A pilot from the 33rd Special Operations Squadron, at Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, became the first member of the 18X career field to graduate from the U.S. Air Force Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Dec. 13.
The Air Commando belongs to the small community of Air Force Special Operations Command pilots who fly remotely piloted aircraft. He found the weapons school’s rigorous 5-month RPA course to be challenging and rewarding.
“The weapons school can be done, but it takes dedication, motivation and a lot of hard work,” said the 33rd SOS pilot. “You have to exhibit top-notch performance 24/7, be the best instructor you can be and remember it is not about you—it is about the team.”
Although weapons school is not a requirement for 18X pilots, the captain wanted to attend after seeing weapons officers in action at a January 2011 weapons and tactics conference.
“That WEPTAC was the first time I had the opportunity to see weapons officers working together,” he said. “They came together, executed a plan and put out a good product. It was impressive to witness.”
What the captain did not realize at the time was the intense commitment the weapons school requires.
“Despite how ready I thought I was, no amount of mental preparation can get you ready for the stress of this course,” he explained. “Although I had done real-world deployments, those did not compare to the RPA course’s level of difficulty.”
The school’s RPA weapon instructor course teaches students to use precision firepower to achieve integrated, synergistic effects to contribute to gaining and maintaining air dominance. The weapons school courses use a building block approach, in which lessons and mission sets get progressively more complex. The training culminates in advanced integration missions conducted at a difficulty level that exceeds what most graduates will face in actual combat. During the course, the students planned and executed missions that included Army, Navy and Marine personnel.
The RPA WIC also spends extra time teaching basic skill sets to prepare their students for the rest of the syllabus. According to Lt. Col. Bryan Callahan, 26th Weapons Squadron commander, most RPA students arrive straight out of combat.
“They typically have experience with only one mission type,” stated Callahan. “My RPA WIC instructors have to first get students up to speed on foundational elements, such as briefing and debriefing, and the aspects of other mission sets.”
The 33rd SOS pilot’s work experience demonstrated what Callahan envisions.
“I had the opportunity to explain AFSOC’s mission and capabilities to others,” he continued. “In the real world, some platforms may only talk to AFSOC assets over the radio.”
For the Air Commando, working with other airframes and mission types was a highlight.
“AFSOC is focused on its specific mission,” the 33rd SOS pilot explained. “Working with and learning about different assets and mission sets was challenging but valuable. You can read about them in a book, but this was the first time I was exposed to the various missions.”
As the RPA community grows its numbers of 18X pilots, weapons school graduates like the 33rd S0S member will have an important impact.
“RPA will be an 18X-owned community,” Callahan said. “We have to teach them to lead airpower, especially in a joint integrated fight.”