AvBs for Air Battle Managers

The Air Force announced details April 22 of its expanded FY 2019 Aviation Bonus (AvB) intended to increase the number of air battle managers. The bonus program continues to support aircrew retention efforts across the Air Force by offering experienced aviators bonuses for signing tier-based contracts, ranging from three-to-12 years of continued service. In FY-17, Congress raised the annual maximum aviation bonus from $25,000 to $35,000 and required the AF to develop its aviation bonus program based on a business case analysis. The AF evaluates its rated inventory every year to tailor its needs. This new expansion will increase the pool of ABMs eligible for the bonus by 595. ABMs may take advantage of the following bonus amounts and contract lengths: Annual payments of $20,000 for contract lengths of five years = $100,000; Must have fewer than 19 years of military service at time of signing FY-19 AvB agreement; No contracts may extend beyond 24 years of aviation service. The application window to apply for FY-19 AvB program remains open until Aug. 30, 2019. (Source: Secretary of the Air Force 04/22/19) Gulf Coast Note: The 337th Air Control Squadron trains all of America’s Air Battle Managers. It is a tenant unit assigned to the 33rd Operations Group of the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla. The squadron's primary responsibility includes training all AF, Air National Guard and AF Reserve officers in command and control mission execution as ABMs in a variety of weapons systems in support of air expeditionary forces worldwide.