Air liaison officer facts for kids

An air liaison officer is like a special messenger or helper from an air force. They work with another military group or organization to make sure everyone communicates well and works together smoothly. Their exact job can be a bit different depending on the country.

What is an Air Liaison Officer?

An air liaison officer (often called an ALO) is a military officer, usually from an air force, who acts as a link between their air force and another group. This other group could be a different branch of the military (like the army or navy) or even a civilian organization. Their main goal is to make sure that air power is used effectively to support the other group's missions.

Air Liaison Officers in the United Kingdom

During World War II, air liaison officers in the Royal Air Force (RAF) were important senior officers. They were placed within other military groups, sometimes even in foreign armies or government services. Their job was to make sure that the RAF could communicate clearly and work closely with these other groups. This helped everyone work together better during the war.

Air Liaison Officers in the United States

In the United States, the role of an air liaison officer is often part of a team called a Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). A TACP is a small group of Air Force members who work directly with Army ground units. Their job is to help the Army call in air support, like airstrikes or reconnaissance flights, when they need it. The air liaison officer leads this team and makes sure the Army's needs are understood by the Air Force.

See Also

• Tactical Air Control Party