Last Updated on November 16, 2023
This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as an Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS) during the Fiscal Year 2024.
There cannot be air support without support on the ground. This is a phrase that these technicians live by because what they do is so important to keeping Navy planes in the air.
The work this team does on the ground makes an enormous difference in the air. For example, they fill the oxygen tanks of planes between flights and pull jets below deck for repairs.
Keep reading to learn more about this Navy enlisted job.
Job Description
Aviation Support Equipment Technicians (AS) are Navy enlisted Sailors who perform preventive and corrective maintenance on aviation support equipment, aviation armament handling equipment, aviation mobile firefighting units, material handling equipment, hoisting, and lifting devices, and other related parts and systems.
They service, inspect, test, troubleshoot, and fix gasoline and diesel engine systems, transmission systems, hydraulic, hydrostatic, and pneumatic systems, steering and suspension systems, cryogenic systems, electrical systems, gas turbine compressor units, electrical and hydraulic power generating equipment, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems (excluding avionics support equipment).
AS Sailors also manage the assets of support equipment at different command levels and teach people how to use and take care of aviation support equipment.
These technicians run, maintain, fix, and test the electrical systems in ground equipment, gasoline and diesel systems, and the electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems that go with them.
They also take care of ground air-conditioning units, gas turbine compressor units, metal fabrication, repair, and painting of tow tractors and other aircraft servicing units.
As an AS, you could be sent to sea or shore duty in the U.S. or overseas, giving you the chance to work in many places. You could be sent to hangars on land, flight decks on aircraft carriers, or flight lines at air stations, among other places.
No matter where you are sent, you can expect to do physical work, deal with a lot of wind and noise, and work as part of a team.
Specific Responsibilities
ASs operate and maintain all ground support equipment required for flight. As an AS, you may be responsible for the following:
- Inspecting, testing, and repairing generators, motors, hydraulic and pneumatic equipment, transmission systems, as well as gasoline and diesel engines
- Repairing electrical and mechanical automotive equipment
- Producing and installing belts, hoses, and additional components
- Bodywork, welding, and painting of airplane servicing units
- Performing maintenance and repairs on braking, refrigeration, and air conditioning systems
- Instruction and evaluation of others in vehicle operating
Specific Role
Aviation Support Equipment Technicians do planned and unplanned maintenance on equipment that helps planes fly. Technicians do maintenance (adjust, troubleshoot, and fix) on mechanical systems (diesel engines, gas turbine compressor systems, brake systems, transmission systems, welding, and structural repair equipment), air conditioning and refrigeration systems (compressors, condensers, evaporators, refrigerant reclaimer equipment and plumbing components, reclaiming refrigerant), and electrical systems (Mobile Electrical Power Plant (MEPP) systems, aircraft tow tractors electrical systems).
These technicians also keep cryogenic equipment (gaseous and liquid oxygen servicing systems, gaseous nitrogen servicing systems, and oxygen system purge units) and hydraulic/pneumatic systems in good shape (hydraulic test stands, aircraft and automotive lifting devices, maintenance platforms, various pumps, actuators, and accumulators).
They also manage, train, and license support equipment by planning, organizing, scheduling, and carrying out daily maintenance tasks and training needs.
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 Class “A” Technical School in Pensacola, Florida, for 17 weeks to learn basic aviation theory and skills.
“A” School is the first step in the career path of an Aviation Support Equipment Technician. After AS Sailors finish “A” school, they can go to “C” school to learn about the equipment they will use on their first assignment.
“C” School is a specialized training course that teaches Sailors the specifics of their job. It can last anywhere from two weeks to a few months, depending on the type of equipment they will be working with.
During your career, you will also have the chance to go to specialized schools and take courses. These can include professional military education, advanced technical training, and courses in leadership and management.
As you move up in rank, you may be able to get more training, like being an instructor or working on a staff. More specialized training can also lead to more responsibility and higher pay.
When done with training, you will move on to your first job, which could be on an aircraft carrier, a naval air station, or some other aviation activity on land.
During a 20-year career in the Navy, ASs spend approximately 40% of their time assigned to fleet units and 60% at shore stations.
Promotions happen often, but they are competitive and based on how well you do your job. Navy enlisted advancement is based on a combination of time in service, performance evaluations, and test scores.
Advanced Training
In the later stages of your career as an Aviation Support Equipment Technician, you may also get more advanced training. Advanced training as a Navy AS Rating can include courses in aircraft maintenance, aviation safety, and aircraft systems.
These courses will help you become a better technician and give you the skills needed to move up in rank or take on more responsibility.
If you want to become a better leader and have a college degree, you may also take on an Officer role, which gives you the chance to lead and train other people.
Qualifications to Join
To become an Enlisted Sailor or an Aviation Support Equipment Technician, you need a high school diploma or something like it. To get a security clearance, you must also be a U.S. citizen.
AS applicants should be very good at working with tools, machines, and other equipment. You should be able to keep outstanding records, do detailed work, and work well as a team member.
For this rating, you need to be able to use your hands normally, be in good shape, hear properly, see colors normally, and have a high level of physical fitness.
Whether you are currently serving, have served before, or have never served before can change the general requirements.
Selection for this rating is very competitive , so make sure you have the qualifications and skills needed to be successful.
ASVAB Requirement
Applicants must score the minimum ASVAB score below to qualify to join the Navy as an Aviation Support Equipment Technician.
- VE+AR+MK+MC=206; or
- VE+AR+MK+EI=206; or
- MK+AS+AO=157
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 Support Equipment Technician (AS), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online.
You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs:
In conclusion, the Navy Aviation Support Equipment Technician (AS) rating is an exciting career path that offers many opportunities for personal and professional growth.
With a wide variety of duties and training options, this rating is perfect for ambitious personnel who are looking to make an impact on the military and their community.
The role provides an opportunity to work in advanced technology repair and maintenance fields, as well as create lasting relationships with people dedicated to national security.
If you are searching for a stable job with purpose and are comfortable working with aircrafts in challenging conditions then this could be the ideal fit for you.
