CHAPTER 11
AMMUNITION STORAGE AND HANDLING AFLOAT
The ammunition used by the U.S. Navy must be
maintained in a state of readiness at all times. Improper,
rough, or careless handling, storage, and shipping can
result in malfunctioning ammunition and material
damage or loss of life.
ORDNANCE CERTIFICATION
LEARNING
OBJECTIVE:
Identify
the
purpose and use of the Explosives Handling
Personnel Qualification and Certification
Program, OPNAVINST 8023.2.
The Explosives Handling Personnel Qualification
and Certification Program (Qual/Cert) was established
by the Chief of Naval Operations as a result of the
catastrophic MK-24 parachute flare accident on USS
ORISKANY in 1966 that led to significant loss of life
and major ship damage. The Flag Board of Inquiry
concluded the accident was attributed to a lack of
training, direct supervision, and a method to determine
personnel qualifications prior to being authorized to
handle explosives. Qual/Cert, with proper oversight
and management, can prevent similar accidents.
Although Qual/Cert has been in effect for over 30 years,
improper handling, loading, processing or testing of
explosive devices continues to result in death, injury
and extensive high dollar damage to equipment.
Research has shown personnel error due to inadequate
training, lack of adequate supervision, lack of or
inadequate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), or
just plain failure to follow the governing technical
directives causes the majority of explosive mishaps.
Qual/Cert is intended to be the cornerstone for a ZERO
DEFECT SAFETY PROGRAM. The Explosives
Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification
Program is governed by OPNAVINST 8023.2.
DEFINITIONS
Before you read about ordnance certification, you
need to know the terminology that will be used in this
discussion. The following definitions will help when
working with the Qual/Cert program and completing
the Ordnance Certification Format (fig. 11-1).
Storage/Stowage.
Physical
act
of
stowing
explosive/explosive
devices
in
designated
and
approved
magazines
and
ready
service
lockers.
Demonstrated knowledge of afloat/ashore storage/
stowage requirements per applicable instructions/
directives.
Handling. Physical act of transporting or moving
explosives/explosive devices afloat or ashore, with
powered equipment, with nonpowered equipment, or
manually.
Assembly/Disassembly. Physical act of mating/
demating component to/from an All Up Round (AUR)
configuration. This work task code is used when
assembly/disassembly is authorized in applicable
Weapons Assembly Manuals (WAM).
Load/Download. Physical act of mating an AUR
with
the
bomb
rack/launcher
from
which
delivery/initiation is authorized. Includes all operations
incidental to aircraft loading/downloading included in
those portions of the NAVAIR Conventional Weapons
Loading Checklists, shipboard loading/downloading of
CIWS, and NATO Sea Sparrow systems as listed in
applicable MRC’s. Includes functions such as the
installation of mechanical bomb fuzes, arming wires,
electrical/mechanical connections, installing bands on
LUU-2 flares, MK-58 MLM’s and rack/launcher
cartridges.
Arm/De-Arm.
Applies
to
those
procedures
contained in the arm/ dearm section of the applicable
NAVAIR loading manuals/checklist and NAVSEA
MRC’s which places an explosive/explosive device or
system in an armed or safe condition. This does not
include the installation of CADS/PADS in seats to
place them in an armed condition. Arm/dearm as it
pertains to Aircraft Egress Systems is covered in
install/remove.
11-1
