Moody hosts first-ever ALO selection course

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Frances Locquiao
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  With bullets flying, explosions pounding the earth and his soldiers pinned down, a U.S. Army ground commander turns to his Air Force air liaison officer to coordinate the close-air support that has so often been used to save the lives of coalition forces in need.

Until recently, the ALO position was a two-year special duty assignment available only for pilots, but the Air force has now created a new career field open to nonrated officers. For the first time in Air Force history, an ALO selection course was conducted at Moody to search for officers who are fit for the job.

The five-day course was designed to scale down the number of candidates before they are selected to complete the tactical air control party technical school, which consists of 75 days. The 93rd Air Ground Operations Wing created the selection course and conducted the first search. 

"We need to know these candidates possess leadership abilities, physical standards and a positive attitude, which are all necessary qualities to become ALOs," said Tech. Sgt. Iain Stewart, 93rd AGOW. "The selection process ensures they have the chance to successfully pass the TACP tech school." 

Each candidate was required to submit an in-depth application which included letters of recommendation, officer performance reports, medical qualifications, academic achievements, leadership abilities and an essay. 

The applications were then reviewed by a board of members from Air Force headquarters, Air Combat Command and 93rd AGOW. Many officers from all over the world applied for the selection course, but only 15 were invited to Moody. 

The candidates ranged from U.S. Air Force Academy and Air Force ROTC graduates to first lieutenants and captains already in a career field. 

"When I found out that they created a brand new Air Force specialty code for ALOs, I was eager to apply," said Lt. Brian Leen, 17th Air Force intel officer at Ramstein, Germany. "I want to offer my leadership abilities and help build long term relationships with TACPs."
 
The first day began with a physical fitness test consisting of a 1.5-mile run, sit-ups and push-ups. The individuals who passed were then issued equipment and given a few hours to set-up a tent, which they lived in for the week. 

The rest of the course included more physical training, an 8-mile ruck march, introduction to land navigation, training at the 820th Security Forces Group's military operations in urban terrain village and introduction to modern Army combatives.

"There were challenging times, but I kept thinking about how great it would be to work with TACPs," said 2nd Lt. Brian Brittner, U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. "The cadres were awesome--they were very motivating and helped us throughout the course." 

Before the final candidates were selected, the remaining seven individuals were interviewed. 

"I feel really proud to have made it this far," said 2nd Lt. John Day, graduate of the University of Louisville, Ky. "It's not my personality to quit and I wanted to finish the week regardless of what was planned. I hope that I can move forward to the tech school and eventually work in the TACP community." 

Those select individuals who pass the course and interview board are enrolled in the TACP technical school located at Hurlburt Field, Fla. 

Candidates who were medically disqualified or not selected must return to their respective career fields. However, individuals not selected are given another invitation to try out again during the next selection course. 

This year, only five individuals were chosen to attend TACP technical school: Capt. Matthew Kealy, education officer at the University of St. Thomas, Minn., Det. 410, 1st Lt. Brian Leen, 2nd Lt. Brian Brittner, 2nd Lt. John Day and 2nd Lt. Eamonn O'Shea.

"Overall, the first ALO selection course went very well," said Sergeant Stewart. "The cadres are confident in the five individuals chosen. We can now take the lessons learned and re-build the course for future use."