SOC 55-3011.00
Perform in-flight duties to ensure the successful completion of combat, reconnaissance, transport, and search and rescue missions.
Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
Annual pay range
Not reported in the latest federal data
In short
Air crew members perform critical in-flight tasks to support military missions, including search and rescue, combat, transport, and reconnaissance. Median annual pay and job growth rates for this military career are not reported.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
Perform in-flight duties to ensure the successful completion of combat, reconnaissance, transport, and search and rescue missions. Duties include operating aircraft communications and detection equipment, including establishing satellite linkages and jamming enemy communications capabilities; conducting preflight, in-flight, and postflight inspections of onboard equipment; operating and maintaining aircraft weapons and defensive systems; operating and maintaining aircraft in-flight refueling systems; executing aircraft safety and emergency procedures; computing and verifying passenger, cargo, fuel, and emergency and special equipment weight and balance data; and conducting cargo and personnel drops.
Air crew members handle a wide range of operational duties while in flight. They operate and maintain onboard equipment, which includes aircraft communications, detection systems, weapons, and defensive systems. To ensure the aircraft operates safely, crew members calculate and verify weight and balance data for fuel, passengers, cargo, and emergency gear. They are also responsible for executing safety and emergency procedures, conducting cargo and personnel drops, and operating in-flight refueling systems.
This role requires technical expertise to run satellite linkages, jam enemy communications, and perform detailed preflight, in-flight, and postflight equipment inspections. These professionals must be highly detail-oriented, adaptable, and capable of working under pressure during intense missions. Strong communication skills and teamwork are essential, as crew members must coordinate closely with pilots and ground control to ensure mission success.
Preparation for this career typically begins with enlistment in a branch of the military, followed by specialized military flight and technical training. There are no specific college majors listed in the National Center for Education Statistics crosswalk that directly lead to this occupation.
While military training provides the primary preparation, several civilian certifications are related to the skills used in this field. These include the Aerospace/Aircraft Assembly Maintenance Certification from ASTM International, and the General Class or Technician Class Amateur Radio Service Operator Licenses from the Federal Communications Commission. Other related credentials include the Architectural Apprentice Drafter and Architectural Certified Drafter certifications from the American Design Drafting Association/American Digital Design Association, as well as the Basic Court Security Certification from the National Sheriffs' Association.
The median annual pay and projected job growth for military air crew members are not reported. Because this is a specialized military occupation, compensation is typically determined by military pay scales, which are based on rank, years of service, and active-duty status rather than traditional civilian market rates. Annual job openings and long-term employment projections are also not reported for this specific military family.
Acoustic Sensor Operator · Aerial Gunner · Airborne and Air Delivery Specialist · Airborne Battle Management Systems, Weapons Director · Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) Aircrewman · Airborne Mission Systems · Airborne Missions Systems · Airborne Operations · Airborne Radio Operator/In-Flight Refueling Observer/Loadmaster · Airman
CareerOneStop
What air crew members may need beyond a degree, where a license is required, and what the work pays in each state.
Core certifications employers recognise for this work. Showing 12 of 34.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Your plan
Courses, majors, colleges, scholarships and a timeline for this career, built from your profile.
Written with AI from the BLS, O*NET and CareerOneStop data on this page. Every figure is checked against that data before it is published.
People in this field are known by many titles depending on their specific duties and military branch. Some common titles include Acoustic Sensor Operator, Aerial Gunner, Airborne Radio Operator/In-Flight Refueling Observer/Loadmaster, and Airborne Battle Management Systems Weapons Director. Others may be called Airborne Mission Systems specialists or simply Airmen.
Crew members are responsible for a variety of high-tech systems during flight. They operate aircraft communications, detection equipment, satellite linkages, and systems designed to jam enemy communications. They also manage defensive systems, weapons, and in-flight refueling equipment.
No specific college majors are linked to this career path in the standard educational crosswalk. Instead, individuals typically enter this occupation through military service, where they receive specialized technical and operational training directly from their military branch.
Every figure on this page comes from these public datasets. Missing values are shown as not reported, never estimated.
Version 31.0
Version 2025-35 · Data year 2025
Version 2025 · Data year 2025
Version 2020 · Data year 2020
O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. CollegesRef has modified all or some of this information.
Data from CareerOneStop, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration, with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development). Retrieved November 9, 2026.
Page data updated November 5, 2026.