SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- The 25th Operations Support Squadron hosted its first Initial Intelligence Qualification Course, here, October 21, 2024. Prior to relocating, the IIQC was conducted by the 432nd OSS at Creech Air Force Base, Nev.
“This IIQC is the gateway to MQ-9 intelligence,” said Lt. Col. Van Osterom, 25th OSS commander. “The course’s graduates are critical to enabling conventional MQ-9 combat airpower in support of Combatant Commanders worldwide.”
This course is the steppingstone for intel personnel to become fully trained and informed on their aircraft on the MQ-9 Reaper, whether active duty, guard or reserve.
“IIQC is designed to challenge students beyond what they learned in tech school,” said Capt. Madison Taylor, 25th Operations Support Squadron MQ-9 Alpha Initial Intelligence Qualification Course director. “This is where they begin honing their knowledge on what it means to provide intelligence support to MQ-9s and the significance of that responsibility.”
The IIQC is a five-week course consisting of 34 academic lessons that is then categorized into six blocks: intelligence fundamentals, MQ-9 familiarization, mission partners, threats, mission planning and mission sets. Throughout the course, the Airmen will be tested with critical thinking exercises, quizzes, practical evaluations and lastly an end of course exam to receive their qualification.
The 25th OSS falls under the 25th Attack Group which was stood up as a geographically separated unit of the 432nd Wing at Shaw Air Force Base in 2018.
The group is also the home to the 482nd Attack Squadron, the 50th Attack Squadron, the 20th Attack Squadron, located at Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and the 89th Attack Squadron at Ellsworth Air Force Base, S.D.
“The 25th Attack Group has become the designated hub for conventional MQ-9 operations,” said Maj. Eric Schortmann, 25th OSS director of operations. “Relocating the IIQC to Shaw was one more step to the group fulfilling that role.”