Basic Sensor Operators stand at attention during the 558th Flying Training Squadron’s final Basic Sensor Operator Course class, February 14, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. BSOC was developed to prepare Airmen for MQ-9 Reaper operations and is being replaced by the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator Course to prepare the next generation of aviators for remotely piloted and manned aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Col. Craig Dearden, 558th Flying Training Squadron commander, speaks to the graduates of the 558th Flying Training Squadron’s final Basic Sensor Operator Course class February 14, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. BSOC was developed to prepare Airmen for MQ-9 Reaper operations and is being replaced by the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator Course to prepare the next generation of aviators for remotely piloted and manned aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

U.S. Air Force Col. John Anderson (left), 12th Operations Group commander, hands the Airman First Class Keaton Hartung (right) the Air Education and Training Command, Commander’s Award during the 558th Flying Training Squadron’s final Basic Sensor Operator Course graduation, February 14, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. BSOC was developed to prepare Airmen for MQ-9 Reaper operations and is being replaced by the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator Course to prepare the next generation of aviators for remotely piloted and manned aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

Graduation attendees listen to Chief Master Sgt. Eric Vasquez, 344th Training Squadron, Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence commandant, speak during the 558th Flying Training Squadron’s final Basic Sensor Operator Course class February 14, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. BSOC was developed to prepare Airmen for MQ-9 Reaper operations and is being replaced by the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator Course to prepare the next generation of aviators for remotely piloted and manned aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

U.S. Air Force Airman listen to Chief Master Sgt. Eric Vasquez, 344th Training Squadron, Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence commandant, speak during the 558th Flying Training Squadron’s final Basic Sensor Operator Course class February 14, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. BSOC was developed to prepare Airmen for MQ-9 Reaper operations and is being replaced by the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator Course to prepare the next generation of aviators for remotely piloted and manned aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Eric Vasquez, 344th Training Squadron, Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence commandant, speaks to the graduates of the 558th Flying Training Squadron’s final Basic Sensor Operator Course class February 14, 2025, at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas. BSOC was developed to prepare Airmen for MQ-9 Reaper operations and is being replaced by the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator Course to prepare the next generation of aviators for remotely piloted and manned aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Sean Worrell)

Final Basic Sensor Operator Course Class Graduates at JBSA-Randolph

Published Feb. 20, 2025
By Sean Worrell
12th Flying Training Wing

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas --

The U.S. Air Force marked the end of an era Friday as the 558th Flying Training Squadron graduated its final Basic Sensor Operator Course (BSOC) class of 13 students at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph. The course, originally developed to prepare airmen for MQ-9 Reaper operations, is being replaced by the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator Course (MOAC), reflecting the Air Force’s evolving mission requirements and focus on multi-domain operations.

Chief Master Sgt. Eric M. Vasquez, Career Enlisted Aviator Center of Excellence, 344th Training Squadron, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony. Vasquez praised the graduates for their dedication and readiness to take on future challenges in multi-domain operations.

“Graduates, you are a part of this BSOC legacy,” Vasquez said. “You’re the last to complete the BSOC, but you also stand as the bridge to the future of enlisted aviation. You’re closing out a multi-year effort that changed the capability and flexibility of the enlisted aviator corps. The pride I feel looking at you today is immeasurable because I know the capability, the dedication, and the expertise you’re going to bring to the enterprise.”

For over 15 years, BSOC has been the cornerstone of sensor operator training. During its tenure, the course trained more than 4,700 students across three airframes: the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Reaper, and RQ-4 Global Hawk. These graduates went on to support five Combatant Commands and flew in seven major operations across the globe, providing essential intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities.

“This graduation marks both an end and a new beginning,” said Lt. Col. Craig Dearden, commander of the 558th Flying Training Squadron. “For more than a decade, BSOC graduates have played a critical role in global operations, shaping the way we employ Remotely Piloted Aircraft in combat. As we transition to MOAC, we are preparing the next generation of Airmen to operate across all domains and meet the challenges of tomorrow’s battlespace with greater adaptability and expertise.”

BSOC was specifically designed to help future MQ-9 sensor operators succeed at their respective Formal Training Units (FTUs). It provided students with fundamental knowledge of the MQ-9 aircraft, datalink management, and the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum. The curriculum also included weapon types and effects, remotely piloted aircraft mission sets, and MQ-9-specific Crew Resource Management (CRM) simulator events conducted with student pilots.

MOAC is aircraft-agnostic, preparing students for a wider range of roles across multiple platforms. Graduates will now be sent to seven different aircraft and crew duty descriptions under the Multi-Domain Operations Aviator (MOA) portfolio. The curriculum provides a deeper understanding of the electromagnetic spectrum, radar, networking, threat systems, and advanced communications.

Students will also continue CRM simulator events with student pilots, enhancing teamwork and operational coordination. The expanded scope of training aims to produce versatile airmen capable of adapting and thriving in continuously evolving Joint All Domain Operations (JADO) environments.

“The sunset of BSOC does not signal the end of learning the foundational MQ-9 knowledge; rather, it is a transition to a broader and more dynamic framework,” said Technical Sgt. Charles Jones, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Training, 558th FTS. “The transition to MOAC provides aircrew with the flexibility and agility they need to stay ahead in a world where the demands on our capabilities are dynamic and ever-growing.”

“The success of BSOC graduates over the years speaks for itself,” added MSgt Robert Bonugli, Operations Superintendent of the 558th Flying Training Squadron. “While we close this chapter, we’re opening another that will take our Airmen to the next level. MOAC will develop operators who can think critically, adapt to diverse operational environments, and contribute to the Air Force’s evolving mission in ways we haven’t seen before.”

The 558th FTS launched the first MOAC class on January 28, 2025, as part of its broader effort to modernize training and increase readiness for future conflicts, where air, space, and cyber domains will be increasingly interconnected.

As the Air Force turns the page on the Basic Sensor Operator Course, the 558th Flying Training Squadron and its students reflect on BSOC’s legacy and look forward to shaping the next generation of multi-domain aviators ready for tomorrow’s battlefields.