479th Flying Training Group

The 479th Flying Training Group (479 FTG) is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola (NASP). A component of Air Education and Training Command (AETC), the 479 FTG was activated on 2 October 2009.

A Combat Systems Officer (CSO) is an aeronautically rated officer in the U.S. Air Force. CSOs are responsible for in-flight air operations and aircraft mission/weapon systems. CSO students receive their wings upon completion of Undergraduate CSO Training (UCT) which is only accomplished in the 479th FTG.

Often the Mission Commander in USAF aircraft, the CSO manages the mission and integrates with the Aircraft Commander to collectively achieve and maintain situational awareness and mission effectiveness. CSOs are trained in navigation, the use of the electromagnetic spectrum, and weapon system employment. Aircrew responsibilities include mission planning, mission timing, weapons targeting and employment, threat reactions, aircraft communications, and hazard avoidance.

CSO training merges three previous USAF navigator training tracks formerly known as the Navigator (NAV) track, the Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) track and the Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO) track into one coherent training cycle in order to produce an aeronautically rated officer who is versatile and universally adaptable to a constantly changing threat environment.

In 2009, most Navigators still in an operational flying status, or due to rotate back to an operational flying assignment, transitioned to CSO.

Group Commander: Col John R. Edwards