DAF Form 1382: USAF C-sUAS Training Certification

DAF Form 1382: USAF C-sUAS Training Certification – DAF Form 1382: USAF Certification of Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft System (C-sUAS) Training is the official Department of the Air Force form used to document and certify personnel who have completed required training for operating counter-small unmanned aircraft systems (C-sUAS).

This form plays a critical role in standardizing C-sUAS operator qualifications across USAF installations, ensuring Airmen and Guardians meet rigorous standards for detecting, tracking, identifying, and mitigating threats from small UAS (typically Groups 1-3). With the growing proliferation of commercial and adversary drones, proper certification via DAF Form 1382 helps protect airbases, critical infrastructure, and personnel in both deployed and homeland defense scenarios.

What Is DAF Form 1382?

DAF Form 1382 serves as the official certification record for C-sUAS training completion. It verifies that individuals have successfully met the training and evaluation requirements outlined in supporting documents like the Air Force Job Qualification Standard (AFJQS) for SEI 3CS (C-sUAS Operator).

The form captures key details such as:

  • Trainee identification and unit information.
  • Specific training courses or modules completed (e.g., initial qualification training, system-specific IQT, or on-the-job training).
  • Signatures and certifications from trainers, certifiers, and supervisors.
  • Dates of completion and any recertification or proficiency evaluations.

It aligns with broader Department of the Air Force training documentation practices under DAFI 36-2670 and related guidance for recording qualifications in a standardized, auditable way. The form is available as a downloadable PDF from the official Air Force e-Publishing site: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/form/daf1382/daf1382.pdf.

Why C-sUAS Training Matters for the USAF?

Small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) pose an evolving threat to military installations, forward operating bases, and homeland defense. Adversaries and non-state actors increasingly use low, slow, small (LSS) drones for reconnaissance, disruption, or kinetic attacks. The USAF, alongside the Joint Counter-small UAS Office (JCO) and Joint C-sUAS University (JCU) at Fort Sill, has prioritized countermeasures.

C-sUAS capabilities focus on:

  • Detection and tracking using radar, RF, EO/IR, and other sensors.
  • Identification to distinguish friendly/neutral vs. hostile UAS.
  • Mitigation through kinetic (e.g., projectiles) or non-kinetic (e.g., jamming, directed energy) methods, while complying with legal and safety rules.

Training ensures operators can integrate these systems into base defense, force protection, and joint operations. Recent examples include USNORTHCOM’s certification of a C-sUAS fly-away kit in 2025 exercises, validating rapid deployment for installation protection.

Key Components of USAF C-sUAS Training and Certification

C-sUAS operator qualification typically involves a combination of formal, joint, and unit-level training. The AFJQS for SEI 3CS (dated 15 March 2023 and still referenced as the primary standard) outlines the roadmap.

Core elements often include:

  1. Joint Knowledge Online (JKO) Courses (foundational awareness):
    • JCSUAS-US1401: Basic sUAS Awareness.
    • JCSUAS-US1402: Basic C-sUAS Systems Familiarization.
    • JCSUAS-US1403: Basic C-sUAS Installation Training.
    • JCSUAS-US1404: Basic C-sUAS Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTPs).
  2. Initial Qualification Training (IQT): Completion of a DAF, joint, vendor, or unit-approved C-sUAS Formal Training Unit (FTU) course for specific platforms (fixed-site, mobile/mounted, handheld, aerial, etc.). Not all IQTs award the SEI 3CS—check the Air Force Enlisted Classification Directory (AFECD) for approved courses.
  3. System-Specific and Mission Qualification Training (MQT): Hands-on tasks for the assigned C-sUAS equipment, including operator, system administrator (if applicable), and integration with installation defense plans.
  4. Third-Party Certification and Evaluation: All critical tasks require “GO/NO-GO” evaluation by qualified trainers and certifiers. Supervisors use the evaluate-train-evaluate process for proficiency.
  5. Recertification: Generally required after significant breaks (e.g., >366 days), plus annual or periodic duty position evaluations.

Successful completion of critical tasks (often marked with an asterisk in the AFJQS) and appropriate experience can lead to award of SEI 3CS. Documentation, including DAF Form 1382, supports entry into training records, Master Training Plans (MTP), and Individual Training Plans (ITP).

Related references include AFMAN 11-502 (Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems), technical orders for specific systems, DoD C-sUAS guidance, and joint publications.

Who Needs DAF Form 1382 Certification?

  • USAF Security Forces, Air Defense, and force protection personnel assigned C-sUAS duties.
  • Operators at installations with fixed or deployable C-sUAS systems.
  • Airmen pursuing SEI 3CS for career progression in counter-drone roles.
  • Support personnel involved in C-sUAS planning, maintenance, or command oversight.

Commanders and C-sUAS program managers (or Training NCOICs) oversee implementation and ensure compliance with local supplements to the AFJQS.

How to Complete and Use DAF Form 1382?

  1. Download the latest version from the official link above.
  2. Fill in trainee details, training events completed, and supporting course/module information.
  3. Obtain signatures from qualified trainers and certifiers (third-party certification is required for core tasks).
  4. File the form in the individual’s training record (often alongside entries in learning management systems or SUASMAN for related UAS programs).
  5. Use it as evidence for SEI award, duty position qualification, or deployment readiness.

Units should integrate this with broader training under DAFI 36-2670 and any automated systems for tracking qualifications.

Note: Always verify the most current form, AFJQS, and instructions on the Air Force e-Publishing website (www.e-publishing.af.mil), as policies and threats evolve rapidly. Consult your unit C-sUAS program manager or standardization/evaluation section for installation-specific guidance.

Staying Current in a Dynamic Threat Environment

The drone threat landscape continues to advance, with emphasis on Group 1-3 sUAS. The USAF collaborates with the JCO, JCU, and interagency partners (including USNORTHCOM and JIATF-401) to refine doctrine, materiel, and training.

Regular proficiency training, scenario-based exercises, and integration with passive air defense and reporting procedures remain essential. DAF Form 1382 ensures a documented, auditable trail of qualified operators ready to defend U.S. airpower assets.

For USAF personnel: Access the form directly via the provided link and coordinate with your chain of command or functional area manager for training opportunities, including JKO courses and approved IQTs.

Download DAF Form 1382 here: https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a4/form/daf1382/daf1382.pdf

This article is for informational purposes and draws from official Department of the Air Force publications and related DoD sources. Policies may update; always refer to primary e-Publishing documents and your unit guidance for compliance.