Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the average time is between completing the Weapon Systems Officers pipeline (ALM) course and beginning the (a) Atlas and (b) C-17 operational conversion course.

Royal Air Force Weapon System Officers are streamed into Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance roles only on completion of their training in the Military Flying Training System.

The average time during the past 12 months for Weapon System Operators (Non-Commissioned Officers) streamed onto the Atlas and C-17 Operational Conversion Units after completion of the Air Load Masters course is:

Atlas - 36 Weeks

C-17 - 42 Weeks