Air Operations (Control) Sergeant

APPLICANTS MUST:

• Be aged 17.5 – 47 years old (Must attest before 48th birthday)
• Have GCSE at Grade C/4-5 or SCE Standard Grades at Grade 2/Scottish National 5 in English Language, Maths and three other subjects
• You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/other nationality
• Commit to a minimum of 3 years post Phase 2 Specialist Training
• Meet the health and fitness criteria
• Pass a Fitness test 

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate air traffic to and from military airfields.
• Become part of the team that order Typhoon jets to scramble and intercept suspect aircraft.
• Control fighter, bomber, surveillance, refuelling and even unmanned aircraft as they support missions at home and overseas.
• Work alongside civilian controllers as an Area Radar Controller making sure military aircraft don’t clash with civilian airliners.
• Give specialist battlespace management support to both UK and international missions around the world.
• Go away on military operations as Tactical Air Traffic Controller - where you will set up temporary runways - or as Weapons Controller.

RECRUIT & NON-COMMISSIONED AIRCREW INITIAL TRAINING

As a direct entrant joining the Royal Air Force at the rank of Sergeant (rank attained upon completion of Non Commissioned Controller training), your career will start with a 10-week Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC) at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire. The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about service life.

Following the Basic Recruit Training Course (BRTC), prospective Weapon Systems Operators and Air Operations (Control) Sergeants, known within the Service as Non-Commissioned Controllers, will complete the Direct Entrant Senior Non-Commissioned Officer (DE SNCO) Course at Airmen's Command Squadron (ACS), RAF Halton. The 8-week training programme will develop the students’ knowledge of leadership within the RAF and increase their understanding of their management responsibilities as SNCOs. The course includes Air Power academic study, Practical Leadership Exercises, an Appraisal Workshop, Interview Techniques and Fitness Development.

SPECIALIST TRAINING

Specialist training is delivered at the Defence College of Air and Space Operations at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire and subsequently, for Weapons Controllers, at RAF Boulmer in Northumberland. This training starts with a Foundation Module and is completed alongside Air Operations (Systems) and (Control) officer students. Following successful completion, you will be assigned to a specialist module in one of the core specialisations: Terminal (Airfield) ATC or Weapons Control. You could return at a later date to complete a short conversion course to allow you to undertake roles in any of the other core areas including Area Radar control.