General Info:
AWs operate airborne radar and electronic equipment used in detecting, locating, and tracking submarines. They also operate equipment used in antisurface, mine, and electronic warfare, and play key roles in search-and-rescue and counter-narcotics operations.
AWN. Aviation Warfare Systems Operator - Non-Acoustic (AWN) perform general flight crew duties; operate various USW and non-USW-related sensor systems to extract, analyze, and classify data obtained; perform specified pre-flight, in-flight, and post-flight operations in a multitude of naval aircraft serving anti-surface, USW, mine countermeasures, electronic, counter narcotics, and land and sea rescue warfare missions.
AWH. See above, except assigned to helicopters.
What They Do:
The duties performed by AWNs include:
- operating airborne electronic equipment;
- performing tactical duties as flight engineers, load masters and reel operators on TACAMO aircraft;
- operating airborne mine countermeasure equipment;
- acting as flight communications operators;
- performing duties as flight attendants.
- Operate various airborne acoustic and non-acoustic electronic equipment to provide tactical input to undersea and surface warfare operations.
Qualified individuals who enlist in the Aircrew program will perform tactical crew duties and in-flight maintenance in jet, turboprop and helicopter aircraft. They will undergo some of the most demanding physical training in the military. Aircrewmen are guaranteed class "A" technical school, aircrew training, and if they choose, rescue swimmer training. After successful completion of training, aircrewmen are assigned to flight duty in sea or shore-based squadrons. Because of the potentially hazardous nature of flight duty, aircrewmen receive "flight pay" in addition to other pay and allowances. Active duty obligation is five years -- four years regular enlistment with a one year extension for prolonged training. Enlistees enter as E-1s (recruits). Qualified individuals who volunteer for rescue swimmer training are advanced to E-2 (apprentice) after successful completion of recruit training, and are advanced to E-4 (petty officer third class) upon successful completion of both rescue swimmer school and class "A" school. The Aircrew program is physically and mentally demanding; however, the person who accepts the challenge is rewarded with extra pay and exciting duty assignments.
AR + 2MK + GS = 196
Other Requirements:
Must have normal color perception. Must have normal hearing. Must have no speech impediment. Security Clearance, (SECRET) Requirement. 60 month obligation. Must be U.S. citizen.
Notes: Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20. When specified, uncorrected visual acuity must not be greater than that indicated (i.e. 20/100), and must be correctable to 20/20. Volunteer for flight duty, flight physical. No history of drug abuse.
Technical Training Information:
NACCS, Pensacola, FL 26 calendar days
Pensacola, FL -- 115 calendar days
Working Environment:
AWs may be assigned to P3 squadrons, Helicopter Combat Support Squadrons (HC), Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadrons (HS) or Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) sea or shore duty in any part of the world. They work in hangars, shipboard hangar and flight decks, administrative and operations departments. AWs often work on flight lines at air stations, usually around a high level of noise.
Advancement (Promotion) Trends
College Credits for Training/Experience
Career Progression: Not Available at this Time.
