AVIATION FUELS DIVISION AFLOAT

Figure 1-1 illustrates paths of advancement for an Airman Recruit to Master Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, Commissioned Warrant Officer (W-4), and Limited Duty Officer. Shaded areas show career stages where qualified enlisted personnel may advance to Commissioned Warrant Officer (W-2), and Limited Duty Officer. Personnel in the ABF rating operate, maintain, and perform organizational maintenance on aviation fueling, automotive gasoline (MOGAS), and lubricating oil systems on CVs, CVNs, LHAs, LPHs, and LPDs. Included are aviation fuel, MOGAS, and catapult lubricating oil service stations and pumprooms, piping, valves. pumps, tanks, and portable equipment related to the fuel system. ABFs also operate, maintain, and repair the valves and piping of purging and protective systems within the Air Department spaces aboard ship. Figure 1-1.—Paths of advancement. Additionally, ABFs operate and service motorized fueling equipment, maintain quality surveillance, and supervise the operations and servicing of fuel farms and equipment associated with the fueling and defueling of aircraft ashore. They also may train, direct, and supervise fire- fighting crews, fire rescue teams, and damage control parties in assigned fuel and catapult lubricating oil spaces. And they ALWAYS observe and enforce fuel- handling safety precautions. AVIATION FUELS DIVISION AFLOAT LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Describe the organization and responsibilities of the major work-centers of a typical Aviation Fuels Division Afloat. Figure 1-2 illustrates the typical AvFuels Division Afloat organization. However, it must be emphasized that you will encounter many variations of AvFuels Divisions. This is due to the many different types of ships used by the Navy that have the capability of fueling and defueling aircraft. The variations you will see in the organization of a division include the number of personnel assigned to the division, the number and types of aircraft em- barked, and the tactical employment of your ship. You may also encounter slightly different organizations even on the same-class ships. Regardless of the type of ship, keep in mind that the basic mission of the division remains the same; therefore, the basic division structure does not change. The AvFuels Division Afloat is normally made up of the V-4 Division Office, the Flight Deck workcen- ter (which includes flight deck repair and the quality surveillance lab), and the Below Decks workcenter. Some divisions will have a maintenance workcenter that combines the maintenance and repair of the flight and below decks workcenters. Most will have a Damage Control workcenter. Again, it depends on the needs and manning of the command. Another integral part of the AvFuels Division Afloat is the Aviation Fuels Security Watch. This watch is stood 24 hours a day when the ship is not at flight quarters. Personnel standing this watch must be properly trained, familiar with the AvFuels system, and fully PQS-qualified as an AvFuels Security 1-2