A cut above: B-52 pilot completes AF Weapons School

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Sherri Savant
  • 917th Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AFB, La. --  Set apart from his crew members, Capt. Maury Kent, 93rd Bomb Squadron, now wears the coveted patch with a bull's eye in the cross hairs, signifying his graduation from U.S. Air Force Weapons School.

Having completed the course in December, Captain Kent is one of only eight to have completed the course in his squadron since its reactivation in the Air Force Reserve in 1993.

"This program is a difficult course, and the squadron and I are very proud of Captain Kent's exemplary performance," said Lt. Col. Al Teauseau, 93 BS commander.

Every six months, the weapons school produces approximately 80 graduates who are expert instructors on weapons, weapons system and air and space integration. Of the entire 95 students in Captain Kent's class, there were six students in the B-52 section.

Students are fully qualified instructors, chosen by a central selection board, and among the top of their peers, according to the weapons school fact sheet. "I begged and begged, and finally they gave in," Capt Kent said and quickly clarified he was joking. He was required to be a qualified B-52 instructor with 50 hours of instructor time in the aircraft, in addition to other administrative musts like a top-secret clearance.

The prior F-16 crew chief and father of two assembled a package which went through 10th Air Force and then to Air Combat Command where the final selection was made.

Weapons School students receive an average of 400 hours of graduate-level academics and participate in demanding combat training missions.

"We learned all aspects of employment (of the B-52) from basic employment, through standoff attack and counter sea missions in various threat levels," Captain Kent said.

"It (the course) helped me professionally by opening my eyes to the various methods of best employing the BUFF. Personally, the course allows the practice of leadership, prioritizing and discipline--all of which apply to everyday life," he said.

Endurance was "key," Captain Kent said. Countless hours were spent in academics, mission planning, paper preparations, giving briefings and flying, encompassing approximately 14 hours each day.

In spite of six months of rigorous training, Captain Kent said he feels his efforts will "open doors for me in the future, set me up for advanced responsibility, and perhaps help with future promotions."

"As a Weapon School graduate, Maury has become my technical advisor on weapons, weapon-related systems and tactics," Colonel Teauseau said. "He will also be responsible for identifying weapons or tactics deficiencies and advising me on possible actions or remedies. Allowing Captain Kent to be absent from squadron for six months demonstrates the importance we put on this position and the benefit we expect in the future."