Change to AOBD SQTR

[disamuel]

Hello-

I am in the middle of training for AOBD. The on-line SQTR (as opposed to the paper one) is now requiring that as a prerequisite you be an FRO. (There is a separate task that was there before that only required that you complete the on-line training.

My question is this: Is this new requirement retroactive? I was already a trainee before this showed up. I am guessing that I will need to be appointed as an FRO to complete the rating but I don't know for sure, and I don't know how easy it is to get appointed,

Thanks in advance for any help.

[JeffDG]

Hello-

I am in the middle of training for AOBD. The on-line SQTR (as opposed to the paper one) is now requiring that as a prerequisite you be an FRO. (There is a separate task that was there before that only required that you complete the on-line training.

My question is this: Is this new requirement retroactive? I was already a trainee before this showed up. I am guessing that I will need to be appointed as an FRO to complete the rating but I don't know for sure, and I don't know how easy it is to get appointed,

Thanks in advance for any help.

I noticed that too...I did a trainee AOBD at a SAREX last month, and it was a PITA to get someone else to release the flights.  I had requested "mission FRO" (ie. doesn't do day-to-day FRO duties) after that SAREX, and now have that for my second mission this weekend.

Talk to your commander and get the process kicked off. 

[ammotrucker]

All you need to do is go take the online test.  It will filter back into the SQTR.  You do not need to be placed on orders for this tasking. 

[JeffDG]

All you need to do is go take the online test.  It will filter back into the SQTR.  You do not need to be placed on orders for this tasking.

That's for the "Advanced Training" item "Complete FRO Training".

What's he's talking about is the new prerequisite simply labelled "Flight Release Officer"

[ammotrucker]

So what your saying is that all AOBD must be placed on orders.  That will not happen in a lot of Wing

[Eclipse]

So what your saying is that all AOBD must be placed on orders.  That will not happen in a lot of Wing

Branch directors and higher will need to be approved at the wing level, anyway.  If you are on a track to complete that
and garner the approvals, becoming an FRO will not be an issue.

If not, then it is irrelevant.

[ammotrucker]

I know that mission based achievements for AOBD must be placed on the Wing Approval list.  But, you must be at minimum Trainee status before that can happen.  As for a general FRO my Wing happens to place restrictions on the amount of FRO's other then MBS qualified

[RiverAux]

When this became a requirement is cut the number of our AOBDs significantly because the Wing was more or less forced to cut down the number of approved FROs to a minimum (basically one per squadron and a few extras) because every FRO had to turn in a monthly report.  Since the ones that did the FRO training for missions don't do any of that stuff they wouldn't be turning in the monthly reports and would get the wing in trouble. 

I haven't paid much attention to this since it happened and don't know if they've come up with a more elegant solution, but this one certainly limits the pool of upper level mission staff.

[ammotrucker]

That would be electronic flight release.  Once you get into that program, you don't have to file a monthly report they pull it offline.  It only becomes a problem if you have no internet.

[JeffDG]

That would be electronic flight release.  Once you get into that program, you don't have to file a monthly report they pull it offline.  It only becomes a problem if you have no internet.

Even if you don't have internet when you do the release, the FRO needs to enter it into the eFlightRelease within 24 hours.

[RiverAux]

That would be electronic flight release.  Once you get into that program, you don't have to file a monthly report they pull it offline.  It only becomes a problem if you have no internet.

Things must have changed then.  Good to know.