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SPONSOR ME: The OPSO
specialisation has been approved for the PAF and will be introduced
into service after the appointment of an OPSO specialist sponsor.
Pictured is 92WG’s FLGOFF Henry Mann presenting a pre-flight
ops brief to AP-3C aircrew on exercise.
Photo by LACW Melina Mancuso |
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SUCCESSFUL sorties rely on that certain someone pulling all the strings
together, and the PAF will soon have those ‘special someones’
with the appointment of Operations Officers (OPSOs).
The OPSO role has traditionally only been available in the Reserves until
now, with an exciting change recently approved – the new PAF OPSO
specialisation.
“Its creation within the PAF will provide operations support to squadrons,
wings, HQs, exercises and operational deployments,” DGPERS-AF AIRCDRE
John Hewitson said.
“OPSOs will provide specialist assistance to operational commanders
during the conduct of air operations within single Service, joint and
combined environments.
“OPSOs will be heavily involved in operations planning, the conduct
of air operations and will have a high deployability rate within Australia
and overseas.
“The specialisation will be manned by highly-motivated personnel
with the ability to work within a dynamic operations environment and provide
their commanders specialist advice on the application of air power,”
he said.
The new specialisation was recently approved by CAF AIRMSHL Geoff Shepherd
and will be recruited shortly, once the training, pay and conditions have
been confirmed.
In the interim, DP-AF is calling for expressions of interest from SQNLDRs
who are competitive for promotion, or substantive WGCDRs, from all specialisations,
interested in performing the duties of the OPSO specialisation sponsor.
The sponsor will become the first PAF OPSO within Air Force and will be
responsible for: assisting in the transition of personnel into the specialisation;
assisting in the creation of an occupational specification document; establishing
the specialisation structure; and identifying the location of positions,
as well as the ongoing health of the specialisation.
“The OPSO specialisation recognises an already-important capability
that, up to now, has been resident only in the Reserve,” DP-AF GPCAPT
Bob Rodgers said. “With the addition of operational management skills,
as would be covered on the Combined Air Operations Course, this specialisation
will play a critical role in the conduct of Air Force operations.
“It addresses the identified requirements for specialists in operational
administration, management and planning, and will allow members to stay
close to air operations. For many airmen it also will be a pathway to
commission.”
EOI applications for the OPSO specialisation sponsor close on April 27.
For more information, refer to the EOI published on People Central.
| Calling candidates |
- EOIs are being called from SQNLDRs who are competitve for promotion
or substantive WGCDRs, from any specialisation, interested in becoming
the first PAF OPSO specialisation sponsor.
- The successful candidate will be responsible for management of the
transition process involved and must have prior experience in Air
Force and joint and/or combined operations.
- The OPSO specialisation will initally have a target of 85 personnel
and will be managed within AIROPS in DP-AF. |
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