607th ACS Air Control Squadron joins AETC

by Senior Airman DAVID OWSIANKA
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

6/28/2013 - LUKE AIR FORCE BASE -- The 607th Air Control Squadron at Luke Air Force Base realigned from Air Combat Command and joined Air Education and Training Command as of Monday.

The squadron moved to AETC because the Air Force needed a unit to manage the undergraduates weapons director training course.

"It's great to be able to keep the training here at Luke where we have outstanding fighter jet training to work with to complete our mission as air combat controllers," said Lt. Col. Sean Slaughter, 607th ACS commander.

The 607th took responsibility for executing undergraduate weapons director training in January. The Arizona Air National Guard's 107th ACS, which will inactivate October 1, had previously been responsible for that mission.

"Despite a host of complex challenges, the transition has been a real success story," Slaughter said. "Active-duty and Air National Guard maintainers and instructors from the 107th, 607th, and 56th Training Squadron have worked as one highly effective team to make this a seamless transition for the weapons director pipeline."

"Having the instructors in one squadron allows for everyone to be on the same page for training," said Tech. Sgt. Michael Gibson, 607th ACS initial qualification training informal training NCO in charge. "The undergraduate course being part of the 607th has allowed for more instructors to teach the class."

The squadron's mission is to train control and recording center professionals. With the new missions, they teach six courses; five initial qualification training, from the old curriculum, and one undergraduate course received from the 107th ACS's curriculum.

The five IQT courses are the weapons director IQT, air weapons officer, interface control technicians, surveillance technicians and electronic protection technicians.

Weapons directors go through the undergraduate course. The course is for enlisted weapons controllers who control combat and support the aircraft in the battle space.

Even though the 607th ACS is changing commands, the mission will stay the same.

"The expertise and support from AETC and ACC have helped ensure that our courses will remain relevant, our instruction remains effective and we will continue to produce the world's greatest air control professionals," Slaughter said.