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USA15B

Aircraft Powerplant Repairer

Performs organizational and direct support maintenance on aircraft powerplant systems, including turbine engines and related components. Diagnoses faults, performs repairs, and inspects jet turbine engines on Army rotary-wing aircraft including the UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache.

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Recruiter vs. Reality
What they tell you

You'll work on the turbine engines that power UH-60 Black Hawks and AH-64 Apaches — the same engines that commercial MRO shops pay $35/hr and up to maintain. Aviation powerplant technicians are one of the most shortage-critical specialties in the global aviation industry. The A&P license pathway is real, FAA-accepted military experience counts toward it, and once you have your powerplant ticket, airlines and MRO providers will actively recruit you. This is one of the most financially rewarding trades the Army trains.

What it's actually like

The GE T700 turbine engine that powers the Black Hawk and Apache is a genuinely impressive machine — compact, powerful, and demanding about maintenance. You will learn to love and hate it in equal measure. The work is exacting: engine removals, hot section inspections, compressor washes, trend monitoring, oil sampling — it never stops, and neither does the paperwork. The Army does not automatically give you your A&P license. You will need to pursue it through the FAA's military experience pathway on your own time, because the Army will not hand it to you on the way out the door. Do it anyway. The difference between a powerplant repairer with an A&P and one without is about $20,000 a year and a much shorter job search.

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MOS Intel

ClearanceSecret
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PromotionAverage
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Deploy TempoModerate
Career Intel
Duty StationsFort Novosel (AL) · Fort Liberty (NC) · Fort Campbell (KY) · JBLM (WA) · Fort Drum (NY)
Daily LifeLeading aviation combined arms operations — integrating attack, assault, and reconnaissance helicopters with ground maneuver forces. Planning air assaults, close combat attacks, and reconnaissance missions. The role bridges aviation and ground operations, requiring understanding of both domains.
AIT / SchoolSame IERW flight school pipeline at Fort Novosel (AL) as 15A, approximately 9 months. Aircraft qualification training follows, typically on AH-64 Apache or OH-58/reconnaissance platforms. Combined arms tactics training at Captain's Career Course integrates aviation with ground operations.
Physical DemandsModerate. Same flight physical requirements as 15A. The combined arms focus may involve more time in the field with supported ground units.
DeploymentsDeploys with aviation task forces supporting ground maneuver operations
Certifications
Military Aviator wingsFAA Commercial Pilot License pathwayCombined arms certificationsVarious aircraft type ratings
Pro Tips
  1. 1The combined arms aviation officer understands both air and ground operations — this makes you uniquely valuable for planning and coordination roles at higher echelons.
  2. 2Build relationships with ground maneuver officers. The best aviation combined arms officers are trusted by the ground commanders they support.
  3. 3Your planning and coordination skills transfer to complex project management, operations management, and logistics leadership in the civilian sector.
The Honest Truth

Aviation combined arms officer is the branch detail that blends flying with ground combat integration. You fly helicopters AND understand how to employ them in support of ground operations — air assaults, close combat attacks, and deep operations. What the branch manager won't fully explain: the 15B designation is part of the broader aviation officer career, and your trajectory depends heavily on which aircraft you fly and which units you serve in. Attack aviation (Apache) officers tend to have the most combined arms-focused careers. The advantage of this designation is breadth — you understand both the air and ground domains, which makes you valuable for planning and coordination at higher echelons. The civilian translation follows the same aviation pilot path as 15A, with the added value of complex operational planning experience.

Training Pipeline
1
OCS, ROTC, or USMA12w
Fort Novosel (AL)
2
Aviation BOLC10w
Fort Novosel (AL)
Aviation maintenance management, safety programs, logistics for aviation units.
On the Outside

What this actually is in the real world

Your skills translate. Here's what civilian employers call this job.

Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians

Strong match
Salary data coming soon

Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers

Strong match
Salary data coming soon
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