Whats can you tell me about becoming an Air Force Air Liaison officer?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 00:26:46 -0400

I am beginning to near the end of my first enlistment and am wanting to commission as a Air liaison tacpofficer in the Air Guard. I was hoping to learn about how to prepare, what training pipeline is, and ant other tips regarding it. Thanks

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 21 at 2020 12:55 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 21 Mar 2020 12:55:36 -0400

You haven't given us much information in your profile. To commission into the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, or Air Guard you'll need a bachelors degree and meet the other requirements on the Air Force home page (af.mil). If you specifically want to join the Air Guard, then locate a Guard recruiter in the state in which you will settle after your enlistment is complete. Alternatively you can contact a Guard recruiter near you and discuss Guard units that may have missions and manning requiring Air Liaison Officers (ALO).

There are several types of ALOs. Some of the jobs require a rated officer (pilot, navigator, systems operator). Others may require experience as an Air Battle Manager. ALO training depends on the mission requirements the ALO will fill. Some ALOs require air mobility experience while others require close air support experience. Non-rated ALO positions may include working as part of a TACP.

I served as an additional duty ALO (air mobility) with the Alaskan Command including the 172 INF BDE. My training included Air-Ground Operations School (AGOS). All ALOs went to AGOS at the time. Those going to Army Airborne units also went to Jump School. ALOs below the Division level had additional training in working with TACPs. A few officers going to TACP leadership jobs completed additional training in forward air control. As you probably know, NCOs do most of the work at the TACP or forward air controller levels.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 22 at 2020 2:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 22 Mar 2020 14:37:26 -0400

Have you googled it?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2020 9:04 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Mar 2020 09:04:07 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member as the good Col said below, you will need to have your bachelor's first, then contact a commissioning recruiter. You will need to take the AFOQT & score in the top 50% of those taking the test at the same time as you. OTS is 8 weeks.
As far as the IQT, there is a 5-day indoc course, then 85 day 3-lvl course at Lackland. Advanced training follows this:
USAF Combat Survival School (3 weeks)
USA Airborne School (3 weeks)

There are further advanced trainings available once fully trained up to TAC-P:
Military Freefall Parachutist Course
Static Line Jumpmaster School
Military Freefall Jumpmaster School
Pathfinder School
Air Assault School
Ranger School
Special Forces Combat Diver Qual Course
Special Tactics Advanced Skills Course
Combat Medic Course

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Air_Force_Tactical_Air_Control_Party

United_States_Air_Force_Tactical_Air_Control_Party