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Air Force Boom Operator Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Chaos

Capture Manager - U.S. Air Force

Washington, DC · On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

... operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving ... S. Air Force Capture Manager, you will play a pivotal role in identifying, pursuing, and securing ...

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Air Force Boom Operator information

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How much do air force boom operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for air force boom operator in the United States is $26.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.08 and $26.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical workday look like for an Air Force Boom Operator?

A typical day for an Air Force Boom Operator often involves pre-flight briefings with pilots and crew, inspecting refueling equipment, and running checklists to ensure everything is mission-ready. During flight operations, the boom operator carefully controls the refueling boom, communicates with receiving aircraft, and monitors fuel transfer systems to guarantee a successful and safe refueling process. Outside of flight missions, responsibilities may include ongoing training, equipment maintenance, and participating in team debriefings. Collaboration and adaptability are essential, as schedules and mission types can change with little notice.

How much do Air Force boom operators make?

Air Force boom operators earn an annual salary that typically ranges from $50,000 to $80,000, depending on experience, rank, and years of service. They also receive benefits such as housing allowances, healthcare, and retirement options, with opportunities for overtime and specialized training.

What is an Air Force Boom Operator job?

An Air Force Boom Operator is responsible for in-flight refueling, ensuring aircraft receive fuel while in the air. They operate the refueling boom, maintain communication with receiving pilots, and monitor transfer systems. Boom Operators play a critical role in extending mission range for military aircraft. They also conduct pre-flight and post-flight inspections to ensure safety and efficiency. This job requires precision, attention to detail, and the ability to work in high-pressure environments.

What do boom operators do in the Air Force?

Air Force boom operators are responsible for refueling aircraft in flight by operating aerial refueling systems, ensuring aircraft can extend their range and mission duration. They perform pre-flight checks, monitor fuel transfer, and work in a high-pressure environment often requiring specialized training and certification. Their role is essential for supporting military operations and maintaining air mobility.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Air Force Boom Operator position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Air Force Boom Operator, you need strong spatial awareness, attention to detail, and physical fitness, often backed by completion of specialized military training and a high school diploma or equivalent. Proficiency in operating aerial refueling systems, communication equipment, and adhering to strict safety protocols is essential. Excellent teamwork, calmness under pressure, and clear communication help an individual excel in this role. These skills are vital for ensuring safe and efficient aerial refueling missions and effective coordination with aircrews.

How long is Air Force boom operator School?

Air Force boom operator training typically lasts about 12 to 15 weeks and includes both classroom instruction and hands-on practice with fueling equipment. Trainees learn skills related to aerial refueling operations, safety procedures, and aircraft systems during this period.

What is the $600000 bonus for the Air Force?

The $600,000 bonus for Air Force boom operators is a special enlistment incentive offered to attract qualified candidates, often in high-demand roles involving aircraft refueling and aerial refueling missions. This bonus is typically paid over several years and is part of the Air Force's efforts to recruit and retain skilled personnel in critical positions. Eligibility and terms vary based on recruitment needs and contractual agreements.
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Air Force Boom Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Air Force Boom Operator job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 75% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 4% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $54,294 per year, or $26.1 per hour.

Capture Manager - U.S. Air Force

CHAOS Industries

Washington, DC

$140K - $180K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

CHAOS Industries is redefining modern defense with omniscient systems purpose-built for today's realities. Designed and built by top U.S. military veterans and Silicon Valley innovators, CHAOS Industries' products are powered by Coherent Distributed Networks (CDN), empowering warfighters, commercial air operators, and border protection teams to act faster, adapt rapidly, and stay ahead of evolving threats. In a world where technological threats move at unprecedented speed, CHAOS Industries delivers advanced sensing and detection solutions that give the ultimate advantage: time.   

CHAOS Industries was founded in 2022 and has raised $1B in total funding from leading investors including 8VC, Accel, and NEA. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, with offices in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and London. For more information, please visit www.chaosinc.com. 

Role Overview:

As a U.S. Air Force Capture Manager, you will play a pivotal role in identifying, pursuing, and securing new business opportunities through effective market analysis, strategic planning, and compelling RFx development. You will collaborate with engineering and business development teams to identify and analyze markets, understand client needs, and formulate winning strategies and RFx narratives that bring in new opportunities and revenue.

This is an exciting opportunity to be among the first members of a rapidly growing team of professionals dedicated to delivering highly impactful technologies to the defense, national security, and critical industry sectors.

Responsibilities:

U.S. Air Force Market and Capture Strategy

  • Conduct thorough market research to identify potential business opportunities and trends. Includes continuous opportunity monitoring using open-source (e.g., Sam.gov) and/or subscription services.
  • Perform regular research to understand emerging programs and opportunities and to learn about industry-specific subject matter.
  • Conduct competitive analysis to gain insights into market dynamics and competitor landscape, which contributes to opportunity qualification, teaming determination, and narrative development.
  • Qualify business opportunities and evaluate attractiveness and probability of win.
  • Partner with Capture and BD leadership to develop comprehensive capture plans at the strategic (pipeline-wide) and tactical (opportunity-specific) levels that align with business priorities and growth targets.
  • Develop strategic messaging ("win themes") for both customer engagements and proposals.
  • Attend customer meetings, industry days, conferences.

Product Roadmap Prioritization

  • Translate customer priorities into capability needs that inform engineering priorities.
  • Participate in engineering planning sessions to ensure product development efforts are aligned to customer needs.

Proposal and Content Development

  • Serve as the U.S. Air Force lead on proposals, market research, white papers, and other RFx content that supports capturing [Vertical Name] business.
  • Translate U.S. Air Force priorities into clear, concise, and compelling RFx narratives that directly address customer needs.

Physical Location:

  • Work full-time onsite out of our Washington D.C. office.
  • Light (<20%) travel required for trips to Los Angeles HQ and/or strategic meetings/events.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant field (e.g., Communications, Marketing, English, Computer Science, Business) or equivalent work experience.
  • +5-years' experience working directly for U.S. Air Force through either industry or government employment preferred.
  • Strong understanding of the U.S. Government procurement process, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), of non-traditional acquisition pathways, and of the full capture lifecycle.
  • Significant experience supporting and writing Federal proposals and market research, with demonstrated success capturing multi-million-dollar awards.
  • Exceptional communication skills and attention to detail.
  • Discerning judgment in strategic thinking, with strong risk assessment skills.
  • Ability to obtain a Top Secret / Secure Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearance.

Why CHAOS?

  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision benefits 100% paid for by the company
  • Additional benefits: 401k (+ 50% company match up to 6% of pay), FSA, HSA, life insurance, and more
  • Our Perks: Free daily lunch, 'No meeting Fridays', unlimited PTO, casual dress code
  • Compensation Components: Competitive base salaries, generous pre-IPO stock option grants, relocation assistance, and (coming soon!) annual bonuses
  • Team Growth: 200 employees and counting across 5 global offices
Salary Range: $140,000 - $180,000

The stated compensation range reflects only the targeted base compensation range and excludes additional earnings such as bonus, equity, and benefits. If your compensation requirements fall outside of the range, we still encourage you to apply. The salary range for this role is an estimate based on a range of compensation factors, inclusive of base salary only. Actual salary offer may vary based on (but not limited to) work experience, education and/or training, critical skills, and/or business considerations.

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