RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Air Force reached a historic milestone Sept. 18 when its first class of enlisted unmanned aircraft systems sensor operators graduated from the Basic Sensor Operator Course here.
The graduates - Staff Sergeants Adam Rosen, Jeremy Reid, honor graduate Jason Peterson, Senior Airman Robert Babian and Airman 1st Class Ronald Shortledge - completed the course's 20 days of training encompassing 168 course hours of instruction, split into six blocks.
Guest speaker Chief Master Sgt. James Guertin, Air Force Personnel Center command career enlisted force manager for the UAS sensor operators, told the distinguished visitors, guests and graduates that the graduation of BSOC 10-01 was starting "a whole new chapter in the Air Force's history."
"You all have taken on a huge role and you have no idea of the path you have started," he said to the class. "You are laying the path. Vigilance is a core competence in the Air Force and you are a big part of this."
The course was written in three weeks by Tech. Sgt. Michael Arroyo, 12th Operations Group Unmanned Aircraft Systems sensor operator instructor supervisor and training development lead. Five weeks later, it was in full swing with the course starting Aug 21.
"From the time the Chief of Staff of the Air Force gave the go-ahead to start the course, it was just eight weeks until this school opened its doors," said Sergeant Arroyo.
Sergeant Arroyo and Master Sgt. Kelsey Gunn, 12th OG UAS sensor operator flight chief, observed flying training, unmanned aircraft systems operations and the imaging analysts who were working as sensor operators to determine what subjects needed to be taught.
"It was a good fix," he said. "The imaging analysts did an outstanding job. But a deeper foundation of knowledge was needed."
Sergeant Arroyo said once he was writing the lessons, Team Randolph came together logistically to craft a school from a vision.
"This facility, six weeks ago, was just an open trailer," he said. "There were no ceiling tiles, wires were hanging down, there were no walls and there was no carpet. So Team Randolph definitely did a first-class job of pulling together to make the magic happen."
Sergeant Arroyo helped make that magic happen also by breaking the knowledge down into a building- block approach. He said the first block he taught was an introduction to unmanned aviation. The second block dealt with sensors and communications; the third block introduced geo-spatial reference systems, while the fourth block taught specifics of each unmanned aircraft.
The fifth block taught the use of full-motion video, aircraft and target orientation and imagery analysis. The sixth block taught operational interface - how the sensor operator fits into the allied combatant commander's battle plan.
The students said the course's step-by-step style prepared them to understand the basics of how UASs are used in combat.
"We're well-prepared because we learned about the terminology of these operations and the equipment used in them," said Airman Babian.
Sergeant Rosen said he learned more than just where sensors fit in in combat. He also learned much about who will be using them and why.
"Now I understand we'll be supporting all forces and several agencies in a really joint environment and not just supporting the Air Force," he commented.
More training is in store for Sergeant Rosen and his four classmates. They'll progress to the Unmanned Fundamentals Course at Randolph, where they'll pair with their officer crew-mate UAS operators. Then the crews will attack Initial Qualification Training, split between Creech AFB, Nev., and Cannon and Holloman AFBs, N.M..
Sergeant Gunn said the training regimen for enlisted sensor operators - which starts with the course he and Sergeant Arroyo helped to craft from an idea -- will improve their skill sets.
"We're creating a better-qualified sensor operator who can get in the fight faster," he concluded.
Sergeant Reid agreed with him and added he's eager to complete the pipeline and enter the fray.
"I just want be operational and to be put where I'm needed," he said.