ARMY AIR CORPS SOLDIER (GROUNDCREW)

The Job

Army Air Corps (AAC) Soldiers play a vital role in ensuring the Army’s battlefield helicopters are prepared and ready to depart on various missions, such as attacking enemy armour, liaison, carrying out surveillance and identifying enemy targets. They work with helicopters, including the Lynx and Apache, and are expected to defend the Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) and Forward Arming and Refuelling Points (FARPs) they use.

The Right Job For Me?

To become an AAC Soldier, you will need to be physically fit and have a good standard of education. You will need to work in a team as well as using your own initiative to work as an individual. You must be alert, versatile, self-reliant and ready to accept responsibility from an early stage in your career.

What Skills Will I Learn?

AAC Groundcrew Soldiers learn how to re-arm and refuel Army helicopters and take on other responsibilities, including helicopter troop drills, underslung loads and helicopter marshalling.All AAC Soldiers are trained to drive and service the Land Rovers and Large Goods Vehicles (LGVs) used by the AAC, including the 20,000-litre refuelling tanker and Detachable Rack Operating Platform Systems (15-tonne flatbeds).AAC Communications Specialists learn how to provide essential communications to both aircraft and other Army ground units.There is also the opportunity to train as an Aviation Support Specialist, preparing a variety of loads for air delivery and controlling Tactical Landing Sites, as well as storing and maintaining all kinds of supplies and munitions.

What Training Will I Do?

Initial trainingAAC Soldiers begin their career with a 14-week course at Army Training Regiment (ATR) Winchester. All female training is conducted at ATR Pirbright. Here you will learn military skills such as foot drill, how to handle and fire a weapon, how to live and work in the open and how to tackle an assault course, as well as developing your stamina and fitness. You will be stretched further than you thought possible and toughen up both physically and mentally. Having successfully mastered these basic military skills, you will take your place in the Passing Out parade in front of an invited audience of parents, relatives and friends.Further trainingAfter completing initial training, trainees move to the School of Army Aviation at Middle Wallop, Hampshire. Here they conduct their special-to-arm aviation training, which comprises:Groundcrew (three weeks)Communications (three weeks)Aircraft Refuelling (four weeks)Attack Helicopter Introduction (two weeks)After finishing this training, recruits undertake a 12-week LGV course at the Defence School of Transport at Leconfield in East Yorkshire.

What Qualifications Could I Get?

After gaining your initial Category B driving licence, you will pick up further Category C+E licences during your training. You will also have the opportunity to earn an Apprenticeship in Aviation and Telecommunications and a City and Guilds in Hazardous Materials (HAZMAT).