1A8X2 Airborne (ISR) Operator

Air Force Enlisted Job Descriptions

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Rod Powers was the U.S. Military expert for The Balance Careers and was a retired Air Force First Sergeant with 22 years of active duty service.
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Rod Powers
Updated June 08, 2018

Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Operators are responsible for the following: Flies as primary aircrew onboard a wide variety of aircraft to operate, evaluate and manage airborne ISR information and related ground processing systems; performs identification, acquisition, recording, analysis, and reporting of assigned ISR tasks; provides ISR threat warning support and interfaces with other units; performs and assists with mission planning. Maintains assigned publications and currency items; participates in theater and tactical-level ISR coordination networks; processes analyze and disseminate ISR information obtained from onboard sensors during missions in progress.

Job Training Specialty Qualifications

Knowledge is mandatory of aircraft emergency equipment and procedures; ISR operations and related Cryptologic support to national agencies, service Cryptologic elements and theater elements; joint service relationships and operations concepts; radio propagation and modulation theory; radio communications networks, operations, and techniques; collection and processing procedures; signals and traffic analysis techniques; tasking strategies; reporting concepts, formats and procedures; mission planning and management; basic computer and electronic equipment operations; and methods for handling, distributing and safeguarding information

Initial Skills Training (Tech School):

  • Completion of the Aircrew Fundamentals Course (L3AQR1A812 01AA)
  • Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operator Fundamentals Course (X3AQR1A832 00AA)
  • Apprentice Airborne Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Operator Course (X3ABR1A832  0A1A) 

Required ASVAB Composite Score: G-72

Security Clearance Requirement: Top Secret

Height must not be less than 64 inches or more than 77 inches as defined in AFI 48-123

Physical qualification for aircrew duty according to AFI 48-123, Medical Examinations, and Standards, Class III medical standards

Other Qualifications:

  • Must maintain eligibility to deploy and mobilize worldwide.
  • No record or history of temporomandibular joint pain or disorder
  • Qualification for aviation service according to AFI 11-402, Aviation and Parachutist Service, Aeronautical Ratings and Aviation Badges
  • Must maintain an Air Force Network License according to AFI 33-115, Vol 2, Licensing Network Users and Certifying Network Professionals.