Operations Specialist – Royal Air Force (Regular)
RAF · On-Site
As an RAF Operations Specialist, you will be at the front of military Air & Space Operations, protecting the UK and supporting missions globally. You'll work as part of a team making real-time decisions that have a direct impact on national security. This is a role where every day is different and what you do really matters.
Initial annual pay: £27,200+ plus benefits
What will you do?
Operations Specialists deliver Air and Space Power through three dynamic career pathways: Flight Operations, Air Defence, and Space Operations. This can mean working in control centres, aerodrome operations and space operations facilities.
Typical roles include:
- Being part of the team that keeps military aircraft flying, supporting missions from routine operations to real-world deployments
- Supporting the UK's air defence and Quick Reaction Alert Fighter Jets
- Monitoring and identifying aircraft in UK and international airspace
- Detecting ballistic missile launches and hostile threats from space
- Planning missions, operational support and command and control functions
Operations Specialists provide direct support to aircrew, Operations Managers and air traffic control in a variety of roles. In support of aircrew, you could be employed in a squadron operations room, responsible for maintaining aeronautical information, operating the mission support IT used by aircrew, managing airspace bookings; all of which are critical to the safe and expeditious conduct of the mission.
You could also be required to operate ground to air radio equipment and provide specialist knowledge and advice during the mission planning stages of flights. Alternatively you could be employed in station operations and flight planning.
What happens after applying
Joining the RAF takes several steps. The purpose of this process is for us to gauge whether you’re the right person for the RAF and for you to show us all of your skills and experiences that have made you who you are.
1. Aptitude test
2. Selection Interviews
3. Health Assessment
4. Fitness Test
5. Acceptance
6. Training
Perks & benefits
Skills required
Problem-solving
Decision-making
Communication
Teamwork
Analysing information
Managing risk
Performing under pressure
Managing competing priorities
Qualifications required
Age
You must be aged 16 – 47 years old (must attest before 48th birthday).
Education
As a minimum, you will need 2 GCSEs (or acceptable equivalents including Functional Skills) at Grade 4/C or Scottish National 5 at Grade C in English and Mathematics/Application of Maths.
Nationality & residency
You must be a citizen of the United Kingdom or holder of dual UK/other nationality. You should have resided in the UK for the 5 years immediately preceding your application, but candidates with a minimum of 3 years may be considered. You will be expected to achieve the security clearance of Security Check (SC).
Selection & fitness
Pass the Defence Aptitude Assessment, meet the health and fitness criteria and pass the Pre-Joining Fitness Test (2.4km run).
Commitment
Commit minimum 3 years post Phase Two Training.
Training you'll get
Phase one – Basic Recruit Training (10 weeks, RAF Halton)
The course is designed to help you adjust to a military environment. As well as fitness and military training, you will also learn about the RAF lifestyle.
Phase two – Specialist training (9 weeks, RAF Shawbury)
Your Phase 2 training takes place on the Air & Space Operations Specialist Course (ASOSC). The course begins with a four-week Air Awareness module covering military aviation, meteorology, air operations and air defence principles. You will then complete specialist training in Air Traffic Management and Airfield Operations, using realistic simulators, practical exercises and operational scenarios. Personnel selected for Air Defence or Space Operations roles will undertake additional specialist training before joining their first operational unit.
First tour
Your first tour will provide valuable operational experience in one of the core Operations Specialist pathways. You could find yourself coordinating military aircraft taskings, supporting Air Traffic Control, enabling military airspace operations, monitoring activity within UK airspace, contributing to air defence operations, or supporting UK Military Operations globally.
Continued development
Throughout your career, you will undertake regular Continuous Professional Development (CPD) activities to build on your operational knowledge, specialist skills and leadership abilities, with access to specialist qualifications and leadership courses.
Future prospects
After completing your first year of service, you will be eligible for promotion to Air Specialist (Class 1), subject to successfully completing your Professional Workplace Assessment and achieving the required operational standards.
Following your first tour, you have the opportunity to move to a different career pathway across Flight Operations, Air Defence and Space Operations, with tours available throughout the UK and overseas. Opportunities may include squadron operations supporting frontline aircraft such as Typhoon, F-35 Lightning, E-7 Wedgetail, P-8 Poseidon and Un-Piloted Air Systems, working within the National Air & Space Operations Centre, supporting Joint and NATO Headquarters, or contributing to UK Space Command activities.
Promotion beyond Air Specialist (Class 1) is achieved through competitive selection and demonstrated performance. As you progress up the ranks, you will undertake leadership and management training through the Aviator Command School and may move into supervisory, managerial and specialist appointments.
The skills, experience and qualifications gained will provide a strong foundation for careers in operations management, aviation, project management, training, information management, emergency planning, defence, government and other professional sectors.
The essentials
Hours, commitment and the dates that matter.
Training provider
Delivers the training for this role and manages your application.
