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        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders   A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry, assigned to the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron, flies above the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 3, 2019. The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system, or AWACS, aircraft with an integrated command and control battle management, or C2BM, surveillance, target detection, and tracking platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Snider)A U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry, assigned to the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron, flies above the Arabian Gulf, Dec. 3, 2019. The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system, or AWACS, aircraft with an integrated command and control battle management, or C2BM, surveillance, target detection, and tracking platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Snider)
                
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 Airborne Battle Management - 1A4X1**Mission**
Tomorrow's battles will be won not just with superior firepower, but with superior battlefield information. Air battle managers are trained to manage this valuable information as Airborne Warning Command and Control Systems operators. They operate computerized airborne radar sensors and electronic countermeasure equipment, plus maintain communication nets with ground, air and sea surface units. They also gather, record, display, control and distribute information between ground, air and sea surface command and control units. Air battle managers are on flying status as an aircrew member and are required to fly with the aircraft as part of their duties.U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicolas Queiroz, 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry airborne radar technician, writes down radar data while flying in an E-3 over Southwest Asia, March 12, 2021. Radar technicians are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all radar equipment to ensure technology on board the E-3 can gather and present broad and detailed battlefield information. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bryan Guthrie)U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Nicolas Queiroz, 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry airborne radar technician, writes down radar data while flying in an E-3 over Southwest Asia, March 12, 2021. Radar technicians are responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of all radar equipment to ensure technology on board the E-3 can gather and present broad and detailed battlefield information. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bryan Guthrie)
            
            
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    Royal Canadian Air Force Master Cpl. Kristopher Hann, 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry mission systems operator, looks at a monitor while flying in an E-3 over Southwest Asia, March 12, 2021. During E-3 training and combat operations, allied forces work alongside their counterparts in the U.S. Air Force to help manage the battle space during tactical and strategic missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bryan Guthrie)Royal Canadian Air Force Master Cpl. Kristopher Hann, 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron E-3 Sentry mission systems operator, looks at a monitor while flying in an E-3 over Southwest Asia, March 12, 2021. During E-3 training and combat operations, allied forces work alongside their counterparts in the U.S. Air Force to help manage the battle space during tactical and strategic missions. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bryan Guthrie)
            
            
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    U.S. Airmen assigned to the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron manage the airspace over Southwest Asia, March 12, 2021. In support of air-to-ground operations, the E-3 can provide direct information needed for interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift and close-air support for friendly ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bryan Guthrie)U.S. Airmen assigned to the 968th Expeditionary Airborne Air Control Squadron manage the airspace over Southwest Asia, March 12, 2021. In support of air-to-ground operations, the E-3 can provide direct information needed for interdiction, reconnaissance, airlift and close-air support for friendly ground forces. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Bryan Guthrie)
            
            
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**Qualifications**
Applicants must be eligible to receive a Secret security clearance and have a general score of 55 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test and be able to lift more than 40 pounds. Individuals must also be physically qualified for aircrew duty, according to AFI 48-123, *Medical Examination and Standards, Class III medical standards.***Training**
Individuals enlist to become air battle managers undergo several technical training courses. These include the two-week Enlisted Aircrew Undergraduate Course at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the 17-day Combat Survival Training Course at Fairchild AFB, Wash., the four-day Water Survival-Parachuting Course at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., and the eight-week Airborne Battle Management Systems Course at Keesler AFB, Miss.
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