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RNAS
RAF WSOs will join RN Observers
Culdrose on 750 Naval Air Squadron at RAF Culdrose 1. They will learn the skills they need to operate large multi crew ISTAR aircraft on the Avenger. This includes RADAR, datalink, communications and mission command training. Those that learn to fly here will start their careers on
Poseidon, Rivet Joint or Wedgetail.
RAF
Those destined for careers in Combat Air, on the Lightning or Typhoon, will hone their skills first on the Texan and thence to the Hawk.
Valley
A stepping stone approach is taken to lead the student through a series of exercises to generate them into multi skilled single seat Combat Air Pilots.
Front Line
You are not fully trained as a Pilot, WSO
OCU or WSOp until you pass an Operational Conversion Unit( OCU) on your aircraft
type. Even then the training doesn’ t stop and on your front line squadrons you will need to become Combat Ready or Fully Mission Qualified. After that, further progression in airborne leadership and instructor work ups are the norm. You never stop learning …
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WSOs destined for an RPAS role will continue their training at RAF Cranwell on the WSO Land course