Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Aircraft Handling (ABH) during Fiscal Year 2024.
Airplanes can be launched from modern aircraft carriers every 20 seconds. So, the flight deck can get busy, so it is important to have good management and communication to keep things from getting out of hand.
As an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Aircraft Handling, you carefully direct the movement of all aircraft to make sure that launch and recovery operations go smoothly. Watch every turn, tow, and park, and make sure they are all tied down to the deck. You will be their leader no matter where they go.
Job Description
Aviation Boatswain’s Mates—Aircraft Handling (ABH) are Navy enlisted Sailors who directs the movement and spotting of aircraft on land and in the water; operate, maintain, and do organizational maintenance on ground-handling equipment used to move and hoist aircraft on land and in the water; supervise the securing of aircraft and equipment; perform crash rescue, firefighting, crash removal, and damage control; and do tasks related to launching and recovering aircraft.
Most of the work for this rating is done outside on the flight decks of amphibious and aircraft carriers in all kinds of weather and conditions, some of which are dangerous. Work moves quickly, and ABHs usually work closely with other people who have aviation ratings. You will not spend your entire career at sea. When you are on shore duty, you might work with an airplane squadron.
Specific Responsibilities
ABH Sailors oversee how naval planes move and, if needed, help save people. In this job, you may have to do things like:
- Helping get planes off the ground and back on again
- Finding planes and equipment and making sure they are safe
- Taking care of crash rescue and removal as part of launching and landing an aircraft
- Jobs like putting out fires and fixing damage
- Operating and maintaining equipment on the ground that moves and lifts planes
Different Roles
Air Operations Technician
Air Operations Technicians make sure the airfield is safe to use and help planes and their crews when they land or take off. Some of their jobs are to move the planes, decide which loads are most important, and service and maintain the planes that are in transit. Also, part of the job is keeping cargo, mail, and dangerous materials safe and making sure they are packaged and put on pallets in the right way for flights. They also work as firefighters and oversee all firefighting and rescue operations at aircraft/structural buildings on shore facilities.
Aircraft Director
Aircraft Directors oversee moving planes safely and quickly on flight decks, hangar decks, and on land. This includes putting in and taking out chocks, tie downs, and tow bars. They are tractor drivers, elevator operators, fire station operators, Ouija board spotters, and people who are told to keep an eye out. As part of their job, they need to know a lot about the Planned Maintenance System, deck multiples and densities, aircraft basics and systems, and flight/hangar deck operations. They oversee administrative tasks, training programs, technical publication libraries, making sure equipment is ready to use, and keeping divisional spaces clean.
Crash and Salvage Fire Fighter
The Crash and a Salvage Fire Fighters’ jobs include responding to emergencies, putting out fires, rescuing people, and salvaging every type of plane on board. Some of the other things they must do are coordinate aircraft jettison operations, training for squadrons that are already on board, equipment maintenance needs, and water-related rescue operations.
Training and Promotion Opportunities
When you are done with basic training at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, also known as “boot camp,” you will go to ABH Class “A” Technical School in Pensacola, FL, for four weeks to learn basic aviation skills and theories. This course involves practical and group instruction.
ABH Sailors may be assigned aboard aircraft carriers, LHDs, LHAs, LPHs, LPDs, or Naval Air Stations in the United States or abroad after graduating from “A” school. They may also be assigned to ships equipped with planes or helicopters.
If they re-enlist, they may be sent to “C” school for additional instruction. ABs spend roughly 60% of their tenure in the Navy deployed to fleet units and 40% to shore stations over a 20-year period.
Promotions happen often, but they are competitive and based on how well you do your job. For example, you might get the advanced AB rating, which lets you supervise all the specialties of an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate.
Advanced Training
In your later years as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, you may also get advanced “C School” training. If you want to become a better leader and have a college degree, you may take on an officer role, which gives you the chance to lead and train other people.
Qualification to Join
To become an Enlisted Sailor or an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate, you need a high school diploma or something comparable. To get a security clearance, you must also be a U.S. citizen.
To get into the ABH rating, a person needs to work well with a team, know how to use tools and equipment, and be aware of how important safety information and procedures are to getting a job done.
You should also be in good shape, know how to use your hands well, and be able to hear, see colors, and have good depth perception.
Specifically, here are the medical requirements:
- 20/100 Uncorrected:The vision must be easily corrected to 20/20. In the event that it cannot, uncorrected visual acuity must not exceed 20/100 and must be correctable to at least 20/20. Must have normal color perception
- Must have normal hearing: The average hearing threshold level for frequencies of 3000hz, 4000hz, 5000hz and 6000hz must be lower than 30db, with any individual frequency not exceeding 45db. If the hearing levels exceed these criteria, the applicant will not be able to enlist in the rating.
Whether you are currently serving, have served before, or have never served before can change the general requirements.
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as an Aviation Boatswain’s Mates—Aircraft Handling.
- ASVAB Score VE+AR+MK+AS=161
The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2024, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor.
More Information
If you wish to learn more about becoming an Aviation Boatswain’s Mate—Aircraft Handling (ABH), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
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