Chapter 11 Ammunition Storage and Handling Afloat

CHAPTER 11 AMMUNITION STORAGE AND HANDLING AFLOAT The ammunition used by the U.S. Navy must be maintained in a state of readiness at all times. Improper, rough, or careless handling, storage, and shipping can result in malfunctioning ammunition and material damage or loss of life. ORDNANCE CERTIFICATION LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify the purpose and use of the Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program, OPNAVINST 8023.2. The Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program (Qual/Cert) was established by the Chief of Naval Operations as a result of the catastrophic MK-24 parachute flare accident on USS ORISKANY in 1966 that led to significant loss of life and major ship damage. The Flag Board of Inquiry concluded the accident was attributed to a lack of training, direct supervision, and a method to determine personnel qualifications prior to being authorized to handle explosives. Qual/Cert, with proper oversight and management, can prevent similar accidents. Although Qual/Cert has been in effect for over 30 years, improper handling, loading, processing or testing of explosive devices continues to result in death, injury and extensive high dollar damage to equipment. Research has shown personnel error due to inadequate training, lack of adequate supervision, lack of or inadequate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), or just plain failure to follow the governing technical directives causes the majority of explosive mishaps. Qual/Cert is intended to be the cornerstone for a ZERO DEFECT SAFETY PROGRAM. The Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification Program is governed by OPNAVINST 8023.2. DEFINITIONS Before you read about ordnance certification, you need to know the terminology that will be used in this discussion. The following definitions will help when working with the Qual/Cert program and completing the Ordnance Certification Format (fig. 11-1). Storage/Stowage. Physical act of stowing explosive/explosive devices in designated and approved magazines and ready service lockers. Demonstrated knowledge of afloat/ashore storage/ stowage requirements per applicable instructions/ directives. Handling. Physical act of transporting or moving explosives/explosive devices afloat or ashore, with powered equipment, with nonpowered equipment, or manually. Assembly/Disassembly. Physical act of mating/ demating component to/from an All Up Round (AUR) configuration. This work task code is used when assembly/disassembly is authorized in applicable Weapons Assembly Manuals (WAM). Load/Download. Physical act of mating an AUR with the bomb rack/launcher from which delivery/initiation is authorized. Includes all operations incidental to aircraft loading/downloading included in those portions of the NAVAIR Conventional Weapons Loading Checklists, shipboard loading/downloading of CIWS, and NATO Sea Sparrow systems as listed in applicable MRC’s. Includes functions such as the installation of mechanical bomb fuzes, arming wires, electrical/mechanical connections, installing bands on LUU-2 flares, MK-58 MLM’s and rack/launcher cartridges. Arm/De-Arm. Applies to those procedures contained in the arm/ dearm section of the applicable NAVAIR loading manuals/checklist and NAVSEA MRC’s which places an explosive/explosive device or system in an armed or safe condition. This does not include the installation of CADS/PADS in seats to place them in an armed condition. Arm/dearm as it pertains to Aircraft Egress Systems is covered in install/remove. 11-1