ALO hopefuls endure assessment course

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Brigitte N. Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Since World War II, air liaison officers have provided advice to commanders in combat to assist ground troops in need. These ALOs were usually fighter pilots until a separate career field was formed for them in 2009.

A group of 32 ALO hopefuls were invited to Moody Dec. 14 for a five-day assessment where they got the chance to try their hand at activities such as land navigation, water confidence and controlling air space.

The men who are successful will attend the tactical air control party technical training in various locations to hone these skills.

"The main two things we're looking at are their potential to get through the TAC-P schoolhouse and their ability to perform as leaders," said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. John Moseley, course assessor and a TAC-P from the 13th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Carlson, Colo. "We put them through these events so we can see them operate at their best and their worst."

Students can be dropped from the course for physical or medical reasons, or self-elimination. If they fail the initial physical ability and stamina test or are medically disqualified, they are allowed to attempt the course again at a later date.

"However, if someone gives up and chooses to quit the course, they are banned by the Air Force from trying to become an ALO again," said Maj. Matthew Kenton, course assessor and ALO from the 15th Air Support Operations Squadron at Fort Stewart, Ga. "We expose them to this training environment so we can see how they handle the mental, physical and emotional aspects of it. We're looking for their motivation and attitude."

The course is open to cadets from Air Force ROTC detachments and the U.S. Air Force Academy as well as current officers.

"When I envision serving my country, being an ALO is what I see myself doing," said 1st Lt. Casey Garner, a combat systems officer from Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. "This career suits my characteristics and I want to lead the most motivated men in the Air Force.

"I trained pretty hard for this, and I'm just trying to embrace it and take it all in. I look forward to starting the pipeline."

Throughout the separate parts of the assessment, the cadre takes notes about each ALO hopeful and compile them at the end of each day to "rack and stack them."
On Dec. 16, the cadre will submit the names of the candidates who they feel have what it takes to become an ALO to the 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing commander, Col. Scott Kindsvater. From there, Air Combat Command will confirm and publicly release them.