Policy Changes Announced For Commercial And Instrument Rated Pilots

Air Force officials here are seeking combat systems officers for unmanned aircraft systems pilot duty, and interested commissioned Airmen have until Nov. 20 to volunteer for the training.

CSOs within the grade of lieutenant through major are eligible, and applicants must also have between two to 13 years of total active federal commissioned service and 24 months time on station by Dec. 1.

"This is a great opportunity for officers wanting to directly contribute to Air Force operations through the growing UAS mission," said Lt. Col. Jeffrey Kwoka, the UAS career field manager. "Airmen who complete the training will possess the 18X Air Force specialty code and become permanent UAS assets."

CSOs without a commercial instrument rating are eligible to apply for this training, he said.

Other requirements to apply for CSO positions are:

• Have a top secret-sensitive compartmented information clearance or be able to get one.
• Be worldwide deployable with no medical limitations.
• Have a recommendation from wing commander or operations group commander holding the grade of colonel.

Air Force officials will notify selected Airmen via e-mail sometime in December. Training will begin in January 2010.

Related to the request for volunteers, Maj. Gregory Nita, the chief of UAS and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assignments at the Air Force Personnel Center, added there's a policy change affecting CSOs with a commercial certificate and instrument rating.

"After June 1, 2010, all CSOs interested in UAS pilot duty will be required to attend the full UAS pilot training course and become a permanent 18X asset," Major Nita said. CSOs with a commercial certificate and instrument rating who are interested in going directly to UAS formal training unit's prior to that cut-off date should self-identify to their assignments officer no later than Dec. 31.

FMI: www.af.mil