Back
af air warfare officer 01 full width

Airforce

Air Warfare Officer

Aboard the long-range surveillance P-8A Poseidon aircraft, you will learn to operate and manage the complex hi-tech systems used to conduct a wide variety of missions including anti-submarine warfare, resource protection and search and rescue.

Mō te tūranga

About the role

  • Specialisations

    Flight operations | Navigation | Officers & Management

  • Entry type

    Officer entry

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Location

    Varied

As an Air Warfare Officer (AWO), you’ll hold a key position flying and operating one of the Air Force’s newest, most capable and technologically advanced aircraft – the P-8A Poseidon of the Airborne Surveillance and Response Force.

On completion of initial and conversion training, you will take your place as a junior Tactical Coordinator (CO-TAC) onboard the P-8A. You will be working alongside the Tactical Coordinator, Sensor Operators and Pilots to manage the range of tactical missions carried out by the aircraft.

This is a challenging and ever-changing role that will take you the length and breadth of the country and to a variety of locations overseas. You will play a pivotal role in a highly capable crew providing the coordination of operational missions.

The P-8A Poseidon aircraft perform a variety of roles including search and rescue, long-range flights, fisheries patrols, anti-submarine warfare, operational tasking, disaster relief and aeromedical evacuation.

Requirements

Basics

  • Must be 18 years old by the time you graduate from recruit course.
  • Eligible to meet national security clearance criteria, as stipulated by the Government's Protective Security Requirements.
  • Pass an Aircrew and Officer Selection Board.

Education

Minimum: NCEA Level 2 certificate.

Find out more about the NCEA levels and certificate requirements

 

Scholarship Entry: The Air Force offer undergraduate scholarships for candidates who demonstrate the qualities required to become an Air Warfare Officer.

The scholarships are:

  • RNZAF Undergraduate Scheme: Study at an approved university institution of your choice while the Air Force covers your fees and a living allowance on a 'year for a year' return of service basis.

View our Scholarship programs.

Citizenship

There are strict citizenship and security requirements to gain the required TSV security clearance for this trade.
Find out if you’re eligible here.

Period of Service

Your training is some of the most thorough and advanced in the world. On graduation from the AWO Course, you’ll be contractually obliged to serve another six years in the Air Force. Bear in mind that your role changes every day and you’ll be working in a range of jobs both here and possibly overseas.

We offer guidance on entry requirements in our eligibility section. Apply if you're uncertain, as we’ll work through the criteria with you to determine if you can proceed.

“Seeing the cool stuff we do, is a lot more than just the flying.”

Holly Graham

Flight Lieutenant

  • Job on base

    On board the P-8A you will manage a range of high-tech systems to achieve the aircraft’s operational mission. You will play an integral role when it comes to flight planning for an upcoming mission. Prior to departure you will have planned the mission utilising specialised mission planning software. This will enable you to confirm accurate fuel requirements, payload available, make threat assessments and employ tactics to counter these threats.

    Airborne you will be responsible for real-time mission planning, working closely with the Pilots. You will manage all tactical communications including military datalinks, satellite and voice communications, to pass information with other military or government agencies.

    Your duties on the P-8A will require you to be alert and adaptable to a dynamic and potentially hostile environment. You could be responsible for relaying time critical targeting information to friendly fighters or warships prior to strikes or reconnaissance on targets of interest. When conducting low level operations the AWO coordinates closely with the pilots and radar operator to ensure the aircraft flight path is safe from hazards such as land, airspace or hostile units.

  • Job on deployment

    Whilst on operations, your job gets even more interesting. For an AWO, flying tactically is both demanding and rewarding. You will be briefed by intelligence specialists prior to the flight and you will plan to use techniques to ensure that the mission is completed safely and expeditiously. You will draw upon your experiences during training and on exercise to overcome time and environmental restrictions in the area of operations.

    Your role is to ensure the safety of the aircraft in a busy airborne setting. With an array of sophisticated navigation equipment, you will have the most situational awareness of the aircrew on the plane.

    In addition, you will process any new information the crew received inflight and make an informed decision on its impact on the mission. It is because of the dynamic nature of the job and variety of tasks performed, that the role of the AWO is one of the most exciting trades in the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

Career progression and training

01Basic Training

02Job Training

03Ongoing Training

04Career Progression

Benefits & allowances

Earn a competitive salary while training or learning your trade, along with additional allowances for time spent in the field, at sea, overseas, or deployed on operations.

In addition to salary and allowances, other benefits of joining the New Zealand Defence Force include:

  • Access to your Service marae or tūrangawaewae
  • Sponsored tertiary study programmes at all levels
  • Free access to gyms and swimming pools on camp and bases
  • Opportunities to travel
  • Free and subsidised medical and dental care
  • Subsidised food and accommodation on camps and bases
  • Free and subsidised insurance cover
  • Help to buy a home and save for retirement

Salary & benefits

Careers in the Air Force are well-rewarded, as well as being diverse and exciting. As you become more experienced and move up through the ranks, gaining additional skills and qualifications, you will see your salary rise accordingly.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

20220909 NZDF R1055140 005

Am I fit enough?

If you want to be part of the NZ Defence Force you need to be medically and physically fit for military duties worldwide.

Medical & Fitness
Air Force Application Process 20240920

The application process

Your step-by-step guide on what to expect at various stages of the application process, specifically for military roles.

Application process
airforce generic base for roles

Ready to start your Air Force career?

APPLY NOW

Tūranga whaipānga

Related Roles

af air warfare specialist square 03 20230126 v2

Airforce

Air Warfare Specialist

Flight operations | Intelligence, IT & Communications

General entry

As an Air Warfare Specialist your primary role is to operate the P-8A Poseidon’s highly advanced sensor systems to collect and analyse information.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Ohakea

Helo Loadmaster square (2018)

Airforce

  • Active Intakes

Helicopter Loadmaster

Flight operations

General entry

As an RNZAF Helicopter Loadmaster you are a key member of 3 Squadrons Helicopter capability. 3 Squadron operates a modern helicopter fleet, comprising five Agusta 109 light utility helicopters and eight NH90 medium lift helicopters. Once qualified, you can expect to be employed across a wide range of missions in support of the New Zealand Army, Navy, Police and a host of other government agencies within New Zealand and overseas.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $98,000

  • Location

    Ohakea

RNZAF PILOT ROTARY HERO

Airforce

Pilot

Flight operations | Navigation | Officers & Management

Officer entry

You will understand why this is one of the most sought after careers in the Air Force as you take the controls of the most awesome military aircraft in our fleet.

  • Under training

    $68,103

  • Future potential earnings

    $140,000

  • Location

    Ohakea