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In today’s multi-dimensional operating environment it is absolutely imperative to observe and track movement on the ground. The Common Ground Station Analyst accomplishes this through the use of the Common Ground Station and the US Air Force Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS). The information collected and analyzed by Common Ground Station Analysts is used to evaluate strategy and tactics in order to counteract the effects of the enemy.
The Common Ground Station Analyst is primarily responsible for the detection, locating and tracking of ground targets also known as Moving Target Indicators or MTI. Some of your duties as a Common Ground Station Analyst may include:
Provide direct support to intelligence and artillery operations
Send and receive digital messages using highly technical communication systems
Perform in-depth analysis of Near Real Time MTI data
Perform in-depth analysis of historic MTI data
Cross-cue other intelligence assets
Analyze softcopy imagery
Maintenance of the Common Ground Station and related peripheral equipment
Operate airborne radar equipment onboard the JSTARS E8 aircraft
Training
Job training for a Common Ground Station Analyst requires nine weeks of Basic Training, where you’ll learn basic Soldiering skills, and 20 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. This time is spent in the classroom learning hands-on, practical exercises using a wide variety of different associated equipment. Some of the skills you’ll learn are:
Operation and maintenance of Common Ground Station equipment and MTI related software applications Interpretation of different types of imagery and activity
Networking in order to communicate and report intelligence information
Advanced Responsibilities
Advanced level Common Ground Station Analysts provides guidance, supervises and train other Soldiers within the same discipline. As an advanced level Common Ground Station Analyst, you may be involved in:
Supervise Common Ground Station operations
Perform reconnaissance and advanced analysis of MTI data
Perform intelligence preparation in support of intelligence operations
Brief intelligence information based upon the Common Ground Station collection
Conduct post-mission analysis
Related Civilian Jobs
The skills you learn as a Common Ground Station Analyst and the expanding need for Intelligence Professional will provide a wide variety of employment opportunities with agencies such as the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) or the Department of Homeland Security. The training and experience you receive in collecting, recording, analyzing and distributing tactical and technical intelligence information will also prepare you for other fields, such as research, management or business planning.
Civilian occupations that use radar equipment include weather service technicians, air traffic controllers, ship navigators and ocean salvage specialists.
Related Army Positions
Cryptologic Linguist (35P)
Signals Intelligence Analyst (35N)