Operations
The operations career group puts enlisted Airmen at the center of Air Force flight operations. Controllers clear aircraft for landing, weather specialists brief mission planners before every sortie, boom operators fuel jets at 200 knots over open ocean, command post operators route emergency calls to the wing commander at 2 a.m., and radar technicians keep the systems running that tie it all together. Every flight that takes off and lands safely depends on this group.
Seven AFSCs make up the enlisted operations career group, and they cover a wide range of work. At one end you have 1A0X1 In-Flight Refueling, where boom operators physically transfer fuel to receiver aircraft from the back of a tanker during flight, a fully crewed flying position. At the other end sits 1C8X3 Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems, a technical role focused on maintaining the equipment those controllers depend on. Between them are roles in air traffic control, airfield management, command and control, aviation resource management, and atmospheric science.
If you want a job that directly affects every mission on the flight line, this career group is worth a close look. The work spans the refueling boom, the tower cab, the forecast desk, the command post floor, and the equipment bay, so there’s a fit for different strengths and interests.
At a Glance
| AFSC | Title | ASVAB Composite | Training Location | Clearance | Civilian Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1A0X1 | In-Flight Refueling (Boom Operator) | GEND 55 | Altus AFB, OK | NACLC | Commercial Pilot / Aviation Tech |
| 1C0X2 | Aviation Resource Management | ADMI 50 | Keesler AFB, MS | Secret | Administrative Services Manager |
| 1C1X1 | Air Traffic Control | GEND 55 | Keesler AFB, MS | Secret | FAA Air Traffic Controller |
| 1C3X1 | Command Post | ADMI 55 & GEND 67 | Keesler AFB, MS | Secret | Emergency Communications Dispatcher |
| 1C7X1 | Airfield Management | GEND 50 | Keesler AFB, MS | Secret | Airport Operations Specialist |
| 1C8X3 | Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems | ELEC 70 | Keesler AFB, MS | Secret | Electronics Technician |
| 1W0X1 | Weather | GEND 66 & ELEC 50 | Keesler AFB, MS | Secret/TS | Meteorological Technician |
Which Role Fits You?
These AFSCs look similar on paper but feel very different on the job. The right choice depends on where you want to spend your shift and what kind of pressure you perform well under.
You want to manage flight records and aviation pay. The 1C0X2 Aviation Resource Management AFSC is the administrative backbone of every flying unit. ARM Specialists maintain the Aviation Resource Management System (ARMS), track aircrew qualifications, and process flight pay and hazardous duty incentive pay. The ADMI 50 score requirement is the lowest in this group, and Tech School runs about 26 days, the shortest pipeline here. This is the right fit if you want a predictable schedule, an indoor work environment, and a direct path into aviation administration after service.
You want to be in the air on every mission. The 1A0X1 In-Flight Refueling AFSC is a flying position. Boom operators deploy aboard KC-135, KC-46, and KC-10 tanker aircraft and physically transfer fuel to receiver aircraft during flight. The GEND 55 ASVAB requirement is the same as air traffic control, but this career field adds an aircrew flight physical, a strict height requirement (57.5 to 80 inches), and a two-year ADSC after completing training. Flight hours count toward FAA certificates, making this a strong springboard into commercial aviation.
You want to work aircraft in real time. The 1C1X1 Air Traffic Control AFSC puts you in the tower or in a radar facility directing live aircraft. It carries one of the highest minimum ASVAB general scores in this group and requires FAA certification. The job is demanding and intense, but it also has the clearest civilian career path of any AFSC in operations, since FAA controllers are in constant demand.
You want to run the information hub of the installation. The 1C3X1 Command Post AFSC operates the communications and battle staff functions that keep the wing commander informed around the clock. Command post operators handle emergency action messages, track aircraft, and manage crisis communications. This role requires the highest combined ASVAB scores in the group (ADMI 55 and GEND 67) and is a strong fit if you’re organized, steady under pressure, and comfortable with high-stakes communications.
You want to manage the airfield itself. The 1C7X1 Airfield Management AFSC handles the coordination and administration behind airfield operations: inspections, flight planning support, airfield data, and coordination with base operations. It’s the most process-oriented role in the group and the best match for someone who prefers managing systems and procedures over hands-on technical work.
You want to maintain the systems, not operate them. The 1C8X3 Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems AFSC requires the highest electronics score in the group (ELEC 70). You’ll install and repair radar, navigation aids, and meteorological equipment. This role suits people who think in circuits and schematics rather than aircraft movements.
You want to work with atmospheric science and mission forecasting. The 1W0X1 Weather AFSC combines science and operations. Forecasters brief pilots and mission commanders on conditions that could affect the mission or put crews at risk. The dual composite requirement (GEND 66 and ELEC 50) reflects the mix of communication skill and technical knowledge the job demands. Some assignments require a Top Secret clearance for space weather support missions.
The comparison table above shows each role side by side. Use it to check ASVAB requirements before talking to a recruiter.
Common Entry Requirements
All AFSCs in this group require a high school diploma, U.S. citizenship, and a minimum AFQT score of 36 for active duty enlistment. Every role in this group requires at minimum a Secret security clearance, which means a Single Scope Background Investigation before entering the career field. Most operations AFSCs attend Technical School at Keesler AFB, Mississippi, after completing Basic Military Training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX. See each role’s profile below for specific ASVAB scores, training details, and additional requirements.
Career Field Directory
- 1A0X1 In-Flight Refueling (Boom Operator), flying position on KC-135, KC-46, and KC-10 tankers; transfers fuel to receiver aircraft during flight; strong commercial aviation pathway
- 1C0X2 Aviation Resource Management, maintains flight records, tracks aircrew qualifications, and processes aviation pay using the ARMS database; shortest Tech School in the group
- 1C1X1 Air Traffic Control, directs aircraft in tower and radar environments; FAA certification required, strong civilian job market
- 1C3X1 Command Post, operates wing command center communications 24/7, including emergency action message handling
- 1C7X1 Airfield Management, coordinates airfield operations, inspections, and flight data in base operations
- 1C8X3 Radar, Airfield and Weather Systems, installs and repairs radar, navigation, and meteorological systems; highest electronics score required
- 1W0X1 Weather, forecasts atmospheric and space weather conditions for flight crews and mission planners
Related Resources
Explore all Air Force enlisted career paths to compare operations roles against other career groups. If you’re preparing for enlistment, your ASVAB general and electronics scores matter most for this group, the ASVAB study guide covers the subtests that feed those composites.