Aaron T Wilson

Building the Perfect Beast: Proposals to Improve Usaf Targeting Training Aaron T Wilson

Publisher Marketing: The research focuses on the relevance and consistency of training programs for USAF targeting personnel, and asks how effective is the training in light of recent operations such as Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The author interviewed targeting personnel involved in these operations in order to collect observations and reflections of their own training in preparing them to support the Air Operations Center. Research data is also drawn from the US Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF) Lessons Learned document as well as other academic studies on Air Force intelligence manning. The primary instrument of training USAF targeteers is the USAF Combat Targeting Course taught at Goodfellow AFB, TX. However, the research also reveals factors external to the CTC which affect the proficiency of targeting skills across the USAF. The data is presented in a contrasting method to highlight specific deficiencies in initial qualification training of USAF targeteers. The paper then examines solutions to resolve the identified shortfalls. The most radical of these is a recommendation to relocate the CTC to Nellis AFB in order to take advantage of infrastructure such as Combined AOC - Nellis (CAOC-N) as well as the core expertise available through the various Weapons Schools.