231010-F-IE886-1024

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lts. Emelia McLaughlin and Sean Richard, 335th Training Squadron operation analysis students, work on finding the value of functions at Allee Hall at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis students. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

231010-F-IE886-1026

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Emelia McLaughlin, 335th Training Squadron operation analysis student, shows her work in problem-solving at Allee Hall on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis students. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

231010-F-IE886-1131

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Donahue, 335th Training Squadron commander, and operation analysis instructors from the 335th TRS pose for a group photo at Allee Hall on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis students, giving them crucial training for operational success. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

231010-F-IE886-1049

Operation analysis students from the 335th Training Squadron listen to U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Christopher Donahue, 335th TRS commander, explain what they'll be doing in initial skills training at Allee Hall on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis, giving them crucial training for operational success. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

231010-F-IE886-1043

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Jacob Barnes, 335th Training Squadron operation analysis student, poses for a photo at Allee Hall on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis students. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

231010-F-IE886-1146

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Sean Richard, 335th Training Squadron operation analysis student, checks his answers at Allee Hall on Keesler Air Force, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis students, giving them crucial training for operational success. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

231010-F-IE886-1141

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Sean Richard, 335th Training Squadron operation analysis student, works on calculus problems for a warm-up at Allee Hall on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis students, giving them crucial training for operational success. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

231010-F-IE886-1188

U.S. Air Force 2nd Lts. Morgan Strickland and Ke'Andre Brayboy, 335th Training Squadron operation analysis students, work on calculus problems together at Allee Hall on Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi, Oct. 10, 2023. The 335th TRS’s new initial skills training sets a baseline education for Air Force operation analysis students, giving them crucial training for operational success. (U.S. Air Force by Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits)

Leveling the data field

Published Oct. 16, 2023
By Airman 1st Class Devyn Waits
81st Training Wing Public Affairs

KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --

To provide a unified education for students learning how to work as operation analysis officers, the 335th Training Squadron is taking initiative and launching an Initial Skills Training course at Keesler, Oct. 10.

Initially, an IST course wasn’t available for the operation research analyst curriculum. There were two paths students could take: earning a master’s in data science, a certificate in operations research from the Air Force Institute of Technology, or attending the Army’s Operations Research Systems Analysis Military Applications Course at Fort Lee.

This new IST course will standardize an educational baseline and establish an equal starting point for every student. The course has been set up to equip students with an overview of the different tasks they will experience, giving them hands-on practice.

“The 16-week program covers numerous topics and is project based,” said Lt. Col. Christopher Donahue, 335th TRS commander. “Students are going to work through a process on how to solve the problem for their senior leader. They will use what they’ve learned to help their commanders see what decisions can be made and will integrate across multiple warfare domains.”

Because operation analysts provide the information commanders use to make informed decisions, it is crucial that the training students receive in technical training equips them for success in the operational field.

Not only does the course equalize the starting point for students, but it also allows them to enter their career field with a skillset that prepares them to fight against the ever-changing tactics and capabilities of the nation’s enemies.

“As the Air Force grows its data science and tries to make data informed decisions, it's important to have our future analysts come in with an understanding and background of the various duties they’ll be asked to do,” said Donahue. “Our students must be prepared to provide guidance to the commander to help shrink the decision space for the Air Force and our friendly forces versus our adversaries.”