October is #Warfighting month focusing on Navy Warfighters, a fast and flexible force deployed worldwide to preserve peace, protect commerce, and deter aggression on, above, and below the sea. This is one of two blogs highlighting the 19 rates that make up the Navy’s aviation community. Here are the first ten.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Launch Recovery (ABE)
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class James Johnstone, from Panama City, Fla., runs clear of a F/A-18E Super Hornet from the “Dambusters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 on the flight deck aboard the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during flight operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Brian H. Abel/RELEASED)
The duties performed by ABEs include:
- Maintain and perform organizational maintenance on hydraulic and steam catapults, barricades, arresting gear and arresting gear engines.
- Operate catapult launch and arresting consoles, firing panels, water brakes, blast deflectors and cooling panels.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Fuels (ABF)
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) Airman Brittany Johnson, from Clearwater, Fla., opens a fuel inlet aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). “Without clean, clear and bright fuel, the planes don’t launch and the mission doesn’t get accomplished. We fuel the missions,” said Johnson. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Scott Pittman/Released)
The duties performed by ABFs include:
- Operate, maintain and perform organizational maintenance on aviation fueling and lubricating oil systems on CVs, CVNs, LPHS and LPDS.
- Observe and enforce safety handling precautions and maintain fuel quality surveillance and control in aviation fuel systems.
- Supervise the operation and service of fuel farms and equipment associated with the fueling and defueling of aircraft ashore and afloat.
- Train, direct and supervise fire fighting crews, fire rescue teams, and damage control parties in assigned fuel and lubricating oil spaces.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate – Aircraft Handler (ABH)
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Nam Nguyen, from San Francisco, Calif., directs an EA-18 Growler from the “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 on the flight deck of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during flight operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Brian H. Abel/RELEASED)
The duties performed by ABHs include:
- Supervise the movement, spotting and securing of aircraft and equipment ashore and afloat.
- Perform crash rescue, fire fighting, crash removal and damage control duties in connection with launch and recovery of aircraft.
- Perform aircraft-handling duties related to the operation of launching and recovery of naval aircraft.
Air Traffic Controller (AC)
Air Traffic Controller 1st Class Alisha Latiker, a departure controller from Appomattox, Va., prepares for a case 3 landing due to low visibility aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). “I’m a departure controller in the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center, so what I do is just one part of a process that takes the entire department. It’s important we work together as a team to launch and recover these aircraft safely (as that’s our primary mission aboard Enterprise),” said Latiker. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Randy J. Savarese/Released)
The duties performed by ACs include:
- Control and direct air traffic at airfields and on aircraft carriers using radio, radar, and other signaling devices.
- Provid aircraft with critical information on other air traffic, navigation systems, and airfield conditions essential to safe operations.
- Operate and adjust computer-based ground/carrier-controlled navigation and radar approach systems.
- Interpret data shown on radar screens and plotting aircraft positions.
- Maintain aeronautical charts and maps.
Aviation Machinist’s Mate (AD)
Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher Cogar from Cleveland, left, and Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Asunta Allen from San Diego measure a high-pressure turbine shaft before installing it into a F-414 jet engine in the jet shop aboard the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class William Pittman/RELEASED)
The duties performed by ADs include:
- Maintain and service aircraft engine, fuel and lubrication systems.
- Handle and service aircraft ashore or aboard ship.
- Perform complete aircraft turboshaft/turboprop engine repair.
- Determine reasons for engine degradation via spectrometric oil analysis tests.
- Evaluate jet engine performance, using jet test cells for fixed turbojet engines.
- Perform helicopter maintenance, installing and maintaining engines, drive accessories and gear boxes.
- Perform propeller repairs.
- Possibly functioning as aircrewman in various types of aircraft.
Aviation Electrician’s Mate (AE)
Aviation Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Fernando Martinez, from El Paso, Texas, connects testing cables for an F/A-18E/F generator control unit aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). “My job is to test, troubleshoot and repair all power distribution systems for all makes and models of aircraft. My job contributes to Enterprise’s mission by expeditiously repairing generator systems allowing maximum tasking for the air wing,” said Martinez. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared King)
AE sailors attend common basic electronics training, after which they attend the Aviation Electrician (AE) rating “A” School. The AE sailor will troubleshoot and repair some of the following complex electronic systems, employing the latest test equipment and procedures:
- digital computers
- fiber optics
- infrared detection
- radar systems
- electricity generation systems
- laser electronics
- navigation systems
- communications equipment
- electrical power distribution
- pressure indication systems
- electric transformers and circuits
Technicians may also perform the following functions:
- Test aircraft instruments and systems such as automatic flight controls, inertial navigation, and compass systems.
- Perform micro-miniature module repair on computer circuit cards.
- Use a variety of electrical measuring and diagnostic equipment.
- Read electrical system diagrams.
- Repair and maintain power generators and electric motors.
Aerographer’s Mate (AG)
Aerographer’s Mate Second Class Kyle Nobles, right, from Hurst, Texas, and Aerographer’s Mate Third Class Emils Rigano, from Colorado Springs, Colo., get wind direction and speed using an anemometer on the signal bridge of the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Alysia Hernandez/RELEASED)
The duties performed by AGs include:
- Collecting, recording and analyzing weather and oceanographic information.
- Preparing up-to-date weather maps and oceanographic data.
- Issuing weather forecasts and warnings.
- Conduct weather/oceanographic briefings.
- Use, test, calibrate and perform minor and preventive maintenance on meteorological instruments including satellite receivers.
- Prepare balloon-carried instruments for flight, evaluating and analyzing data received.
- Operate, program and maintain computers and related equipment.
Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM)
Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Shanice D. Henry, from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., uses a disc sander to grind down a piece of steel used for an aircraft part in the jet shop aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). “We are directly responsible for the safety of flight for the entire air wing whether it’s landing gear or hydraulics. If we cannot fix it, we are unable to accomplish the mission. If they say it cannot be done, we find a way,” said Henry. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jared King)
The duties performed by AMs include:
- Remove, repair and replace hydraulic system pumps, auxiliary power systems and unit actuating subsystems.
- Maintain aircraft landing gear system, brakes and related pneumatic systems, reservoir pressurization, emergency actuating devices, pumps, valves, regulators, cylinders, lines and fittings.
- Service pressure accumulators, emergency air bottles, oleo struts, reservoirs and master brake cylinders.
- Inspect, remove and replace components of hydraulic systems.
- Replace gaskets, packing, and wipers in hydraulic components.
- Remove, repair and replace aircraft fuselage, wings, fixed and movable surfaces, airfoils, regular seats, wheels and tires, controls and mechanisms.
- Remove, install and rig aircraft flight control surfaces.
- Fabricate and assemble metal components and make minor repairs to aircraft skin.
- Install rivets and metal fasteners.
- Fabricate repairs for composite components.
- Perform non-destructive dye penetrant inspections (NDI).
- Perform daily, preflight, post flight and other periodic aircraft inspections.
Aviation Structural Mechanic Safety Equipment (AME)
Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) Airman Brionka Jnbaptiste from Houston, right, and Aviation Structural Mechanic (Equipment) Airman Idgen Cruz from San Diego, checks tools after completing routine maintenance of equipment aboard the U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73). (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seman Cheryl Callahan/RELEASED)
The duties performed by AMEs include:
- Maintain the various aircraft systems such as seat and canopy ejection (egress), gaseous and liquid oxygen, life raft ejection, fire extinguishing, air conditioning, cabin and cockpit heat, pressurization, ventilation.
- Remove and install oxygen system valves, gauges, converters and regulators.
- Inspect, remove, install and rig ejection seats, shoulder harnesses, lap belts and face-curtain mechanisms.
- Perform daily, preflight, post flight and other periodic aircraft inspections.
Aviation Ordnanceman (AO)
Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class David Farace, from Titusville, Fla., and Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Harris Hall, from Decatur, Ga., move ordnance in a weapons magazine aboard aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65). “We provide the bombs for the mission,” said Farace. “Without us, the Enterprise would (not be able to complete its missions),” said Hall. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Randy J. Savarese/Released)
The duties performed by AOs include:
- Inspect, maintains and repair aircraft mechanical and electrical armament/ordnance systems.
- Service aircraft guns and accessories.
- Stow, assemble and load aviation ammunition including aerial mines, torpedoes, missiles and rockets.
- Service bomb, missile, and rocket releasing and launching devices.
- Load supplemental munitions.
- Assemble, test and maintain air-launched guided missiles.
- Supervise operation of aviation ordnance shops, armories and stowage facilities.
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Learn more about all the enlisted ratings with our Owners and Operators Manual.
