Air Warfare Instructor Course (AWIC 24) commences for the Royal Australian Air Force – Part One
Photos and story by David Campion
The fourth biannual AWIC is well underway for 2024. The six-month course will comprise the following Diamond series of exercises:
• Diamond Shield 14th March to 27th March
• Diamond Spear 14th May to 24th May
• Diamond Storm 12th June to 26th June
What is AWIC?
The inception of AWIC in 2017 marked a significant evolution from the original Fighter Combat Instructor Course (FCI). This transition was a testament to the RAAF’s adaptability and commitment to meet the growing demand for integration and coordination across all defense platforms, which aligns with the transition to a fifth generation fighting force (Plan Jericho). Drawing inspiration from the USAF’s experience converting to the USAF Weapons School, the RAAF aimed for an integrated multiplatform approach for course delivery, moving away from the traditional fighter centric FCI course.
As part of the transformation, AWIC was given its own budget and brought under the Tactics and Training Directorate, part of the newly formed Air Warfare Centre, in 2016. No. 88 Squadron was created to oversee syllabus development and course delivery.
The goal of the AWIC is to train subject matter experts who are knowledgeable, humble, and approachable, with the ability to integrate resources across the five domains of warfare (Air, Land, Maritime, Space, and Cyber).
Since its inception in 2017, AWIC has fostered strong collaboration with the USAF. Over the last three courses, the USAF has provided Red Air assets from the 18th Aggressor Squadron and heavy bomber support with the deployment of B-52S, B1-B, and B-2s.
• Fighter Combat Instructor for F-35A Lightning
• Fighter Combat Instructor for F-18F Super Hornet
• Growler Tactic Instructor for EA-18G Growler (GTI)
• P-8A Poseidon Maritime Combat Instructor (MCI)
Editor’s note: a pair of older PC-9s from 2017/2019 Exercises
• No. 4 Squadron Combat Control Instructor (CCI)
• C-130J Hercules Mobility Tactics Instructor (MTI)
• E-7A Wedgetail Airborne Early Warning and Control Instructor (AEW &CI)
• Fighter Combat Instructor for Air Battlespace Management
• Intelligence Combat Instructor for Intelligence workforce (ICI)
Candidates are chosen based on their operational experience (at least one large force employment exercise), demonstrated leadership skills and academic ability.
Students undergo six months of intensive instruction and assessment in Advanced Tactics and Techniques, Leadership and Command, Operational Planning, and Mission Execution involving simulation and live exercises. The course has a significant academic component covering warfare doctrine, military strategy, international relations, and aerospace technology.
Diamond Storm forms the final integration phase of the exercise, where students’ knowledge and skills are pushed to their limits with increasingly difficult scenarios. To succeed, students must use the lessons learned from the first two exercises to craft a solution.
The final mission of the course is an Offensive Counterair Strike on the host RAAF Base named Dawn Strike. Students and Instructors form the aggressing force. Completing the mission marks the end of the AWIC; upon returning to base, candidates perform high-speed low altitude passes before landing, celebrating the course’s end. On landing, an informal graduation ceremony is held in front of gathered friends and family. The following evening, a formal graduation dinner concludes the six-month course.
