task at an advanced base. It is a carefully balanced combination of material, equipment, and/or personnel. Each functional component is grouped according to its primary function into 1 of 11 major groups, including aviation. Each major group is identified by letter designation and title. The functional components contained in each are identified by a combination letter, number, and its title designation. The major group designation for aviation is “H.” “H” components are designed to provide maintenance, support, and operation of aircraft in an advanced area under combat conditions. “H” components may be combined with other functional components to form several types of air stations. Complete information and data are given in the abridged and the detailed outfitting lists for functional components. It should be apparent to the AMEC that the advanced base requirements may not be exactly as they appear in the Advanced Base Initial Outfitting Lists. To use these lists as guides, it will be necessary, in most cases, to alter or tailor them to fit the individual needs of the unit about to deploy. Other necessary repair parts, supplies, and equipment may be determined from the outfitting lists for the aircraft or other weapon systems to be supported. It is quite likely that the AMEC will be required to advise the personnel office in making assignments of individuals to advance base or forward area operating units. It would seem logical that the number of AMEs assigned to deploy be in the same ratio as the percentage of supported aircraft scheduled to deploy. This may be true if the proposed flight hours per aircraft of the detachment exactly equalled the planned utilization of the remaining aircraft. There must also be no significant environmental problems to be overcome (i.e., excessive heat or excessive cold conditions, depending on the location of deployment). The list of personnel assigned to deploy should represent a cross section of the skill levels available unless special maintenance factors indicate otherwise. The selection of personnel should be made as objectively as possible so the deployed unit can function as safely and efficiently as possible. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES Learning Objective: Identify safety precautions for working with hazardous substances and equipment. There are many ways for a careless or inexperienced worker to hurt themselves or others on the job. This section discusses safety precautions in three hazardous work areas: liquid oxygen, gaseous oxygen, and high pressure air. Other specific safety precautions are discussed in OPNAVINST 5100.19 (series). It has been said that every safety precaution has been originally written in blood. There is no room for complacency in the performance of AME tasks. Every job must be performed in a “heads-up” manner to ensure maximum safety awareness is maintained. Anything less can and will be disastrous. LIQUID OXYGEN Aviators breathing oxygen (ABO) comes in both gaseous (type 1) and liquid (type 11) states. Liquid oxygen (LOX) is converted to a gas before its delivered to the aircrew. LOX requires frequent monitoring to prevent contamination and to ensure safe use. A surveillance program is the primary method of ensuring that each operation in the LOX supply system is carried out in strict compliance with established procedures. Surveil- lance begins with procurement or generation of LOX and continues throughout storage, handling, transfer, and servicing of aircraft. The best assurance of personnel safety lies in the safety education of the people themselves. The safety of personnel can be assured only when there is thorough understanding of potential hazards, the correct procedures and equipment are used, and the equipment is in good working condition. Knowledge of a job situation and appropriate safety equipment is vital to successful completion of a job. Follow established safety procedures in NAVAIR 06-30-501. Description and Properties of Liquid Oxygen Oxygen can exist as a solid or gas, depending upon the temperature and pressure under which it is stored. At atmospheric pressure, oxygen exists as a solid at temperatures below its melting point, – 361°F (–281°C). Solid oxygen turns into a 1-4