Tyndall graduates first ABM class since Hurricane Michael

Photo By Staff Sgt. Javier Alvarez | Seven newly commissioned Airmen graduated from the Air Battle Manager training program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 22, 2019. Air Battle Managers' primary responsibility includes providing command and control in battle and ensuring combat aircraft find, identify and destroy their targets. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Javier Alvarez)  

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, UNITED STATES

02.22.2019

Story by Senior Airman Javier Alvarez 

325th Fighter Wing

Seven Tyndall Airmen graduated from the Air Battle Manager training program at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Feb. 22, 2019.

Near the ceremonies conclusion, graduates were pinned the signature wings signaling their completion of the ABM course. This was the first ABM graduation since Hurricane Michael hit Bay County, Fla., Oct. 10, 2019.

“This is the culmination of a lot of hard work,” said Maj. Eric Burley, 337th Air Control Squadron assistant director of operations . “Just like every other entity on base we've had to overcome a lot of challenges. So when the students graduate it's a testimony to their character and the character of all their instructors.”

“What I saw out of the team here was a group who faced the brutal reality that there was no turning away from [the devastation of Hurricane Michael], and yet never once did I hear a single person say they were ready to throwing in the towel,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Brian O'Neill, 33rd Fighter Wing group commander.

Air Battle Managers' primary responsibilities include providing command and control in battle and ensuring combat aircraft find, identify and destroy their targets, Burley said.

They do this by providing the pilots with a tactical picture, which increases combat capability and situational awareness. Air Battle Managers also provide early warning for inbound enemy aircraft and direct friendly assets to intercept them.

Airmen completed a rigorous nine-month course of instruction preparing them for duty aboard either the E-3 Sentry Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) and the E-8 Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (J-STAR) aircraft, Burley said.

The 337th Air Control Squadron trains all of America’s Air Battle Managers and is a tenant unit assigned to the 33rd Operations Group, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The squadron's primary responsibility includes training all U.S. Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve officers in command and control mission execution as Air Battle Managers in a variety of weapons systems in support of air expeditionary forces worldwide.

• Date Taken: 02.22.2019
• Date Posted: 02.25.2019 09:41
• Story ID: 311843
• Location: TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US