Planning and Exercise Specialist

• Conduct operations exercise and training scheduling; develop operational plans and programs; develop and manage contingency and emergency plans for wing execution
• Develop and coordinate wing operational training plans; evaluate effectiveness of exercise and training programs; interpret and disseminate exercise and inspection results and recommend corrective actions
• Assist the Wing Director of Plans and Policy in the supervision of academic and military exercise training for crew members ensuring certification, adequacy of instruction, proper briefing procedures, and the adequacy of weather, navigation, and communications facilities
• Develop, review, and coordinate associated operational plans; review MQ-9 integration within operational programs; translate policy from higher authority into specific guidance for operations
• Develop exercise plans, exercise objectives, and scenario events lists; evaluate and analyze operational exercise plans to determine unit operating effectiveness; debrief exercise participants and publish written after action reports (AARs)
• Manage and track wing involvement in all pre-planned exercises including Red Flag, live fire events, and virtual Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) events and provide weekly updates to leadership
• Coordinate with applicable weapons and training shops to ensure learning objectives are identified in advance, feasible in planning, and achieved in execution
• Function as the wing interface with exercise representatives, scheduling shops, and lead exercise planners from participating units, wings, and HHQ
• Develop assumptions that constrain the planning process; coordinate plans between staff agencies to ensure a coherent, responsive planning effort
• Program resource allocation per the Planning, Programming, and Budgeting System; analyze the impact of programming decisions on MQ-9 capabilities
• Assist in monitoring readiness of communications, logistics, personnel, and other support functions affecting wing mission; assist in planning, executing, evaluating, and critiquing base-wide emergency and contingency exercises
• Liaise with internal and external organizations regarding airspace usage; oversee Civil Information Management and Civil Military Operations
• Develop and oversee the wing exercise planning and approval process; formally accept or reclama tasked exercises on behalf of the wing; manage and disseminate planning and schedule data on TS/S/U systems
• Prepare and brief wing leadership on availability and requirements for upcoming exercises; maintain exercise after action reports, update presentations, record meeting minutes, and assist exercise project officers

• Minimum of four (4) years of experience working as a Squadron-level (or higher) Plans and Exercises specialist
• Experience interfacing with higher headquarters for reporting requirements
• Familiarity with Air Force exercise and inspection requirements, including AFI 90-201 (The Air Force Inspection System)
• Knowledge of ATO-directed sorties, Red Flag processes, and Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) capabilities preferred
• Active Top Secret security clearance required; TS/SCI Eligible required
• Strong analytical and writing skills: ability to prepare operational plans, exercise directives, AARs, and leadership briefings
• Ability to manage and disseminate planning data on classified and unclassified systems simultaneously
• Experience with multi-functional planning that spans logistics, operations, finance, personnel, and communications

• Top Secret / TS/SCI Eligible security clearance required
• No negative administrative, judicial, non-judicial, or criminal action/record in previous civilian or military employment for the past five (5) years
• No history of being terminated from civilian employment, denied reenlistment, or separated from the military under other than honorable conditions
• Must be a U.S. Citizen; Common Access Card (CAC) required
• Must successfully complete Shaw AFB background check prior to installation access

• Normal duty hours: 0730 1630, Monday through Friday
• Flexible scheduling may be required to meet mission needs (up to 2-hour adjustment)
• All federal holidays observed, plus Client Goal Days
• No telework authorized on-site presence required

Why Blue Sky? | What Sets Us Apart

Meaningful work supporting 24/7/365 global combat operations your clearance expertise directly protects the mission

Competitive compensation meeting or exceeding SCA wage determinations for the Sumter, SC area

Stable, long-term contract opportunity on a new program with no incumbent get in on the ground floor

Collaborative team culture with experienced defense professionals who understand the SAP environment

Blue Sky's dedicated talent management team supports your career growth and clearance maintenance throughout the contract lifecycle

Comprehensive benefits package including health & welfare, paid leave, and all federal holidays

Professional development support we invest in training and certifications relevant to your security career