Career field for UAV operators is in limbo

[unhappycamper]

Career field for UAV operators is in limbo
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 11, 2009 4:36:41 EST

A new career field for sensor operators of unmanned aerial vehicles remains on hold until Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz can sign off on it.

The sensor operator Air Force Specialty Code is included in the 2009 Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory, which had been scheduled for release by Jan. 31. It is unclear when Schwartz will approve the directory, according to Air Force spokesman Ed Gulick.

Sensor operators control the sensor suite on MQ-1 Predators and the MQ-9 Reapers while they communicate with troops and commanders in the war zone and intelligence specialists watching the UAV feed at U.S. bases.

An AFSC change would take enlisted sensor operators out of the intelligence career field coded "1N1XX" and put them in the Unmanned Aerial System Sensor Operator career field coded "1U0XX," according to the directory.

The new career field would help the Air Force address its need for sensor operators, which has skyrocketed along with the demand for UAVs in Iraq and Afghanistan.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/02/airforce_sensor_operator_021009w/%2e