Navy Aviation Boatswains Mate, Handling (ABH)

Navy Aviation Boatswains Mate, Handling (ABH)Navy Aviation Boatswains Mate, Handling (ABH)Aviation Boatswains Mates play a major part in launching and recovering naval aircraft quickly and safely from land or ships. It includes aircraft preparation and fueling prior to takeoff and after landing, as well asfire-fighting and salvage and rescue operations. Later in their careers, ABs can earn the advanced AB rating that supervises all of the individual specialties. Duties of the Aviation Boatswains Mate, Handling (ABH) The aviation boatswains mate that specializes in handling performs the following duties Supervises the movement, spotting, and securing of aircraft and equipment ashore and afloat.Performs crash rescue, fire fighting, crash removal, and damage control duties in connection with launching and recovery of aircraft.Maintains and performsorganizational maintenance on hydraulicand steam catapults, barricades, arrestinggear, and arresting gear engines.Operates catapult launc h and arrestingconsoles, firing panels, water brakes, blastdeflectors, and cooling panels. ABH Rating Working Environment Most of the work in this rating is performed outdoors on the deck of aircraft carriers, in all climatic conditions, in fast-paced and often potentially hazardous environments. ABs work closely with others in aviation ratings. Qualifications and Requirements ASVAB ScoreVE AR MK AS 184*Security ClearanceNone * For job-qualification purposes, the Navy requires a minimum total score from various sub-tests of the ASVAB. ABH candidates must also satisfy these requirements 20/100 uncorrected vision, correctable to 20/20.Must havenormal color perception.Must have normal hearingFrequencies 3000Hz 4000Hz 5000Hz 6000Hz. Average hearing threshold level in these four frequencies must be less than 30dB, with no level greater than 45dB in any one frequency. If hearing level exceeds these limits, the applicant is enlistment ineligible for the rating with no permitted exceptions. A-School (Job School) Information Training for ABH is on-the-job or in formal Navy schooling. Advancedtechnical and operational training is available in this rating during later stages of career development. Class A technical school is located inPensacola, Florida. ABH training is six weeks long in aviation basic theory and basic requiredskills. Instruction is group-based and involves practical application of training. Advancement opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a ratings manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings). Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating First Sea Tour 60 monthsFirst Shore Tour 36 monthsSecond Sea Tour 60 monthsSecond Shore Tour 36 monthsThird Sea Tour 48 monthsThird Shore Tour 36 monthsFourth Sea Tour 48 monthsForth Shore Tour 36 months Sea tours and shore tours for sailors that have completed four sea tours will be 36 months at sea followed by 36 months ashore until retirement. ABH is a sea-intensive community. Manning conditions at sea may require the need to request sea tour extension or shore tour curtailments to ensure all sea duty billets are filled. Other areas in which aviation boatswains mates may specialize ABE- Launch and recovery ofaircraft on the flight deck of anaircraft carrier.ABF- Aircraft fueling and fuelsystems.