School of Air Warfare: Home page
Introduction
Welcome to the School of Air Warfare (SAW) website. SAW's motto is 'Teach to Fight' and represents our core mission 'to train and develop Air Warfare professionals for Mission Command excellence in a networked environment'.
The staff at SAW are justifiably proud of the work that they do in developing RAAF Air Combat Officers (ACOs) and RAN Observers to a standard that allows them to complete Operational Conversions. Furthermore, SAW provides photographic training through our Photographic Training Flight and post-graduate Weapons Employment training.
The introduction of the RAAF ACO category has presented SAW with an exciting opportunity to develop a training course that will produce Air Warfare professionals capable of conducting 21st Century warfare. The first ACO course kicked off in January 2008 with new courses starting every 3 to 4 months.
By exploring the SAW website, you will find more information on the ACO course and all of the other courses and activities conducted at SAW.
Courses
ACO Course
The ACO ab-initio course includes a common module of training, followed by a specialist stream module. The ACO common course includes ground school, simulation and airborne training and focuses on common ACO skills that are critical to achieving the vision for the category, such as mission systems management and mission command skills. The common flying training on the King Air 350 is essential to allow a valid streaming decision and is the minimum required to instil the fundamental principles of mission systems management and command. The common course is 26 weeks long.
Following completion of the common course, students are streamed into one of three specialisations. These are air battle management (ABM), maritime patrol and response (MPR) or air combat and tactical support (ACATS). Students streamed for ABM conduct specialist training in the ground environment at the Surveillance and Control Training Unit (SACTU) at RAAF Williamtown. Students streamed for MPR or ACATS receive additional specialist training at SAW, including ground simulation and airborne training events. All specialist training is 14 weeks long and upon completion all students graduate at SAW, and are awarded the Southern Cross brevet.
Following graduation as ACOs, ABM ACOs proceed to the ground ABM environment for a consolidation period prior to possible selection for AEW&C employment. MPR ACOs proceed to 292 SQN for an operational conversion to the AP-3C and ACATS students are further streamed to fast jet, or transport. Fast jet ACOs proceed to 79 SQN for lead-in training on Hawk aircraft prior to F/A-18F 'Super Hornet' conversion. Transport ACOs proceed to 285SQN to conduct C-130H conversion training.
Candidates for Air Combat Officer Basic Course must have graduated from either RAAF Officer Initial Course or the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), the NZDF equivalent, or a foreign service equivalent.
Candidates must have graduated from, and have currency in, the ADF Military Aviation Medicine (AVMED) Aircrew Initial Course, the NZDF equivalent, or a foreign service equivalent. COMSURV training will be required prior to operational service within the FEGs.
Navy Observer Course
The aim of the RAN Basic Observer Course (BOC) is to graduate trainees as Observers with the necessary skill, knowledge and attitudes which will enable them to successfully undertake operational conversion in selected RAN aircraft types, and discharge their duties as Naval Officers.
The duration of the course is 38 weeks, and subjects covered include Aerodynamics and Performance Navigation, Airmanship, Flight Safety & Emergency Procedures, Meteorology, Communications, Recognition, Radar, Weapons Systems, Electronic Combat, and Search & Rescue operations.
Navigation instruction begins with Basic techniques, moving on to Visual and then Systems Navigation techniques. Further instruction, essential to develop the knowledge and skills required of an Observer, train the student in both the theory and practical application of Maritime Operations, and the complete process of flight tasking, beginning with planning, the conduct of preflights, completing the airborne mission, and after flight duties. All flight operations are conducted on the Beechcraft King Air 350 (B300), and the student will complete 31 flights for total flight time of over 90 hrs.
Types of mustering/specialisations involved
Many different mustering and background are employed at the School of Air Warfare to conduct training. These include Air Combat Officers, Navy Observers, Pilots, Civilian Aviation Instructors, Communications Information Systems Controllers, Clerks and Australian Public Service staff.
Equipment used
The School of Air Warfare use the King Air 350 aircraft operated by No 32 Squadron to conduct all airborne training of students.
King Air 350 Kingair
Contact Information
School of Air Warfare
Building 135
RAAF Base East Sale
Victoria, 3852
Australia
Enquiries (03) 514 66382
Fax no. (03) 514 66389
