Airport Operations Specialist
$75KHigh match
Growing demand
Live · Guide v1.01C091 · Career GuideValidated · Lightcast Labor DataUpdated · Q2 20262026 Cohort Active
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USAF · 1C091Career Guide · Operations · VWC.CG.1C091.R.04
1C091 · USAF · EnlistedAirfield Management
Airfield Management
Specialist.
Air Force 1C091 (Airfield Management Specialist). 600 hours of formal training translate to 5 validated civilian career pathways with salary bands of $75K–$135K. Sourced from DoD training data and Lightcast labor signals.
Training hours600DoD pipeline
ACE creditACE4 semester hours in Aviation Management
Tech roles4mapped to your code
Civilian pathways5validated
Cert coverage2/5direct + partial
/ 01 · Tech Roles
Roles your code maps to.
Industry tech roles your 1C091 background maps to — picked from BLS-anchored occupations using your training, cognitive skills, and systems experience.
Sort · Match descending
/ 02 · Skill Bridge
The gap, named.
What 1C091 training already gave you, and the specific gaps to close — not a generic checklist.
Already have05
- 01Airfield Management→ Data gathering, interpretation, and presentation
- 02Airfield Construction Coordination→ Project management
- 03Airfield Operations Management→ Systems management and workflow optimization
- 04Situational Awareness and Rapid Prioritization→ Risk assessment and decision-making in complex environments
- 05Airfield Automation Systems (AA)→ Understanding of Airport Operational Databases (AODB)
To learn12
The concrete gap to bridge — specific to the roles above, not a generic checklist.
+SQL for data querying and analysis+Data visualization tools like Tableau or Power BI+Scripting languages like Python or R for data manipulation+Cloud computing platforms (AWS, Azure, or GCP)+Configuration management tools like Ansible, Chef, or Puppet+Containerization technologies like Docker and Kubernetes+Software development lifecycle (SDLC) methodologies+Agile project management frameworks (Scrum, Kanban)+Technical documentation and communication skills+Systems analysis methodologies and techniques+Database management systems (DBMS) concepts+IT infrastructure and networking fundamentals
How VWC fits
Vets Who Code is a free, full-time software engineering accelerator for veterans, active duty, and military spouses. We close the fundamentals — terminal, web platform, AI tooling, portfolio projects — so the rest of this list becomes specialization, not square one.
See VWC Programs →/ 03 · Civilian Pathways
Where your code lands.
Air Traffic Controller
$135KGood match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — FAA Air Traffic Control Certification
Emergency Management Specialist
$78KGood match
Stable demand
Skills to develop
- — HAZMAT certification
- — FEMA certifications (IS-100, IS-200, IS-700, IS-800)
Logistics Manager
$95KModerate match
High demand
Skills to develop
- — Supply chain management certification (e.g., CSCP)
- — Specific industry knowledge
Construction Manager
$98KModerate match
Growing demand
Skills to develop
- — Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- — OSHA safety certification
/ 04 · Hidden Strengths
What the code built.
Cognitive skills your 1C091 training built — and where they transfer in civilian work.
Situational Awareness
Airfield Managers constantly monitor the airfield environment, weather conditions, aircraft movements, and potential hazards to ensure the safety of personnel and aircraft. They must maintain a comprehensive understanding of the airfield's status and be prepared to react to changing conditions.
Transfers to
This translates to the ability to assess complex environments, identify potential risks, and make informed decisions based on real-time information. It's about understanding the big picture and anticipating potential problems.
Rapid Prioritization
Airfield Managers frequently deal with multiple, time-sensitive tasks, such as flight plan processing, emergency response, and coordinating with various agencies. They must quickly assess the urgency and importance of each task to allocate resources effectively and prevent delays or safety hazards.
Transfers to
This skill involves quickly evaluating competing demands, identifying critical issues, and focusing efforts on the most important tasks. It's the ability to maintain composure under pressure and make sound judgments in dynamic situations.
Procedural Compliance
Airfield management is governed by strict regulations and procedures to ensure safety and operational efficiency. Airfield Managers must adhere to established protocols, checklists, and guidelines in all aspects of their work, from conducting inspections to processing waivers.
Transfers to
This skill demonstrates a commitment to following established rules and regulations, ensuring accuracy, and maintaining high standards of performance. It is the ability to understand the importance of protocol and consistently adhere to it.
System Modeling
Airfield Managers must understand how various systems (air traffic control, weather reporting, emergency services) interact to support airfield operations. They use this understanding to anticipate potential problems, coordinate activities, and ensure the smooth flow of air traffic.
Transfers to
This skill involves the ability to visualize and understand how different components of a system work together. It's about identifying dependencies, anticipating potential bottlenecks, and optimizing processes for maximum efficiency.
/ 05 · Non-Obvious Matches
Roles the recruiter won't suggest.
Adjacent civilian roles your training maps to that conventional military-to-civilian advice tends to miss.
Logistics Coordinator
SOC 43-3071.00You've been orchestrating complex operations involving numerous stakeholders and resources. As a Logistics Coordinator, you'll leverage your expertise in planning, coordinating, and executing logistical activities to ensure the efficient movement of goods and materials.
Adjacent · MatchEmergency Management Specialist
SOC 11-9161.00You've honed your ability to respond to emergencies, coordinate resources, and maintain calm under pressure. As an Emergency Management Specialist, you'll apply these skills to develop and implement emergency preparedness plans, respond to disasters, and mitigate their impact on communities.
Adjacent · MatchCompliance Officer
SOC 13-1041.00You've consistently adhered to strict regulations and procedures in your military role. As a Compliance Officer, you'll use your expertise in interpreting and applying regulations to ensure that organizations meet legal and ethical standards.
Adjacent · MatchOperations Research Analyst
SOC 15-2031.00You've developed strong analytical and problem-solving skills through managing airfield operations. As an Operations Research Analyst, you'll use your abilities to apply mathematical and statistical techniques to optimize processes, improve efficiency, and make data-driven decisions for organizations.
Adjacent · Match/ 06 · Training & Certs
What you trained on.
Academy
Airfield Management Apprentice Course
Goodfellow AFB, TX600hHours
15wkWeeks
ACECredit
4 semester hours in Aviation Management
Topics · 8
- Airfield Safety Inspections
- NOTAM Procedures
- Flight Planning
- Airfield Operations Management
- Emergency Response Procedures
- Airfield Construction Coordination
- Aeronautical Information Management
- Air Traffic Control Coordination
Partial coverage · 2
- Certified Member (CM) of the American Association of Airport Executives (AAAE)60%
While the military experience provides a strong foundation in airfield operations and management, the CM certification requires a thorough understanding of civilian airport management principles, FAA regulations specific to civil airports, airport finance, and community relations. Study these areas to bridge the gap.
- Airport Certified Employee (ACE) - Operations70%
The ACE - Operations certification focuses on the day-to-day operational aspects of airports. While the military experience provides a strong foundation, you'll need to study specific FAA regulations, airport safety procedures unique to civilian airports, wildlife management protocols, and emergency response plans tailored for civil aviation.
Recommended next · 03
- Certified Airport Executive (CAE)Adjacent
- Project Management Professional (PMP)Adjacent
- OSHA 30-Hour General Industry Safety TrainingAdjacent
/ 07 · Systems Translation
What you ran, in their words.
Military systems you operated and their civilian equivalents for your resume.
| Military System | Civilian Equivalent | Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Flight Information Publications (FLIP) | Jeppesen Charts, SkyVector, ForeFlight (Aviation Charting and Navigation Apps) | Operations |
| Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) System | FAA NOTAM Search, Aviation Weather Center (AWC) | Operations |
| Base Operations Support System (BOSS) | Airport Management Software (e.g., FlightBridge, ARMS) | Operations |
| Airfield Automation System (AA) | Airport Operational Database (AODB) | Operations |
| Bird/Wildlife Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) Program | Wildlife hazard management programs for airports | Aviation |
| Airfield Suitability and Restrictions Report (ASRR) | Airport facility directory, airport resource management software | Operations |
| Joint Environmental Toolkit (JET) | Environmental Management Information Systems (EMIS) | Operations |
/ Translator · Live
Translate 1C091 into a resume that ships.
Pair this guide with the VWC AI-powered translator: drop in your service record, get back ATS-optimized civilian resume language tuned to the tech roles above.