equipment and perform preoperational maintenance. Preoperational maintenance is like checking your automobile before you drive it; that is, checking your oil, tire pressure, battery, radiator, and so forth. The point is, if the support equipment unit has developed a problem, return it to the support equipment shop. Let the technicians work on it. They have had the training. Most support equipment is dangerous. The MEPPs, for instance, produce 1,000 amps, which is more than enough to electrocute you. Hydraulic units have working pressures as high as 5,000 psi. You do the operating and leave the maintenance to the technicians. The three levels of naval aviation maintenance are organizational, intermediate, and depot. Organizational maintenance is the general upkeep of aircraft that is preformed by aviation squadrons. Intermediate maintenance is performed at AIMDs, and includes component inspection, disassembly, repair, reassembly, testing, and fabrication. Depot-level maintenance is normally the complete repair of the entire aircraft and systems. You will most likely be concerned with the organizational level. PREOPERATIONAL MAINTENANCE Preoperational maintenance is performed by organizational and intermediate maintenance personnel. A preoperational card is used to inspect support equipment prior to its use. All support equipment you operate will have a preoperational card specific to the type of equipment. The card is easy to use and must be completed in the numerical sequence, and it must be accomplished prior to the first use of the day and any use thereafter. All types of support equipment require a preoperational check before each use. The preoperational card does not state how to repair, make adjustments, or correct defective conditions. These functions are performed in AIMD. QUALIFICATIONS FOR OPERATING SE As a direct result of support equipment accidents, the Navy established a Support Equipment Operator Training and Licensing Program. The purpose of the program is to make sure you receive effective training in the safe and efficient operation of specific aircraft support equipment, as prescribed in the Naval Aviation Maintenance Program (NAMP), OPNAVINST 4790.2 (series). You cannot, without great risk, properly or safely move, secure, service, or maintain an aircraft using support equipment unless you are completely trained and qualified on both the support equipment and the aircraft. Training The SE Operator Training and Licensing Program has two distinct parts—Phase 1 and Phase 2. Phase 1 covers the support equipment, and Phase 2 covers the operation or use of the support equipment on a specific type of aircraft. You get your Phase 1 training from AS ratings at the support equipment school sponsored by AIMD. This school covers daily pre/post operational inspections, safety, appropriate gear, and operating procedures on each specific type of equipment. Phase 2 training is handled by your own squadron or unit. Usually, the program is managed by the line division and monitored by quality assurance (QA). This is practical on-the-job training, relating what you learn in support equipment school with actual aircraft handling, servicing, or maintenance. While in Phase 2 training, you are under the direct supervision of a qualified and licensed operator of the support equipment you are using. Licensing Once you complete training, you are eligible for a USN Aviation Support Equipment Operator's License (OPNAV 4790/102), commonly known as a "yellow license." This license is required to check out certain types of support equipment from the AIMD support equipment division and/or to operate the support equipment. When you complete Phase 1, a certificate of completion is issued to your unit. It certifies completion of Phase 1 training   only   and   does not authorize you to operate any given piece of support equipment. When you complete Phase 2 training in your unit, you are issued your "yellow license," which is signed by your commanding officer (or the aircraft maintenance officer if he/she is so authorized in writing by the commanding officer). Your "yellow license" is good for 3 years from the date issued for each specific type of support equipment and aircraft. After 3 years you must requalify. If you transfer to a new outfit with different types of aircraft, your license is not valid. You must requalify under Phase 2 training for the new types of aircraft and be issued a new license. Misuse/Abuse Your commanding officer has the responsibility to revoke your yellow license under the following conditions: 9-19