Magnuson Larry D. The future of the Air Force Navigator

Research report. A defense analytical study submitted to the faculty in fulfillment of the curriculum requirement. Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 1989. - 73 p.Remarks on the historical, current, and primarily the future role of the United States Air Force Navigator. Special emphasis is made on the future opportunities in four areas: operational, staff, command, and promotion. Operational areas deal with the decreased need for navigators in modern aircraft where computerized systems have replaced the need for a "celestial" navigator. Staff areas deals with both the rated staff and the rated supplement. With the current pilot shortage, more of these staft positions may open up and with them the increased opportunity to excel. Command opportunities are highlighted with the reality that although operational command positions continue to be exploited by navigators, they should prepare themselves, through the rated supplement, for highly demanding support command positions. Promotions at the senior officer levels are explored in that there appears to be a direct relationship with staff and command experience. Conclusions are made on the future of the Air Force navigator based on significant decisions currently being discussed on the restructuring of staff and rated supplement opportunities for all officer crewmembers.