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Tanker Pilot

Specialty Summary. Pilots tanker aircraft and commands crews to accomplish air refueling, airlift, training, and other missions. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

Plans and prepares for mission. Reviews mission tasking, intelligence, and weather information. Supervises mission planning, preparation and filing of flight plan, and crew briefing. Ensures aircraft is preflighted, inspected, loaded, equipped, and manned for mission.

Pilots aircraft and commands crew. Operates aircraft controls and equipment. Performs, supervises, or directs navigation, in-flight refueling, and weapons delivery.

Conducts or supervises training of crewmembers. Ensures operational readiness of crew by conducting or supervising mission specific training.

Develops plans and policies, monitors operations, and advises commanders. Assists commanders and performs staff functions related to this specialty.

Specialty Qualifications:

Knowledge. Knowledge is mandatory of theory of flight, air navigation, meteorology, flying directives, aircraft operating procedures, and mission tactics.

Education. For entry into this specialty, an undergraduate degree specializing in physical sciences, mathematics, administration, or management is desirable.

Training. The following training is mandatory as indicated:

For entry into this specialty, completion of Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT).

For award of AFSC 11T2X, completion of transition and operational training in the suffix specific aircraft.

Experience. For upgrade to AFSCs 11T2X/3X, unit commander determines proficiency based on performance, experience, and completion of minimum training requirements.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

For award and retention of this AFSC, current aeronautical rating and qualification for aviation service as pilot.

For award of AFSC 11T3X, certification of aircraft commander qualification by appropriate operations authority.

Specialty Shredouts:

A...KC-10
B....KC-135
L....C-12 Companion Trainer Program (CTP)
M...MT-37 Accelerated Copilot Enrichment (ACE)/CTP
N...T-38 ACE/CTP
P....SUNT (T-1/T-2/T-34/T-38)
R.... Flight Screening Program (FSP) Instructor (T-3/T-41)
S....SUPT Phase II Instructor (T-37)
T....SUPT Phase III Instructor (T-1/T-38)
U ...Air Liaison Officer (ALO)
Y...General
Z....Other