ASOG Focus Area | Career Management
Source | Logan Aldrich (ASOG Author)
When I was in high school, I struggled to define my future life path. I had no immediate desire to pursue higher education, and I lacked a specific career goal. Like many teenagers growing up in the 2010s, the only things I cared about were playing video games and sleeping.
Following graduation, I faced the reality that I needed to establish myself as a productive member of society. A turning point came through my family member who had a job that was, at the time to me, shrouded in mystery. My only knowledge of his work was that he flew a cool plane and conducted secret missions in various parts of the world. The combination of its classified nature, good financial compensation, and uniqueness was deeply intriguing to me.
I was convinced. I enlisted in the United States Navy with a clear objective: to fly in a plane and operate advanced sensors. Soon after, I arrived in Great Lakes, Illinois, for boot camp. This was the beginning my career as an Airborne Sensor Operator.
The path to operating those systems involved a journey of rigorous training along the way. One of my favorite parts of said training was obtaining my Swim Qualification. Operating an aircraft carries inherent risks, and water survival proficiency is a vital skill in basic airmanship. Having grown up in Florida, I was comfortable in the water, but the training in Pensacola took that to an advanced level. The infamous "Helo Dunker", a simulated helicopter fuselage submerged and inverted, was particularly fun. We completed gear swims in full flight suits, helmets, boots, and survival vests. All that training culminated in a one-mile swim in a flight suit. It was demanding, but ultimately a highly rewarding experience.
Trainees experiencing the Helo Dunker (Source: DVIDS photos by Austin Ingram)
Classified "Paywall"
My journey in the Navy allowed me to serve as a multi-role airborne sensor operator (ASO), training to utilize sensors across diverse mission sets. As an ASO on the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, I had the privilege of learning about and engaging in:
- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW): Hunting and tracking submarines.
- Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW): Searching, detecting, identifying, and targeting maritime vessels.
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Tracking contacts and developing patterns of life.
- Search and Rescue: Locating downed aircraft, missing persons, or capsized vessels.
Much of this expertise is restricted by a classified "paywall" that requires a security clearance to access. Because of this, all the information available to learn is at an unclassified level. In my view, this is the primary barrier to entry for this field. Typically, pursuing this specific career path necessitates joining the military or a law enforcement agency. However, if this work interests you, I highly recommend exploring it; it is a transformative career choice.
Sensor Operator operating an MQ-9 Reaper (Source: DVIDS)
Opportunities Beyond the Military
If you are interested in becoming an Airborne Sensor Operator but prefer to avoid the complexities of security clearances, numerous civilian opportunities exist:
- Aerial Photography
- Aerial Mapping / Surveying
- Aerial Firefighting
Aerial Photography
Aerial photography offers the widest variety of career applications. With technical proficiency and a solid understanding of camera systems, this is a highly accessible entry point into the ASO industry.
- Creative & Artistic: Applications range from cinematic production for Hollywood films to professional landscape and travel photography.
- Real Estate & Construction: Providing aerial perspectives for property layouts, monitoring construction progress, and inspecting rooftops or large-scale sites.
- Scientific & Environmental: Tracking deforestation, agricultural health, wildlife populations, and the impacts of natural disasters.
- Surveying & Mapping: Utilizing Photogrammetry to generate precise 3D models or topographic maps.
As the industry evolves, drone integration is becoming standard. Obtaining an FAA Part 107 certification (or the equivalent in your country) is an excellent strategy for breaking into this field.
Aerial Mapping / Surveying
(LiDAR vs Photogammetry)
Aerial mapping and surveying involve collecting geographic data via drones, aircraft, or satellites. It uses techniques such as Photogrammetry, the science of measuring from photos. Think of it like a giant puzzle, where you overlap aerial photos to build a 2D/3D model. LiDAR is an active remote sensing technology that uses pulsed lasers to measure distances and create highly accurate, 3D representations of physical environments.
This line of work is heavily used in industries such as:
- Construction: Tracking project progress, measuring site volume, and verifying designs.
- Real Estate & Development: Site planning, roof inspections, and property visualization.
- Agriculture: Monitoring crop health, irrigation planning, and tracking growth using thermal or multispectral imagery.
- Environmental Science: Mapping coastlines, flood zones, and forest growth.
Given the industry's shift toward drone technology, your Drone Operator certification remains a vital asset here as well.
Aerial Firefighting
Automated Sensor Operator Software (Source: Overwatch Imaging)
While public perception of aerial firefighting often focuses solely on aircraft performing water drops, ASOs play a substantial role in mission success.
ASOs utilize multispectral imaging sensors integrated with geospatial software to generate real-time fire maps, track flame movement, and identify high-risk zones. Whether operating from small planes, helicopters, or UAVs, ASOs provide the critical intelligence needed to direct ground crews and coordinate airspace for multiple aircraft.
For a really good informational read on integrating UAVs into firefighting, check out this resource.
(Overwatch Imaging TK-8 Smart Sensor)
Wrap up
My entry into the Navy provided access to a niche, high-stakes corner of the ASO world. While much of it remains classified, I am grateful for the journey I remain on. I hope highlighting these alternative ASO roles demonstrates that, while our community is specialized, it is also expansive and filled with opportunity.
I'll leave with some questions:
- How did you get into the ASO world?
- Have you ever considered moving into a different ASO role, such as ISR -> Firefighting?
- How can we make it easier to connect these communities?
Thank you to Patrick Ryan and the ASOG team for the opportunity to share these insights. I hope they contribute to the community and encourage others to pursue new skills.
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