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Coast Guard AMS

Uncle Fester

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Do we have a "stupid questions about the Coast Guard" thread?

There was a discussion about NAO wings on another thread, and I found this nugget on Wiki:

"The Coast Guard authorized the Aviation Mission Specialist designation on August 26, 2003... Aerial Ice Observers (from the International Ice Patrol) as well as Sensor System Operators, Tactical Systems Operators, Aviation Gunners and Aviation Medical Technicians are eligible for designation. Coast Guard Aviation Mission Specialist personnel wear the same uniform insignia as Naval Aviation Observers."

My question is, what are Sensor System Operators and Tactical Systems Operators? I assume they're SOs on the fixed-wings, but isn't that a job done by regular ol' Aircrewman? Or isn't it, in the Coasties?
 

Whitefoot

Well-Known Member
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Do we have a "stupid questions about the Coast Guard" thread?

There was a discussion about NAO wings on another thread, and I found this nugget on Wiki:



My question is, what are Sensor System Operators and Tactical Systems Operators? I assume they're SOs on the fixed-wings, but isn't that a job done by regular ol' Aircrewman? Or isn't it, in the Coasties?

I will try to answer this Active OS2 in the Coast Guard. The SSO or TSO is generally an enlisted OS or IS on fixed wing aircraft. Though having an OS on a plane is dying breed nowadays, having been replaced by the IS rating. A couple of OS folks can, after completing a similar syllabus on their own time, receive the Aviation Mission Specialist Wings.

Hope this helped.
 

Uncle Fester

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Sure...but why have OSs and ISs doing those roles at all? As opposed to regular aircrew, I mean.

I'm sure there's a reason, just curious what it is.
 

Whitefoot

Well-Known Member
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I would assume it comes down to the training. OSs and ISs, for the most part, work with C4ISR systems more regularly than our AMT, AET, and AST (Maintenance, Electronics, and Survival, respectively) guys and gals do. The real answer to that question, I belive would be with the rating force master chief. He is actually trying to remove all the OS legacy billets from Air Stations. Then it will just be the ISs that are doing it until they decide they would rather training and aircrewman to do it.
 
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