Fort McCoy, Wisconsin (May 17, 2025): A single miscommunication between Air Force pilots in the air and Army troops on the ground can be catastrophic. To prevent this, the Air Force operates a special school, hosted by the 435th Training Squadron, designed to eliminate such confusion between air and ground units.

Officially called the Air Mobility Liaison Officer (AMLO) Qualification Course, the program focuses on drop zone control and landing zone safety. To qualify for the training, Students must be rated pilots or navigators and are hand selected. During the course, students study everything from doctrine and command relationships to the complexities of aircraft landing and drop zones. They also learn proper radio procedures and the cultural differences between the Air Force, Army, and Marine Corps.

AMLOs are embedded with Army and Marine units to act as translators who understand the language and cultures outside of the Air Force. During the six weeks of class instruction, future AMLOs receive hands-on experience communicating and coordinating with Marine and Army units during aircraft takeoff, landing, and airlift drops. They also learn how to advise ground commanders on the different air mobility options at their disposal.

During drop zone control exercises, students practice calling in airdrops and directing aircraft to the release point. Part of an AMLOs’ duty is to check landing conditions, such as ruts on the runway or trees that obstruct a pilot’s view and then communicate these obstacles to incoming air crew.

AMLOs have been key contributors to the Air Force and Department of Defense air mobility mission for decades, especially during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Today, AMLOs continue to play a vital role as “translators” that speak foreign languages like “Army” and “Marine.”