The second cohort of Australian-trained air defence artillery fire control officers graduated from their course at RAAF Base Williamtown on September 19.

Designed to train officers in the integration of ground-based air defence into an air battle, the course teaches them to integrate with air tactical command-and-control agencies for effective employment of land defensive fires.

Known as the Air Defence Artillery Fire Control Officer (ADAFCO) course, it was run by Army Headquarters (AHQ) and facilitated by Air Force’s Surveillance and Control Training Unit, and included two United States Army personnel for the first time. 

This was the second course run by Australia since certification. Previously, all ADAFCO training was conducted in the United States by the US Army.

Major Talal Moutrage, the senior ADAFCO at AHQ’s Land Capability Division, highlighted the significance of graduating US Army ADAFCOs from the Australian course. 

“[This] is a strategically important milestone for the ADF’s integrated air and missile defence capability, as it demonstrates the proficiency and standards of our training, and tactical interoperability,” Major Moutrage said.

“The graduation of the two US Army students is significant for the US Army as it is the first time that the US has recognised ADAFCO training and qualifications outside of their Air Defense Artillery School within the Fires Centre of Excellence.”

'[This] is a strategically important milestone for the ADF’s integrated air and missile defence capability, as it demonstrates the proficiency and standards of our training, and tactical interoperability.'

For Major Moutrage it was the culmination of five years’ work. 

“As the concept of ADAFCOs is new to Australia, a large part of this package of work was the education and demonstration of the value of this critical controller capability,” he said.

“Conducting the training alongside [Surveillance and Control Unit] ensures that our ADAFCO training and joint integration is standardised with RAAF as best practice.”

Students graduating from the Australian ADAFCO course can work interchangeably with US Army counterparts.

“The US is our major coalition partner within the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility, and the ability to be interoperable ensures that we are able to be more effective in how we execute command and control during operations,” Major Moutrage said.

US Army representatives visited RAAF Base Williamtown to present the students with their US Skill Identifier graduation certificates at the end of the course. 

“This is something that is not earned easily. For the US to certify the Australian ADAFCO course and recognise our graduates demonstrates the hard work that has gone into this milestone,” Major Moutrage said. 

The course is now ready for transition to the School of Artillery’s Air and Missile Defence Wing, which will run future ADAFCO courses in cooperation with Surveillance and Control Training Unit.