Aviation machinist's mate

Last updated
Aviation Machinist's Mate (AD)
Rating Badge AD.jpg
AD rating insignia
Issued byUnited States Navy
TypeEnlisted rating
AbbreviationAD
SpecialtyAviation propulsion systems

Aviation Machinist's Mates (abbreviated as AD) are United States Navy aircraft engine mechanics that inspect, adjust, test, repair, and overhaul aircraft engines and propellers. More specifically, ADs install, maintain, and service various aircraft engine types as well as various accessories, gear boxes, related fuel systems, and lubrication systems; determine reasons for engine degradation using various test equipment; perform propeller repairs; handle and service aircraft ashore or aboard ship; and can also serve as aircrewman in various types of aircraft. [1]

Contents

History

In the early stages of Naval Aviation, this occupation was performed by Machinist's Mates with an aviation specialty, but qualifying for the aviation specialty required meeting the standards for the general rating as well as those required for the aviation specialty. [2]

The Aviation Machinist's Mate rating was established on July 1, 1921, along with Aviation Metalsmith, Aviation Carpenter's Mate, and Aviation Rigger. These were the first ratings used specifically for aviation and based solely on aviation requirements. Aviation Machinist's Mate is the only one of the four that is still in use today, making it the oldest U.S. Naval Aviation Rating still in service. [2]

In April, 1948, the rating's abbreviation was changed from AMM to AD, but the insignia has not changed since 1921. [2]

Aviation Machinist’s Mate functional areas

US Navy 060210-N-7047S-003 Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Moreao Salinas, checks a jet engine for foreign object debris (FOD) in Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Departments (AIMD) jet shop.jpg
Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (AD3) Moreao Salinas inspecting a jet engine for foreign object damage in the jet shop on board USS George Washington (CVN-73).
US Navy 061030-N-0068G-035 Senior Chief Aviation Machinist's Mate Bruce Boyle, of Waterloo, N.Y., and Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Steven Neitz, of Yuma, Ariz., reference a tech manual for proper installation of an auxil.jpg
ADCS Bruce Boyle and AD1 Stephen Neitz from VP-16 reference a technical manual for proper installation of an auxiliary power unit on a P-3C Orion at an undisclosed location.
US Navy 090318-N-2344B-008 Aviation Machinist's Mate Airman Jonathan Biles, assigned to the.jpg
ADAN Jonathan Biles of VFA-22 helps reassemble an air refueling pod in the hangar bay of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)
US Navy 021029-N-4309A-013 Aviation Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Corey Villasana and Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Julie Hollars, assigned as troubleshooters to the "Eagles" of Strike Fighter Squadron.jpg
AD2 Corey Villasana and AD1 Julie Hollars of VFA-115 prepare for duty as flight deck troubleshooters during night operations on board USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)

[3]

ADs may be assigned to sea or shore duty any place in the world, so their working environment varies considerably. They may work in hangars or hangar decks, outside on flight decks or flight lines at air stations. About 6,100 men and women work in this rating. Sailors in this rating are required to express themselves clearly in speech and writing, must have no speech impediment, and must pass hearing and color perception tests. ADs must have good memories and the ability to do repetitive tasks, perform detailed work, and keep accurate records. [1]

Advanced technical and operational training is available in this U.S. Navy rating during later stages of an AD's career development. [1]

See also

Related Research Articles

Flight deck Landing/take off surface of an aircraft carrier

The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is the surface from which its aircraft take off and land, essentially a miniature airfield at sea. On smaller naval ships which do not have aviation as a primary mission, the landing area for helicopters and other VTOL aircraft is also referred to as the flight deck. The official U.S. Navy term for these vessels is "air-capable ships".

HMS <i>Perseus</i> (R51) Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier

HMS Perseus was a Colossus-class light fleet aircraft carrier built for the Royal Navy during World War II. The ship was initially named HMS Edgar, but she was renamed in 1944 when the Admiralty decided to convert her into an aircraft maintenance carrier. She was completed in 1945, after the end of World War II, and she made a trip to Australia late in the year. Upon her return to the UK in early 1946, Perseus was placed in reserve. The ship was recommissioned in 1950 to serve as the trials ship for the steam catapult then under development. Over 1,600 test launches were conducted before the catapult was removed in 1952 and she was converted for use as a ferry carrier to transport aircraft, troops and equipment overseas. She was reduced to reserve again in 1954 and sold for scrap in 1958.

Aircraft maintenance technician

Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT) is a tradesperson and also refers to a licensed technical qualification for carrying out aircraft maintenance. AMTs inspect and perform or supervise maintenance, preventive maintenance, repairs and alteration of aircraft and aircraft systems.

The Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS) insignia is a military badge of the United States Navy which was created in March 1980. The insignia recognizes those members of the Navy's enlisted force who have acquired the specific professional skills, knowledge, and military experience that result in qualification for service in the aviation activities of the Navy. This includes most personnel who are trained flight deck personnel onboard aircraft carriers, or maintenance personnel at an Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment or Department (AIMD) or aircraft squadron.

Seafaring is a tradition that encompasses a variety of professions and ranks. Each of these roles carries unique responsibilities that are integral to the successful operation of a seafaring vessel. A ship's crew can generally be divided into four main categories: the deck department, the engineering department, the steward's department, and other. The reasoning behind this is that a ship's bridge, filled with sophisticated navigational equipment, requires skills differing from those used on deck operations – such as berthing, cargo and/or military devices – which in turn requires skills different from those used in a ship's engine room and propulsion, and so on.

Machinists mate

Machinist's mate is a rating in the United States Navy's engineering community.

Aviation electronics technician (United States Navy)

Aviation electronics technician (AT) is a US Navy enlisted rating or job specialty. At the paygrade of E-9, ATs merge with the aviation electrician's mate (AE) rating to become avionics technicians (AV). There has been talk of completely merging the two ratings, but as yet no definite plans have been announced. Aviation electronics technicians wear the specialty mark of a winged helium atom.

Aviation boatswains mate

Aviation boatswain's mate is a United States Navy occupational rating.

Aviation structural mechanic is a United States Navy occupational rating.

Aviation ordnanceman

Aviation Ordnanceman is a United States Navy occupational rating.

Aviation support equipment technician

Aviation Support Equipment Technician is a United States Navy occupational rating. The United States Marine Corps currently maintains 3 separate aviation support equipment military occupational specialties. They are: 6071, 6072 aircraft maintenance support equipment hydraulic/ pneumatic structures mechanic and 6073 aircraft maintenance support equipment electrician / refrigeration mechanic.

Naval aircrewman

The Naval Aircrewman rating is an enlisted rating of the US Navy. It was previously designated as aviation anti-submarine warfare operator. However, under the CNO-directed "Helicopter Master Plan", all 78XX and 94XX aircrewmen were re-designated as "aviation warfare systems operators". The description of the Naval Aircrew Rate (AW) on this page define only the "Active Duty" aspects of the AW rate, fleets (aircraft), positions, and duties that are manned by aircrew in today's Navy. The Full Time Support (FTS) and Selected Reserves (SELRES) components of the U.S. Naval Reserves make up the largest number of Aircrew in today's Navy. Many technologically advanced navies have a similar trade.

Fire controlman

Fire controlman is a United States Navy occupational rating. Often confused with being fireman onboard a ship, FC's actually operate advanced weapons systems, whereas Damage Controlman (DC) are actually the shipboard firefighters.

Machinery repairman

Machinery repairman is a United States Navy occupational rating.

Boatswains mate (United States Navy) United States Navy rating

The United States Navy occupational rating of boatswain's mate is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted members who were rated or "striking" for the rating as a deck seaman. The colloquial form of address for a boatswain's mate is "Boats".

Modern United States Navy carrier air operations US aircraft carrier uniform colors

Modern United States Navy aircraft carrier air operations include the operation of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft on and around an aircraft carrier for performance of combat or noncombat missions. The flight operations are highly evolved, based on experiences dating back to 1922 with USS Langley.

Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) are an enlisted rating of the United States Coast Guard. They inspect, service, maintain, troubleshoot and repair aircraft engines, auxiliary power units, propellers, rotor systems, power train systems, and associated airframe and systems-specific electrical components. They service, maintain and repair aircraft fuselages; wings; rotor blades; fixed and movable flight control surfaces; and also bleed aircraft air, hydraulic and fuel systems. AMTs fill aircrew positions such as flight engineer, flight mechanic, loadmaster, dropmaster, Aircraft Ground Handling, Flight Deck Handling, sensor-systems operator and basic aircrewman.

The United States Navy job rating of electronics technician (ET) is a designation given by the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS) to enlisted members who satisfactorily complete initial Electronics Technician "A" school training.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "AD – Aviation Machinist's Mate" (PDF). January 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 June 2018. Retrieved 31 March 2018.
  2. 1 2 3 Heiser, Wayne H. U.S. Naval and Marine Corps Reserve Aviation, Volume I, 1916-1942 Chronology.
  3. "Navy enlisted manpower and personnel classifications". Bureau of Naval Personnel. US Navy. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-11.

Commons-logo.svg Media related to Aviation Machinist's Mate at Wikimedia Commons