F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --
Every aircrew member, parachutist, and operational support flyer that performs crew duties, or missileer that performs alert duties, is managed by the host aviation resource management office and squadron aviation resource management office.
Requirements include in- and out-processing, incentive pay validation, and validating flying qualifications among other duties to ensure the safety and mission ready status of the crew members.
“Many people aren’t aware of what we do in the HARM and SARM offices,” said Airman 1st Class Madison Pate, 90th Operation Support Squadron aviation resource manager. “HARM manages the overall career and special pay data for our crew members, while SARM manages the combat mission ready status of our members.”
Aviation resource managers ensure crewmembers have met all requirements to fly or perform alert duties prior to the mission.
Interpersonal communication skills are paramount. At times the HARM and SARM have to advise crewmembers that they cannot perform aircrew or alert duties until they perform particular training items or turn in specific documents.
“Having to inform an officer that they can’t perform duties until they complete their requirements can certainly be a stressful situation for an Airman,” said Airman 1st Class Katherine Bowers, 90th Operation Support Squadron aviation resource manager. “That said, the people we have in our office do a really good job of using the wingman concept and helping each other out whenever they need it.”
Customer service skills aren’t necessarily a requirement in all jobs within the Air Force. Aviation resource management however, happens to be one that does require them.
“I love that we are able to build such a strong rapport with the customers we deal with on a daily basis as well as my co-workers here in the office,” Pate said.
Aviation resource managers are the people behind the scenes helping to keep air crew members and alert crew members up to date so they can do their jobs.
“At times, it can seem that our career field isn’t important,” Bowers said. “I try to remind myself at these times that every time I see an Air Force aircraft fly overhead or see nuclear deterrence on the news, there was an aviation manager who helped those aircrews and alert crews get their jobs done.”