Air Warfare Specialist
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About the role Career progression and training Salary and benefits Entry requirementsAs an Air Warfare Specialist your primary role is to utilise the P-3K2 Orion’s highly advanced sensor systems to collect and analyse information in the aircraft’s area of interest.
- ServiceAir Force
- SpecialisationAviation
- LocationWhenuapai
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Starting Trade Training$64,177
About the role
As an Air Warfare Specialist your primary role is to utilise the P-3K2 Orion’s highly advanced sensor systems to collect and analyse information in the aircraft’s area of interest. To achieve this, you’ll be responsible for the effective operation of a number of high-tech onboard systems including the radar, electronic surveillance, electro-optics, magnetic anomaly detector and acoustic sensor systems.
Your role will include processing, analysing, classifying and filtering the information gathered prior to it being used by your fellow crew members to aid in the tactical employment of our aircraft and to guide civilian and military response units. You will be involved in a range of tasks including Search and Rescue Operations, Military Operations, Fisheries Patrols, Airborne Surveillance and Military Exercises.
You will also be expected to carry out tasks common to all aircrew positions, including flying support, human and crew resource management, teamwork, mission support, and aircraft-related tasks such as monitoring of aircraft systems and emergency procedures.
The great thing about my role is you get to work in a crew. You get to be cohesive as a group of people; grow, develop and learn together.
Daniel Ross-Murphy
Corporal
Career progression and training
Basic Training
Job Training
(12 weeks) Location: RNZAF base Woodbourne (near Blenheim)
Upon successful enlistment into the Air Force you’ll be posted to RNZAF Base Woodbourne (near Blenheim). Here you’ll do 12 weeks of basic military training to find out if you’ve got what it takes to be in the Air Force, and learn various subjects including:
- Organisation and Administration
- RNZAF Customs and Protocol
- Drill and Parades
- Military Field Skills and Weapon Training
- First Aid, and Search and Rescue Techniques
- Physical Fitness
Following 12 weeks basic military training at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, you’ll be required to pass a four-week Corporal Qualifying Course to confirm your rank as Acting Corporal. You’ll then be posted to 42 SQN to complete an 8 week Combined Non-Commissioned Officer Aircrew Course, covering generic aircrew subjects as well as Aviation Medicine and Survival training. You will then be posted to 5 SQN to begin training in your specialist role as an Air Warfare Specialist.
As part of the Orion Conversion Course, your training as an AWS will consist of a nine-month residential course at RNZAF Base Auckland covering general aircraft safety precautions and emergency procedures, security, computer management, data handling systems, communications, radar theory and systems and electro optics. Your flying is carried out on a P-3K2 Orion aircraft and your training will culminate with a First Voyage, where you will conduct tasking and training in the Pacific.
Salary and benefits
Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.
$50,597
Under Initial Training
$64,177
Starting Trade Training
$122,331
Future Potential Earnings
Figures updated on July 1st 2023
Benefits and allowances
Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.
In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:
Free and subsidised medical and dental care
Access to subsidised equipment on camp and bases
Subsidised food on camps and bases
Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
Subsidised accomodation on camps and bases
Free and subsidised insurance cover
Help to buy a home and save for retirement
Opportunities to travel
Competitive superannuation
Entry requirements
Basics
Education
Fitness and medical
Citizenship
Period of Service
- You must be 17 years or older.
- Meet the citizenship & security requirements to gain TSV security clearance for this trade.
Minimum: NCEA Level 2 with a minimum of 12 credits in each Level 2 English, Mathematics and a Science subject.
To be competitive: NCEA Level 3.
Find out more about the NCEA levels and certificate requirements
- You must be medically fit for service.
- Colour perception restrictions may apply.
There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required TSV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.
There may be a return of service period for this trade.
Please contact our 0800 number or talk to your Candidate Experience Facilitator for more information.
Ready to start your Air Force career?
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