337th Air Control Squadron


The 337th Air Control Squadron is part of the 33d Fighter Wing, an Air Education and Training Command unit, based at the United States Air Force's Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.
The squadron's present mission was activated at Tyndall in 1947, making it the base's oldest surviving mission. During the past decades, radar operations and maintenance has been taught to tens of thousands of personnel of all ranks.

Mission

The 337th is primarily responsible for the initial training of all Active duty, Air National Guard, and reserve Air Force Air Battle Manager officers in command and control mission execution. The squadron also provides training international officers in command and control operations, as well as providing command and control support for Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor initial and transition training at Tyndall AFB.

History

Following the 325th Fighter Wing's change to Air Combat Command, the 325th Air Control Squadron training mission was transferred to the 337th Air Control Squadron under the 33d Fighter Wing.

Current operations

As of January 2012 the squadron instructs five comprehensive courses. The primary course is the nine-month Undergraduate Air Battle Manager Training course, where officers learn everything from radar theory to large force employment. Graduates of this course receive follow-on assignments to the combat Air Forces to perform air battle management in the Control and Reporting Centers or on the E-3 AWACS or E-8 Joint STARS aircraft. Additional courses include the Battle Manager Instructor Training Course, which teaches air battle managers from different backgrounds the skills necessary to instruct undergraduate students, and the Air Weapons Officer/Weapons Director Initial Qualification Training Course, which teaches previously qualified air battle managers and weapons directors the art and science of controlling live aircraft. The 337th ACS also conducts the International Air Weapons Controller Course and the Theater Air Operations Course, where officers from around the world are introduced to weapons control and theater air operations.
In addition to the F-22, the squadron also assisted with the training of F-15 Eagle pilots until their departure from Tyndall in 2010.

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