with less training may only be authorized to operate the 5,500-pound elevator systems at any station except the 2d deck main control station. Q1. Q2. Q3. Q4. Q5. Q6. Q7. Q8. Q9. Q10. REVIEW NUMBER 3 What decks are serviced by lower-stage elevators? What device is used to bridge the gap in the door opening between an elevator platform and the deck? If an elevator suspension rope breaks, what mechanism automatically operates to lock the platform to the guide rails? If an elevator overtravels upward beyond the maximum up-stage position, what device actuates, stopping the elevator and shutting off power to the hoisting winch? U p p e r - s t a g e  e l e v a t o r s  a r e  u s e d . What decks are serviced by IWHS lower-stage elevators? The platform machinery for an IWHS lower- stage elevator is located on the_____ deck. The only weapons elevators that provide a c c e s s  t o  t h e  f l i g h t  d e c k  a r e  t h e The primary responsibility for maintaining weapons elevators belongs to the _____ rate. What electrical power is required to operate the weapons elevators ? WEAPONS MOVEMENT The movement of ammunition consists of routine operations such as intramagazine movement (fig. 11-19) and movement of weapons and components in support of flight operations. It may also consist of major evolutions, such as ship rearmament or major loading and off-loading operations. Regardless of the size of the operation, anytime weapons or explosives are removed from their proper stowage environment, the opportunity for the occurrence of an ordnance mishap is much greater. Therefore, one of the most important factors of any ordnance evolution is preplanning. Additionally, a safety-first attitude must be paramount. Weapons Movement in Support of Flight Operations To enable squadron personnel to meet the short turnaround time of the flight schedule requirements, weapons must be preassembled and located in staging areas on the hangar deck with sufficient lead time. The area of the hangar deck that is to be used as a weapons staging area must be coordinated with the hangar-deck control officer. The weapons can’t interfere with the movement of aircraft or obstruct fire lanes, but they must be positioned so they are protected by the hangar-bay sprinkler system. This area should be located as close as possible to the aircraft elevator doors to provide a means for jettisoning the weapons overboard in the event of an emergency. Anytime live ordnance is staged on the hangar deck, a security watch must be posted to restrict the area to authorized personnel only and to initiate movement of the weapons in case of an emergency. The weapons staging area on the flight deck is located outboard of the island structure and inboard of the catwalk or deck edge for aircraft carriers and behind the island on LHA and LND amphibious class ships. This area is commonly called the “bomb farm.” Anytime live ordnance is present, this area is manned by the bomb-farm watch. Bomb-farm watch personnel maintain direct communication with the aviation ordnance control station (AOCS). In addition to security of the ordnance, the bomb-farm watch issues ordnance to squadron personnel according to the ship’s ordnance load plan. The bomb-farm staging area also incorporates an emergency jettison ramp. The emergency jettison ramp, when in the rigged position (down), forms a ramp from the flight deck edge to an opening in the outboard bulkhead of the catwalk. This provides a path for jettisoning weapons overboard during an emergency. Additionally, jettison ramps are located fore and aft on the port and starboard sides of the flight deck so weapons can be jettisoned by aircraft loading crews during an emergency. Be careful when the emergency jettison ramps are rigged; they bypass the catwalk and safety net. When the ramps are in the stowed (raised) position, they form part of the catwalk structure. The bomb farm is routinely replenished with weapons from the hangar deck staging area between the launch and recovery of aircraft. The weapons are transported from the hangar deck to the flight deck by the upper-stage weapons elevators or deck-edge aircraft elevators. 11-28