Fairchild Air Force Base launches KC-46 Weapons Instructor Course

Fairchild Air Force Base, located in Washington state, has taken a significant step in enhancing its training capabilities with the creation of the KC-46 Weapons Instructor Course (WIC). This initiative involves the recruitment of experienced KC-46 Pegasus pilots to shape the course and curriculum for future graduates.


The 509th Weapons Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base has spearheaded this effort by enlisting six skilled KC-46 instructor pilots from different units across the Air Force. These pilots are working collaboratively to develop a comprehensive syllabus and curriculum that will define the skills and knowledge required of future KC-46 WIC graduates.

Leading this initiative is Major Ian Maier, a member of the KC-135 Weapons Instructor Course cadre also assigned to the 509th Weapons Squadron. He is mentoring the initial cadre of the KC-46 WIC. These six initial members are participating both as students and instructors, a unique approach that ensures the courseware, flight components, and mission-specific learning objectives are effectively validated.

According to Major Kristi Miner, one of the KC-46 WIC initial cadre members and also assigned to the 509th Weapons Squadron, the creation of this new course significantly contributes to the overall effectiveness and agility of the Air Force’s Rapid Global Mobility. She explains that any weapons instructor course aims to develop experts in the tactical use of aircraft, which The 509th Weapons Squadron at Fairchild Air Force Base has spearheaded this effort by enlisting six skilled KC-46 instructor pilots from different units across the Air Force. These pilots are working collaboratively to develop a comprehensive syllabus and curriculum that will define the skills and knowledge required of future KC-46 WIC graduates.

Leading this initiative is Major Ian Maier, a member of the KC-135 Weapons Instructor Course cadre also assigned to the 509th Weapons Squadron. He is mentoring the initial cadre of the KC-46 WIC. These six initial members are participating both as students and instructors, a unique approach that ensures the courseware, flight components, and mission-specific learning objectives are effectively validated.

According to Major Kristi Miner, one of the KC-46 WIC initial cadre members and also assigned to the 509th Weapons Squadron, the creation of this new course significantly contributes to the overall effectiveness and agility of the Air Force’s Rapid Global Mobility. She explains that any weapons instructor course aims to develop experts in the tactical use of aircraft, which is especially crucial for the KC-46 due to its status as a new asset in the Air Force fleet.

The decision to establish the KC-46 WIC at Fairchild Air Force Base is founded on the base’s extensive expertise in tanker employment and its history of running successful Weapons Instructor Courses. The 509th Weapons Squadron’s long-standing experience in producing skilled weapons officers makes it a natural fit for this responsibility.

The path forward for the KC-46 WIC involves the initial cadre members instructing the course among themselves starting in January 2024. This internal training process is aimed at validating and refining the course content. The first official class of KC-46 WIC students is anticipated to commence in July 2024.

Major Miner highlights the value of cross-community collaboration between the KC-135 and KC-46 units. She emphasizes that graduates from the KC-135 program will benefit from being better-equipped KC-46 planners due to the shared expertise and knowledge exchange facilitated by the presence of the KC-46 WIC within the same base.is especially crucial for the KC-46 due to its status as a new asset in the Air Force fleet.

The decision to establish the KC-46 WIC at Fairchild Air Force Base is founded on the base’s extensive expertise in tanker employment and its history of running successful Weapons Instructor Courses. The 509th Weapons Squadron’s long-standing experience in producing skilled weapons officers makes it a natural fit for this responsibility.

The path forward for the KC-46 WIC involves the initial cadre members instructing the course among themselves starting in January 2024. This internal training process is aimed at validating and refining the course content. The first official class of KC-46 WIC students is anticipated to commence in July 2024.

Major Miner highlights the value of cross-community collaboration between the KC-135 and KC-46 units. She emphasizes that graduates from the KC-135 program will benefit from being better-equipped KC-46 planners due to the shared expertise and knowledge exchange facilitated by the presence of the KC-46 WIC within the same base.

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