AES Ops: Changes taking flight
by Stela Susic
They know only the words “exciting” and “dynamic” can properly describe their careers as airborne electronic sensor operators (AES Ops). As the crewmembers that operate airborne sensors on CP-140 Auroras and Sea King maritime helicopters, they help defend Canada’s sovereignty and support Canadian missions abroad.
“In 24 years, there’s never been a dull moment,” says Warrant Officer Brad Sapelak, from 12 Wing Shearwater. “I've served on two tours, numerous deployments and countless exercises. There is no other military occupation I’d prefer to the AES Op.
“The future is rife with excitement and potential as we face many significant changes,” he adds, “including a new recruiting process, and occupational growth which is a result of expanded operational functions.”
These changes are coming—and fast—keeping AES Ops on their toes. The CF is shifting its recruitment efforts into high gear and overhauling the occupation by opening doors to the best and the brightest talent outside the military. This marks a change in a process that was traditionally only open to CF personnel through an occupational transfer. Kicked off in this month, the three-year direct-entry trial aims to attract the talent that might otherwise go to other employers looking for similar skill sets.
In addition, the AES Op occupation will soon take over the CP-140 acoustic sensor operator’s function from air combat systems officers (formerly known as air navigators), as well as duties operating unmanned aerial vehicle electronic sensor systems.
Directorate of Air Personnel’s Lieutenant-Colonel Donald Albert says even without these occupational changes, being an AES Op offers a diverse, evergreen working environment. “Technology keeps changing and you work as part of a team,” he says, “so you must be mentally flexible to do this job.”
Sergeant Jay Krzywonos, a 17 Wing Winnipeg AES Op instructor, agrees. “When I was in the Navy and a Sea King was embarked, I had a glimpse of how exciting and challenging this job is,” he says. “Now, in just more than two years, I’ve been involved in patrols off the west coast, several large naval exercises in San Diego, medical evacuations, and a tour of the Arabian Gulf. I also had the opportunity to work with the RCMP, the US and Canadian Coast Guard, and other government agencies. It’s exciting and rewarding at the same time.”
If that’s not enough, the operators’ working environment will be modernized, too. Delivery of the new Cyclone helicopters to replace the Sea Kings is scheduled to begin in late 2010.
Of course, the perks aren’t bad, either. “The travel has to be one of the more attractive aspects of the job,” says Sgt Chris Culligan, an AES Op instructor at 17 Wing Winnipeg. “They can range in duration from a couple of days to a few months. I have visited the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Curacao and El Salvador, among others.”
With this kind of excitement, who wouldn’t want to be an AES Op?