below the main hoisting sheaves. An arrangement of hoisting and idler sheaves in the upper end of the elevator trunk allows the platform to be raised flush with the flight deck. Safety devices of upper-stage elevators are essentially identical to those for lower-stage elevators. Control  equipment  for  upper-stage  elevators  are essentially identical to those for lower-stage elevators. Operator  control  panels  are  located  at  each  station served. Weapons Elevator Maintenance and Safety The weapons department is responsible for maintaining   all   weapons   elevators   aboard   aircraft carriers.   As   an   AO,   you   will   perform   preventive maintenance  and  repair  elevator  systems.  The  IWHS elevators are located close to the 5,500-pound elevators.    Consequently,    the    same    personnel    are required  to  operate,  maintain,  and  troubleshoot  both types of elevators, even though they differ significantly in design and level of sophistication. Although  the  primary  responsibility  of  elevator maintenance   rests   with   the   AO,   some   maintenance procedures  require  the  assistance  of  personnel  within other   ratings,   such   as   Machinist   Mate   (MM)   and Electricians Mate (EM). When this requirement exists, it is noted on the PMS card. All electrical power requirements for the weapons handling system come from the ship's service 440-volt, three-phase,  60-hertz  power  supplied  throughout  the system.  Ship's  service  power  is  converted  to  other  ac and  dc  voltages  by  either  the  controllers  or  control panels to meet system equipment requirements. For   the   safety   of   maintenance   personnel,   the tag-out  and  tag-in  system  has  been  established.  The steps  within  this  system  are  standardized  throughout the Navy. You should comply with your ship's tag-out procedures to ensure safety. Ship's    service    sound-powered    telephones    are located at each operator control station. They are used to    supplement    weapons    handling    system    control indicators  and  coordinate  operations  between  various deck  levels.  An  elevator  must  not  be  dispatched  from one deck to another until communications between the sending   operator   and   receiving   operator   have   been established. In addition to OJT, most commands require that all personnel operating elevators possess a valid operator’s license.   The   license   should   reflect   the   type(s)   of elevator(s) the individual is authorized to operate. For example, an operator may be authorized to operate all elevator systems at any control station, or an individual with less training may only be authorized to operate the 5,500-pound elevator systems at any station except the 2nd deck main control station. REVIEW NUMBER 3 Q1. What decks are serviced by lower-stage elevators? Q2. What device is used to bridge the gap in the door opening between an elevator platform and the deck? Q3. If  an  elevator  suspension  rope  breaks,  what mechanism automatically operates to lock the platform to the guide rails? Q4. If an elevator over travels upward beyond the maximum   up-stage   position,   what   device actuates,  stopping  the  elevator  and  shutting off power to the hoisting winch? Q5. Upper-stage elevators are used __________________. Q6. What decks are serviced by IWHS lower-stage elevators? Q7. The platform machinery for an IWHS lower-stage  elevator  is  located  on  the  ____ deck. Q8. The   only   weapons   elevators   that   provide access to the flight deck are the ___________. Q9. The  primary  responsibility  for  maintaining weapons elevators belongs to the ____ rate. Q10. What electrical power is required to operate the weapons elevators? WEAPONS MOVEMENT The  movement  of  ammunition  consists  of  routine operations    such    as    intramagazine    movement    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 11-22