30 September 2008

Joint Shipboard

Helicopter Operations

Joint Publication 3-04
PREFACE 

i 

1. Scope 

 This publication provides doctrine for planning, coordinating, and conducting joint 

shipboard helicopter operations from US ships with flight decks. 

2. Purpose 

 This publication has been prepared under the direction of the Chairman of the Joint 

Chiefs of Staff. It sets forth joint doctrine to govern the activities and performance of the 

Armed Forces of the United States in operations and provides the doctrinal basis for 

interagency coordination and for US military involvement in multinational operations. It 

provides military guidance for the exercise of authority by combatant commanders and 

other joint force commanders (JFCs) and prescribes joint doctrine for operations and 

training. It provides military guidance for use by the Armed Forces in preparing their 

appropriate plans. It is not the intent of this publication to restrict the authority of the 

JFC from organizing the force and executing the mission in a manner the JFC deems 

most appropriate to ensure unity of effort in the accomplishment of the overall objective. 

3. Application 

 a. Joint doctrine and selected guidance established in this publication apply to the 

commanders of combatant commands, subunified commands, joint task forces, and 

subordinate components of these commands, and the Services. 

 b. The guidance in this publication is authoritative; as such, this doctrine will be 

followed except when, in the judgment of the commander, exceptional circumstances 

dictate otherwise. If conflicts arise between the contents of this publication and the 

contents of Service publications, this publication will take precedence unless the 

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, normally in coordination with the other members 

of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has provided more current and specific guidance. 

Commanders of forces operating as part of a multinational (alliance or coalition) military 

command should follow multinational doctrine and procedures ratified by the United 
Preface 

ii JP 3-04 

States. For doctrine and procedures not ratified by the United States, commanders should 

evaluate and follow the multinational command’s doctrine and procedures, where 

applicable and consistent with US law, regulations, and doctrine. 

 For the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff: 

STANLEY A. MCCHRYSTAL 

Lieutenant General, USA 

Director, Joint Staff 
iii 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PAGE 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................v 

CHAPTER I 

 INTRODUCTION TO JOINT SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER OPERATIONS 

• Purpose..................................................................................................................I-1 

• General................................................................................................................. I-1 

CHAPTER II 

 PLANNING 

• Joint Force Commander Considerations............................................................. II-1 

• Compatibility Analysis ....................................................................................... II-3 

• General Planning Considerations........................................................................ II-9 

• Predeployment Training and Certification........................................................ II-20 

• Embarkation Planning....................................................................................... II-22 

• Debarkation Planning........................................................................................ II-26 

• Safety ................................................................................................................ II-27 

• Ordnance........................................................................................................... II-32 

• Electromagnetic Environmental Effects ........................................................... II-34 

CHAPTER III 

OPERATIONS 

• Embarkation....................................................................................................... III-1 

• Shipboard Command Relationships................................................................... III-3 

• Flight and Hangar Deck Operations .................................................................. III-4 

CHAPTER IV 

 SUSTAINMENT 

• General...............................................................................................................IV-1 

• Maintenance Considerations..............................................................................IV-2 

• Other Logistics and Personnel Service Considerations .....................................IV-5 

APPENDIX 

• A Shipboard Helicopter Operations Publications............................................... A-1 

• B Sample Formats................................................................................................B-1 

• C Predeployment Planning Checklists.................................................................C-1 

• D References....................................................................................................... D-1 
Table of Contents 

iv 

• E Administrative Instructions ..............................................................................E-1 

GLOSSARY 

Part I Acronyms and Abbreviations .................................................................... GL-1 

Part II Terms and Definitions................................................................................ GL-5 

FIGURE 

II-1 Planning Points of Contact on Aircraft Carriers........................................ II-11 

II-2 Planning Points of Contact on Amphibious Aviation Ships...................... II-12 

II-3 Planning Points of Contact on Air-Capable Ships...................................... II-13 

II-4 US Army/US Air Force Deck Landing Requirements for 

 One-Spot Ships & Multi-Spot Ships........................................................... II-22 

II-5 Predicted Cold-Water Survival Times....................................................... II-33 

IV-1 Logistic Considerations .............................................................................. IV-8 
v 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

COMMANDER’S OVERVIEW 

• Provides an Introduction to Joint Shipboard Helicopter Operations 

• Details Planning Factors Associated with Joint Shipboard Helicopter 

Operations 

• Discusses Operational Requirements 

• Describes Sustainment and Maintenance Considerations 

Introduction 

The environment in which 

joint shipboard helicopter 

operations (JSHO) are 

conducted demands the 

ultimate in teamwork. 

Joint shipboard helicopter operations (JSHO) rank among 

the most challenging types of joint operations. JSHO 

require US Army, US Air Force, and special operations 

personnel operate alongside US Navy (USN), US Marine 

Corps (USMC), and US Coast Guard (USCG) personnel in 

unfamiliar work and living spaces, with equipment not 

specifically designed for shipboard capability, and in an 

operating environment which is characterized by tightly 

constrained space and an unforgiving nature. It is 

incumbent every soldier or airman embarked understand 

their responsibilities during the many evolutions that 

transpire during each ship’s daily routine and the 

challenges those evolutions present to their unit’s daily 

operations. 

Unlike some joint operations where the Services are 

assigned operational areas and interact with each other on 

the margins (via communications channels, across 

boundary lines, etc.), JSHO require continuous interaction, 

coordination, and teamwork to accomplish the simplest of 

tasks. 

Planning 

Mission tradeoffs. When planning JSHO, joint force commanders (JFCs) must 

consider a number of factors, the foremost of which are the 

impact such operations may have on the overall joint 

operation. Among these considerations are the mission 

tradeoffs associated with the displacement of naval aircraft; 

the removal of the ship from its place in the expeditionary 
Executive Summary 

vi JP 3-04 

strike group or carrier strike group; and the degradation of 

ship and/or embarked unit mission capabilities resulting 

from emission control or hazards of electromagnetic 

radiation to ordnance requirements, wind limitations, 

and/or location requirements. 

While the mission tradeoff impact of embarking other 

Service helicopters on small air-capable ships is rather 

straightforward, JSHO aboard an aircraft carrier or 

amphibious aviation assault ship is more difficult to assess 

because these ships are complex, multi-mission platforms. 

Further, the choreography required for high deck density 

operations necessitates meticulous planning. 

Ship and helicopter 

compatibilities. 

After determining the desired mission capabilities and 

selecting the mix of ships and helicopters, it is necessary to 

determine whether the ships and helicopters are 

compatible. When helicopters are embarked aboard ships 

with flight decks, physical incompatibilities can have a 

negative impact on the operational capabilities of both the 

ship and the embarking unit. It is incumbent upon the 

personnel of the embarking unit and the ship to analyze 

potential incompatibilities and take actions to minimize 

them in advance of operations. 

Once the personnel of the embarking unit and the ship have 

researched potential incompatibilities, a formal visit to the 

ship by the embarking unit's maintenance, logistics and 

operations personnel should be scheduled to inspect the 

operating, maintenance, storage areas and supporting 

equipment they will use aboard ship. Both ship and unit 

personnel should consider geometric fit issues during the 

planning process to determine ship certification levels and 

associated restrictions. Additionally, planners should 

thoroughly analyze helicopter characteristics and 

limitations, electromagnetic environmental effects, 

ordnance, and helicopter servicing compatibilities and 

develop mitigation strategies to accommodate integration. 

Predeployment planning. The elements of 

predeployment planning are: predeployment conference; 

embarking unit predeployment checklist; embarkation 

conference(s); pre-embarkation ship visit(s); and training 

and qualification requirements (safety, firefighting, 

ordnance handling, ship indoctrination, maintenance, 

aircrew, and deck landing qualification. 
Executive Summary 

vii 

Detailed predeployment 

planning is one of the most 

important factors for the 

successful and safe conduct 

of JSHO. 

Predeployment training and certification. Training 

requirements will be met except for immediate operational 

requirements where the success of the mission would be 

clearly jeopardized by delaying operations until required 

training can be obtained. Training requirements generally 

fall in either of two categories: pre-embarkation training or 

embarkation training. Ground maintenance personnel and 

aircrew assigned to helicopter detachments that maintain a 

capability to operate from ships will receive joint helicopter 

operations orientation training in order to ensure their 

safety and effectiveness at sea. Pilots obtain initial, 

recurrent, and requalification training for type aircraft in 

accordance with parent Service directives as appropriate. 

Before embarkation, helicopter detachments will be 

certified for shipboard operations by their unit commander 

or other authority. This certification will ensure that 

training requirements have been met and that the 

detachment has met parent-Service training requirements 

for the intended mission. Prior to operations, and when 

requested, the detachment officer in charge (OIC) will 

make available diagrams of embarked aircraft to the 

helicopter control officer or air officer (air boss) and crash 

and salvage parties prior to operations. 

Embarkation Planning. Embarkation planning involves 

reverse planning from the objective, to the landing zone, to 

the ship, and to the port of embarkation such that the 

equipment that will be needed first is the last equipment 

loaded onboard ship. Successful embarkation plan 

development requires early coordination between the 

embarking unit and the ship’s crew. The embarkation 

process will be enhanced by assigning single points of 

contact for both the ship and the embarking unit. It is 

imperative that the unit and ship embarkation coordinators 

work together to develop embarkation milestones. Once 

the milestones are published, changes must be coordinated 

through both the unit and the ship. 

Debarkation Planning. There are two debarkation 

processes: mission debarkation (i.e., leaving the ship to 

conduct the mission) and post-mission debarkation (i.e., 

leaving the ship and not anticipating a return). Essential 

mission debarkation planning elements are: milestones; 

load planning; shipboard coordination; staging; etc. Postmission debarkation planning issues include: timeline; 

support requirements (shore, ship); ordinance; hazardous 
Executive Summary 

viii JP 3-04 

material offload; helicopter fly-off; etc. 

Safety. The commanding officer (CO) of the ship has 

supervisory responsibility for the safety of embarked 

helicopters at all times. The helicopter unit CO or 

detachment OIC and the individual aircraft pilots are 

directly responsible for the safety of assigned aircraft and 

personnel. Parent commands should provide embarking 

units with appropriate water survival aviation life support 

equipment and train them on the proper care and use during 

normal unit train-up. Awareness of ship hazards and their 

locations is the first step toward safety aboard ship. Much 

of this information will be presented during shipboard 

indoctrination conducted by the ship’s safety department 

after unit embarkation. 

Ordnance. The movement, handling, and stowage of 

explosive ordnance carried aboard ships and aircraft is 

inherently dangerous. Shipboard handling/stowage of 

ammunition/explosives is therefore governed by the most 

definitive and restrictive Department of Defense 

regulations and precautions. 

Safety must not be jeopardized by either the introduction of 

weapons not approved for shipboard employment or use of 

inadequately trained personnel to accomplish explosive 

tasks. Ordnance onload requires extensive pre-planning 

and coordination by ship’s force. It is imperative that the 

embarking helicopter detachment keeps ship safety 

personnel up to date on a continual basis regarding the 

types and quantities of ordnance to be loaded/employed. 

The qualification and certification of personnel tasked with 

the safe and efficient handling of aviation ordnance is no 

more effective than the command certification of a 

thorough and effective training program that covers each. 

Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3). 

Conducting flight operations on and around ships places a 

helicopter in close proximity to dozens of high-powered 

transmitters, and can make them susceptible to E3. Among 

the primary areas of concern for the planner are the 

susceptibility of unshielded helicopter electronic systems 

and non-maritime ordnance carried by 

helicopters/personnel to shipboard emitters and the 

susceptibility of shipboard sensors and communications to 

helicopter emitters. 
Executive Summary 

ix 

Joint service operations increase the potential for safety, 

interoperability, and reliability problems, if the platforms 

and their associated systems and equipment, including 

avionics, ordnance, and other embarked systems are 

exposed to an operational electromagnetic environment 

(EME) different from those for which they were designed 

and tested. Integrated joint operations aboard Navy aviation 

capable ships require a careful balance of weapons, 

emission control, delivery platforms, and ordnance 

handling procedures in the most extreme EMEs. 

Guidelines with respect to hazards of electromagnetic 

radiation to ordnance, fuels, and personnel must be adhered 

to. 

Operations

JSHO requires close 

coordination and proper 

actions by all personnel at 

all times. 

Helicopter operations from ships place both ship and flight 

personnel in a unique and demanding environment. 

Operational effectiveness and flight safety require 

extensive training in the areas of command and control, 

aircraft coordination, and flight deck procedures. In order 

to provide the required amount of teamwork and enhance 

flight safety, the air officer, aviation officer, detachment 

OIC, or a designated officer shall conduct extensive 

briefings to the ship’s commanding officer, executive 

officer, and all other appropriate ship’s officers and 

personnel. 

The combatant commander will define command 

relationships for contingency operations. These 

relationships must be clearly delineated for all participants. 

While USN and USCG regulations set forth the authority 

of the ship’s CO with respect to aircraft embarked in or 

operating from the ship, the JFC’s operation order will 

define command relationships for the assigned mission 

when operating with a helicopter detachment embarked. 

An embarked unit OIC reports directly to the ship’s CO, air 

wing commander, or authority specified by the JFC for the 

mission assigned. Administratively, the OIC normally 

reports to the ship’s executive officer for matters of day-today routine with respect to the embarked unit while 

embarked on the ship. 

Flight and Hangar Deck Operations. The ship’s CO has 

overall responsibility for all actions that take place on a 

ship to include the flight and hangar decks. Constant 
Executive Summary 

x JP 3-04 

vigilance is required to prevent personal injury or 

helicopter/equipment damage during flight and hangar deck 

operations. The embarked unit should plan on providing a 

flight deck liaison noncommissioned officer to facilitate 

close coordination with the ship’s personnel. 

Sustainment 

Sustaining helicopters 

designed for land operations 

with shipboard support 

systems may require 

modifications to standard 

practices. 

Space is very limited aboard ship. Therefore, helicopters 

may need to be repositioned frequently and expeditiously, 

often on a windy, wet and moving deck in close proximity 

to other aircraft and ship's structure. Helicopters designed 

for land operations typically require more space than 

helicopters designed for maritime operations. Most do not 

have automatic blade folding systems but do have limited 

manual blade fold capability to enable transportation 

aboard ship or aircraft. Accordingly, it may be necessary to 

alter established practices when using shipboard support 

equipment with helicopters designed for land operations 

because of both the helicopter's limitations and 

compatibilities with shipboard configurations. 

Conducting maintenance 

aboard ship is different from 

conducting maintenance in 

the field. 

While each class/type ship has different helicopter 

maintenance support capabilities and procedures, most 

shipboard helicopter maintenance must be conducted on 

the flight deck of the ship. Since flight decks are exposed 

to the elements and are in constant motion due to changing 

sea states, helicopter maintenance can be extremely 

hazardous at all times, but especially at night, in inclement 

weather, or when flight operations are in progress. 

Although a great deal of helicopter maintenance may be 

performed on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, the large 

deck edge elevators, large hangar door openings, and large 

hangars make it relatively easy to move most helicopters 

to/from the hangar deck for maintenance. Large 

amphibious ships have the same type of maintenance 

capabilities as the aircraft carrier, although in a somewhat 

smaller package. An embarking unit will find limited 

helicopter maintenance support available on these types of 

ships. Normal land-based helicopter maintenance 

procedures must be examined and, where required, 

modified for shipboard operations. 

Other logistic and personnel service considerations. The 

scope and details of the implementation of other logistic 
Executive Summary 

xi 

considerations such as funding; meals; supply requisitions; 

aviation fuel, ammunition, and hazardous material; and 

mail procedures are highly dependent on the duration and 

circumstances of a particular exercise or mission. A shortduration detachment will usually draw the bulk of its 

supply material from a parent-Service provided packup kit. 

Material support for detachments of longer duration will be 

better served by establishing an independent unit identity, 

especially when shipboard operations will be conducted 

outside the umbrella of the parent-Service support 

infrastructure. 

CONCLUSION 

This publication provides doctrine for planning, 

coordinating, and conducting joint shipboard helicopter 

operations from US ships with flight decks. 
Executive Summary 

xii JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
CHAPTER I 

INTRODUCTION TO JOINT SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER OPERATIONS 

I-1 

1. Purpose 

 a. This publication provides general guidance for integrating any Service helicopter 

onboard air-capable ships (ACSs), amphibious aviation assault ships (AAASs), and aviation 

ships (aircraft carriers) for operations from the sea. 

 b. Authoritative multi-Service and Service publications containing technical data, safety 

of flight information, and other guidance subject to periodic reviews are appropriately 

referenced throughout this publication. A comprehensive listing of relevant references is 

provided in Appendix A, “Shipboard Helicopter Operations Publications.” 

2. General 

a. Each ship class is different in this regard; however, all aspects of the ship must be 

shared such as command and control (C2) facilities, office spaces, maintenance spaces, flight 

deck, hangar deck, medical and dental facilities, storage areas, logistics, messing, and berthing. 

Unlike some joint operations where the Services are assigned operational areas and interact 

with each other on the margins (via communications channels, across boundary lines, etc.), 

joint shipboard helicopter operations (JSHO) require continuous interaction, coordination, and 

teamwork to accomplish the simplest of tasks. Poor interaction and coordination can result in 

personnel injury and equipment damage. If not quickly identified and mitigated, Service 

differences in terminology, training, equipment, and standing operating procedures, will be 

magnified and may develop into significant challenges. 

 b. A ship provides the combined benefits of a landing zone, maintenance and work 

areas, refueling platform, air operations planning facilities, and C2. The ship also provides for 

sustainment, living, dining, and recreation provisions, as well as other daily necessities such as 

the ship’s laundry, store, and barber shop. 

 c. Above all else, the shipboard environment demands the ultimate in teamwork. At any 

time there can be an event, combat-related or otherwise (e.g., heavy weather), that may affect 

all personnel aboard the ship. Even during peacetime the ever-present dangers of flooding or 

fire can require sounding “general quarters, (GQ)” which stations the crew (including 

helicopter detachments) to an assigned battle station. It is important to understand the potential 

lethality of the flight deck environment during flight operations. If an aircraft mishap occurs, 

there is the real possibility of a major conflagration because of the explosive characteristics of 

fuel and ordnance that, if not properly responded to, may cause the loss of ship and lives. It is 

incumbent on every one embarked in a ship to know their responsibilities during the many 

"The helicopter is probably the most versatile instrument ever invented by 

man. It approaches closer than any other to fulfillment of mankind's ancient 

dreams of the flying horse and the magic carpet." 

---Igor Sikorsky, 13 September 1959 
Chapter I 

I-2 JP 3-04 

evolutions that transpire during normal ship’s routine. The ship’s company (crew) has the 

responsibility to impart that knowledge to personnel not familiar with ship surroundings. 

 d. Daily shipboard routine is promulgated in the ship’s plan of the day (POD). The 

POD is the primary means of announcing each day’s schedule of important events and will 

normally include the daily flight schedule on non-aviation ships, whereas on aviation ships it 

will be promulgated as a daily air plan. The ship’s executive officer (XO) is responsible for the 

POD. Commanders and officers in charge (OICs) of embarked units should be included in the 

POD development to better coordinate the use of common spaces, accommodate training and 

operational activities, and ensure their units personnel fully understand shipboard 

responsibilities. For information that needs to be passed to the crew in a timely fashion, there is 

a general announcing system, known as 1MC. 

 e. General shipboard helicopter operations and procedures as well as specific mission 

tactics are not covered in this publication. Consult the source documents listed in Appendix A, 

“Shipboard Helicopter Operations Publications” for specific procedures. Wind envelopes (the 

wind limits for individual helicopter and ship combinations) are contained in the following 

Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) program 

publications and Commandant, United States Coast Guard (USCG) instruction 

(COMDTINST): 

 (1) Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) 00-80T-105, CV NATOPS Manual 

 (2) NAVAIR 00-80T-106, LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual 

 (3) NAVAIR 00-80T-122, Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air-Capable 

Ships NATOPS Manual 

 (4) COMDTINST M3710.2, Shipboard-Helicopter Operational Procedures 

Manual. 

 f. If there is a conflict between authoritative technical manuals and the information in 

this publication the technical manual will take precedence. 
CHAPTER II 

PLANNING 

II-1 

1. Joint Force Commander Considerations 

 a. Mission Tradeoffs. When embarking other Service helicopters on Navy ships, 

there are three major ship mission tradeoffs to consider: 

 (1) Displacement of naval aircraft. 

 (2) Removal of the ship from its place in the expeditionary strike group (ESG) 

or carrier strike group in order to support the embarked unit. 

 (3) Degradation of ship and/or embarked unit mission capabilities resulting 

from emission control (EMCON)/hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance 

(HERO) requirements, wind limitations, and/or location requirements. 

 b. The impact of embarking other Service helicopters on a small ACS (such as a 

cruiser or destroyer) is easy to assess because their traditional missions are rather 

straightforward. 

 c. The impact of embarking other Service helicopters on an aircraft carrier or 

AAAS is more difficult to assess because the ships are complex, multi-mission platforms. 

 (1) If the footprint of embarking unit’s helicopters, when added to the carrier 

air wing (CVW)/aviation combat element (ACE) footprint, is larger than the maximum 

allowable ship deck density, some CVW or ACE aircraft will have to be debarked. 

 (2) The number of other Service helicopters embarked, including associated 

equipment and personnel, and the anticipated duration of the embarkation, drives mission 

area tradeoffs. 

 (a) The number and type of helicopters and numbers and ranks/rates of 

personnel will determine the number of naval aircraft and personnel that must be 

debarked to make room for the embarking units. 

 (b) Lost maritime mission capabilities may result from disruptions in 

normal flight operations and maintenance or having to debark a significant number of 

ship aircraft and personnel. 

 d. Large Scale Helicopter Operations. For large-scale operations involving 

battalion or brigade size aviation units, aircraft carriers, AAASs and/or multi-spot ships 

are required. Flight decks can only accommodate a limited number of helicopters. 

Folding rotor blades will increase the number of helicopters that may be embarked on a 

“Plan and train carefully. Execute rapidly. Simple plans are the best plans.” 

- War Instructions 

United States Navy, 1944 
Chapter II 

II-2 JP 3-04 

particular ship. However, manually folded rotor blades require more time to spread in 

order to launch the helicopter and may make mission accomplishment more difficult. On 

large deck ships it is possible to develop alternate spotting schemes that will 

accommodate large numbers of helicopters and that do not require blades to be folded. 

Contact Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst, New Jersey 

for assistance and approval of nonstandard spotting plans. The choreography required for 

high deck density operations necessitate meticulous planning. Cyclic flight operations 

can be planned and coordinated for operations from several ships simultaneously. Among 

the issues to consider are: 

 (1) Wave/serial composition 

 (2) Distance to the landing zone/ target area 

 (3) Time required to respot the deck for the next wave/serial 

 (4) Arrangements for a helicopter requiring an emergency landing 

 e. Ship/Unit Capabilities and Limitations. To effectively plan JSHO, the joint 

planner should be familiar with the various classifications of ship aviation capabilities. 

 (1) Air-Capable Flight Deck Information. US air-capable flight deck 

information is contained in the annually updated Naval Air Engineering CenterEngineering (NAEC-ENG)-7576, Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume produced by 

NAWCAD, Lakehurst. This document describes and depicts aircraft landing, vertical 

replenishment (VERTREP)/hover, and helicopter in-flight refueling (HIFR) facilities 

aboard aviation ships. The data is compiled from aviation facility certification inspection 

team reports. 

 (2) Air-Capable Ships. Most ships are classified as ACSs, which are 

characterized by small flight decks on the stern, bow, or both. Due to the size of some 

smaller flight decks, certain helicopters are limited to hover operations only. Most flight 

decks provide one helicopter landing spot, although some provide two or four landing 

spots. ACSs are divided into three levels which describe the environmental conditions in 

which each ship is capable of operating. 

 (a) Level I ships are capable of operations day or night, in visual 

meteorological conditions (VMC) or instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), and 

are equipped with tactical air navigation (TACAN) and ultrahigh frequency (UHF) 

homing. 

 (b) Level II ships are capable of day or night, VMC operations only 

 (c) Level III ships are capable of day, VMC operations only 
Planning 

 II-3 

 (d) Each level is further divided into seven classes which describe specific 

type helicopter support capability of each ship: 

 1. Class 1 ships provide landing clearance, a hangar, fuel and electrical 

service, and full maintenance facilities 

 2. Class 2 ships provide landing clearance plus fuel and electrical 

service 

 3. Class 2A ships provide landing clearance plus fuel and direct current 

electrical service 

 4. Class 3 ships provide landing clearance 

 5. Class 4 ships provide hover clearance down to five feet 

 6. Class 5 ships provide hover clearance above 15 feet 

 7. Class 6 ships provide HIFR 

Refer to NAVAIR 00-80T-122, Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air-Capable Ships 

NATOPS Manual for detailed procedures when operating with Navy ACS or to 

COMDTINST M3710.2, Shipboard-Helicopter Operational Procedures Manual. 

 (3) Amphibious Aviation Assault Ships. The Navy has two ship classes which 

fall into this category: amphibious assault ship (general purpose) (LHA), and amphibious 

assault ship (dock) (LHD). These ships are characterized by large flight decks with 

multiple landing spots, a large hangar below the flight deck, and full maintenance and 

service capabilities. These ships are day and night all-helicopter and vertical/short 

takeoff and landing operations capable, aided by a TACAN and full radar services from 

the helicopter direction center (HDC). Refer to NAVAIR 00-80T-106, LHA/LHD 

NATOPS Manual, for detailed procedures when operating with AAAS. 

 (4) Aviation Ships. Conventional aircraft carriers (CVs) and nuclear aircraft 

carriers (CVNs) are the only ships in this category. Helicopters can expect full services 

and maintenance support when operating from aviation ships. The carrier air traffic 

control center provides complete radar service in all weather, day and night. Refer to 

NAVAIR 00-80T-105, CV NATOPS Manual and NAVAIR 00-80T-120, CV NATOPS for 

Flight Deck and Hangar Deck, for detailed procedures when operating with aviation 

ships. 

2. Compatibility Analysis 

After determining the desired mission capabilities and selecting the mix of ships and 

helicopters, it is necessary to determine whether the ships and helicopters are compatible. 
Chapter II 

II-4 JP 3-04 

If there are incompatibilities, then planning their integration must include mitigation 

efforts. 

 a. General. When helicopters are embarked aboard ships with flight decks, 

physical incompatibilities can have a negative impact on the operational capabilities of 

both the ship and the embarking unit. It is incumbent upon the personnel of the 

embarking unit and the ship to analyze potential incompatibilities and take actions to 

minimize them in advance of operations. Failure to do so can lead to significant 

operational problems, damage to equipment and/or injury to personnel. Factors to 

consider include: 

 (1) Severely limited space for flight operations, maintenance and storage 

 (2) High power electromagnetic emitters operating in close proximity to aircraft 

and personnel and HERO 

 (3) Limited options for alternate landing sites 

 (4) Heightened fire risks due to crowded conditions and proximity of ordnance 

 (5) Varying and sometimes severe ship motion 

 (6) Frequent high, turbulent winds 

 (7) Frequently obscured or indistinct horizon IMC 

 (8) Exposure of equipment to the corrosive effects of salt spray 

 (9) Sudden loss of ground effect 

 (10) Helicopter limits (rotor engage/disengage, launch/recovery/pitch/roll, etc.) 

 (11) Overwater navigation aids (automatic direction finder, nondirectional 

beacon, high frequency homing, etc.) 

 b. Once the personnel of the embarking unit and the ship have researched potential 

incompatibilities, a formal visit to the ship by the embarking unit's maintenance, logistics 

and operations personnel should be scheduled. 

 (1) It is imperative that the personnel of the embarking unit inspect the 

operating, maintenance, storage areas and supporting equipment they will use aboard 

ship. Quite often, additional compatibility issues will arise after the embarking unit has 

examined available/assigned ship facilities. 

 (2) The sources listed in Appendix A, “Shipboard Helicopter Operations 

Publications,” may be useful for identifying known compatibility issues. 
Planning 

 II-5 

 c. Geometric Fit/Deck Load Limits. Both ship and unit personnel should 

consider geometric fit issues during the planning process. Among the issues to consider 

are: 

 (1) Deck and elevator load limits 

 (2) Flight deck, elevator, hangar deck fit (blades spread, folded and/or 

removed) 

 (3) Take-off and landing spots 

 (4) Maintenance areas 

 d. Rotorcraft Weight Classifications. The following rotorcraft classifications are 

based on maximum gross weight (MGW): 

 (1) Ultra rotorcraft: MGW > 100,000 pounds (lbs) 

 (2) Heavy rotorcraft: MGW > 70,000 lbs to 100,000 lbs 

 (3) Medium rotorcraft: MGW 24,000 lbs to 70,000 lbs 

 (4) Light rotorcraft: MWG < 24,000 lbs 

Additionally, long range rotorcrafts are designated to have a combat radius of 210-500 

nautical miles. 

 e. A detailed safety analysis involving aircraft fit and deck and elevator strength 

must be completed before embarking any helicopter aboard a ship. For many helicopters, 

this has already been done. The results of these analyses are used to determine ship 

certification levels and associated restrictions, which are published in the NAEC-ENG7576, Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume. Requests to deviate from the certification 

and restrictions published in the Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume must be addressed 

to fleet commanders in the form of a waiver request. Waiver requests for the Navy 

should go to Commander, Naval Surface Force Pacific (Code N431D), information 

Commander, Pacific Fleet (COMPACFLT) for West Coast ships or to Commander, 

Naval Surface Force Atlantic (Code N42), and information Commander, US Fleet Forces 

Command (COMUSFLTFORCOM) for East Coast ships. Waivers, if approved, will be 

granted by COMPACFLT or COMUSFLTFORCOM. 

 f. Contingency and crisis response operations may generate questions regarding 

nonstandard aircraft spotting to achieve a greater deck density or more rapid launch 

sequence than would otherwise be permitted. Should this situation arise ships should 

contact the NAWCAD Lakehurst, New Jersey, for assistance in analyzing and approving 

nonstandard spotting. NAWCAD may have knowledge of previous operations with the 

proposed helicopter and ship combination. NAWCAD engineers can help in resolving fit 
Chapter II 

II-6 JP 3-04 

issues and determining best spotting arrangements for the proposed aircraft mix and 

operating concept. 

 g. Helicopter Characteristics/Limitations. All helicopters have design 

limitations that affect the way they are moved and operated. The shipboard environment 

may require modifications to unit standard operating procedures (SOPs). The following 

helicopter capabilities and limitations should be addressed and considered prior to 

conducting shipboard operations: 

 (1) Heavy weather capability (tie-down (TD) points, blade harness/TD, etc.) 

 (2) Danger areas 

 (3) Blade arcs (vertical and horizontal clearances) 

 (4) Engine/auxiliary power unit exhaust (velocity and temperature profile) 

 (5) Rotor downwash (velocity and pattern) 

 (6) Overwater safety provisions (egress system design/survival equipment) 

 (7) Water landing capabilities (expected float time) 

 (8) Door/window jettison 

 (9) Rafts/flotation devices 

 (10) Signal devices (day, night, visual, aural) 

 (11) Beacon 

 (12) Rescue harness 

 (13) Self-contained search and rescue (SAR) capabilities (winch, spotlight) 

 (14) Loiter capability 

 (15) Range capability 

 (16) Overwater navigation capability 

 (17) Wind limits (azimuth and velocity) 

 (18) Startup/shutdown (transient revolutions per minute (RPM)) 

 (19) Launch/recovery wind envelopes 
Planning 

 II-7 

 (20) Blades static (tied down and not tied down) 

 (21) Folding operations/blades folded 

 (22) Pitch/roll limits 

 (23) Rotor coast down (rotor brake equipped vs. non-rotor brake equipped) 

 (24) Pilot and crew field of view/blind spots 

 (25) Landing signalman enlisted (LSE) placement 

 (26) Lighting (night vision device (NVD)) 

(27) External lights (masthead, rotor tip, tail, navigation) 

 (28) Sling load/capability operations 

 (29) Communications capability/radio configuration 

Most of the above can be obtained from the aircraft operator's manual or unit SOP. Some 

limitations may not be established. In those cases, units should refer to the manufacturer 

or to units with prior experience operating the same or similar helicopter aboard ship. 

 h. Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E3). E3 is the impact of the 

electromagnetic environment (EME) upon the operational capability of military forces, 

equipment, systems, and platforms. It encompasses all electromagnetic disciplines, 

including electromagnetic compatibility and electromagnetic interference (EMI); 

electromagnetic vulnerability (EMV); electromagnetic pulse; electronic protection, 

hazards of electromagnetic radiation to personnel (HERP), HERO, and hazardous of 

electromagnetic radiation to fuel (HERF); and natural phenomena effects of lightning and 

precipitation static. Planners should thoroughly research helicopter and ship E3 emitter 

profiles and individual system susceptibilities and develop mitigation strategies to 

accommodate integration. Currently there is no central repository for information 

regarding emitters and susceptibilities for ships and helicopters. Information on ship's 

emitter profiles may be obtained from the electronic warfare officer (EWO) aboard each 

ship. Information on helicopter emitters may be found in the applicable helicopter 

operating manual, or by contacting unit directly. (Individual system susceptibilities may 

be available from classified sources.) 

For specific guidance on E3 planning, refer to paragraph 9, "Electromagnetic 

Environmental Effects (E3).”

 i. Planners should thoroughly research emitter profiles and individual system 

susceptibilities for both helicopter and ship and develop mitigation strategies to 
Chapter II 

II-8 JP 3-04 

accommodate integration. Information on ships’ emitter profiles may be obtained from 

the EWO aboard each ship. Information on helicopter emitters may be found in the 

applicable helicopter operating manual, or by contacting the embarking unit directly. 

Individual system susceptibilities may be available from classified sources. Using 

EMCON procedures and implementing HERO (ship’s HERO EMCON bill) procedures 

when ships and helicopter operate together can mitigate these issues. 

 j. Ordnance. Embarking units are required to inform the ship's ordnance handlers 

and weapons officers of specific ordnance they plan to embark. Navy ammunition 

logistics code (NALC) or Department of Defense identification code (DODIC) and the 

national stock number (NSN) should be used to identify ordnance. Shipboard magazines 

are certified to store many types of ordnance; however, some ordnance may not be 

compatible with a specific magazine. Ordnance compatibility issues include: 

 (1) Weapon System Explosive Safety Review Board (WSESRB) 

approval of the ordnance and containers for shipboard employment 

 (2) WSESRB approval of the type/model/series (T/M/S) aircraft and 

installed weapons systems 

 (3) Magazine storage space to include ordnance storage compatibility 

 (4) Loading equipment 

 (5) HERO test data on ordnance designed with electrically initiated devices 

(EIDs) to determine safe shipboard radio frequency (RF) environments and/or required 

EMCON 

 k. Although the ship's magazines may be certified to hold specific ordnance in the 

joint inventory, ordnance for the ship's weapons systems may not be compatible with 

embarked unit ordnance. Ship's ordnance handlers may need to reconfigure their 

magazine loads to accommodate other Service ordnance. Compatibility information for 

particular ordnance may be found in Naval Sea System Command (NAVSEA) Ordnance 

Publication (OP) 4 Ammunition and Explosives Safety Afloat. For more details 

concerning ordnance planning, refer to paragraph 8, “Ordnance.” 

 l. Ship/Helicopter Major Equipment/Servicing Interoperability. Operations 

and maintenance planners should determine ship's service compatibility with the 

embarking helicopter's fuel, defuel, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems as well 

as any special ground support equipment (GSE) requirements. Information on the 

helicopter systems requirements, such as electrical power voltage, phase, and amperage, 

or pneumatic pressures, servicing limits, and pressure fueling/defueling systems, is 

available in the service's aircraft operating manual. Ship's service information can be 

located in the NAEC-ENG-7576, Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume. 
Planning 

 II-9 

 m. Shipboard HIFR. Closed circuit refueling (CCR) nozzles, such as the Wiggins 

and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) high capacity nozzles cannot be used to 

refuel closed circuit US Army (USA) helicopters. The 45-pounds per square inch (psi) 

output of these nozzles could damage the aircraft’s fuel systems, rupture tanks, and cause 

fuel spill/fire. If shipboard CCR operations of USA aircraft are anticipated, the aircrew 

must provide refuel personnel with a USA fuel nozzle unless already included as part of 

the deployment pack-up equipment. 

3. General Planning Considerations 

The quality of preoperational planning relates directly to the success of the overall 

JSHO. Historically, planning time has been limited by the emergent nature of 

contingency operations. Unit and staff personnel can enhance mission success by 

considering the issues discussed in the following paragraphs. 

 a. General

 (1) Considerations for Planning. Regardless of the time available for planning, 

the following areas must be considered; administration, required training and 

certification, embarkation, communications system support, intelligence operations, 

health services, ordnance, helicopter maintenance, and logistics/supply. 

 (2) Liaison Officers. Liaison officers should be exchanged between the 

embarking unit and ship as early as possible. Liaison officers should be prepared to 

discuss helicopter footprint, embarkation, C2, maintenance requirements, logistics, 

ordnance, communications system support, personnel, and habitability issues. 

 (3) Predeployment Planning. Detailed predeployment planning is one of the 

most important factors for the successful and safe conduct of JSHO and includes items 

that should be addressed prior to embarking. The timelines and checklists provided in 

this and other publications are recommendations that may be adjusted depending on the 

situation. Though it may be impossible to complete all the items listed in the various 

checklists prior to embarkation, the checklists should be used as a starting point for 

planning. Those items that cannot be completed prior will be accomplished shortly after 

embarking. 

 (a) The following essential elements of predeployment planning are 

addressed in this chapter and throughout this publication: predeployment conference, 

embarking unit predeployment checklist, embarkation conference(s), pre-embarkation 

ship visit(s), and training and qualification requirements (safety, firefighting, ordnance 

handling, ship indoctrination, maintenance, aircrew, and deck landing qualification 

(DLQ)). 

 (b) Personnel from the units involved should meet with/talk to their 

counterparts as early as possible and continue a dialog until the at-sea period is 

completed. It is essential to discuss integration issues prior to JSHO. 
Chapter II 

II-10 JP 3-04 

 b. Predeployment Conference. The naval surface community schedules a 

“presail” conference during the early stages of deployment planning involving an 

embarked unit. The predeployment conference is an essential part of the preoperational 

compatibility analysis, as it provides key personnel of the participating units with a 

formal forum to address the concept of upcoming operations at sea as well as procedural 

and safety issues. A predeployment conference should be scheduled to solidify all 

planning and coordination conducted to date, resolve outstanding issues or operational 

challenges, and confirm embarkation planning. Most integration issues are listed in the 

predeployment conference checklist. Additionally, Navy predeployment planning issues 

are discussed in: 

 (1) NAVAIR 00-80T-122, Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air-Capable 

Ships NATOPS Manual. 

 

 (2) Commander, Navy Surface Forces Instruction 3500.4/Commander, Navy 

Air Atlantic Instruction 3500.51/Commander, Marine Forces Atlantic Order 3500.2 

Readiness Milestones for Amphibious Ships and Embarked Aviation Units. 

 (3) General purpose amphibious assault ship/general purpose amphibious 

assault ship (with intended dock)/mine countermeasure support NAVAIR 00-80T-106, 

LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual. 

 c. The presail conference is a formal visit to the ship by key personnel representing 

the embarking unit’s maintenance, logistics and operations departments. The presail 

conference is necessary to discuss embarkation, maintenance, operations, C2, ordnance, 

communications system support, habitability, safety, etc. in regards to the upcoming 

deployment. Typically, when USA or US Air Force (USAF) units embark aboard ship 

the personnel of both the embarking unit and the ship have limited knowledge of each 

other’s capabilities and operational concepts. Nothing should be assumed by either party 

when planning for JSHO. It is essential, starting with the predeployment conference and 

continuing throughout the planning process, that unit and ship personnel be detailed and 

meticulous utilizing the checklists and other references listed in this publication. 

 d. Pre-embarkation Unit Visit. Prior to and/or following the predeployment 

conference, it is imperative that the embarking unit tour and become familiar with work 

spaces, living spaces, maintenance and storage areas and support equipment available. 

Quite often, additional compatibility issues will arise when the operating spaces are 

actually visited by the embarking unit. This is when the space constraints inherent with 

shipboard operations become apparent to the embarking unit. 

 e. Points of Contact. A key element to successful presail visits is developing a 

points of contact (POCs) list. Figures II-1, II-2, and II-3 show general POCs aboard 

different ship types, their functions, responsibilities, and their embarking unit 

counterparts. Embarking unit personnel and ship counterparts should meet after the 

presail conference to exchange information on requirements/capabilities and coordinate 

on-load and subsequent operations. 
Planning 

 II-11 

PLANNING POINTS OF CONTACT

ON AIRCRAFT CARRIERS

NAVY RESPONSIBILITY ARMY/AIR FORCE 

COUNTERPART

NOTE 1: When the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) is embarked the Air Wing Commander (CAG) may be 

designated to coordinate embarkation efforts for both Navy squadrons and Embarking Army and Air 

Force units. The point of contact will be the CAG Embark officer. When Carrier Air Wing is not 

embarked, the Air Boss or the Ship's 1st LT may be tasked with coordination. Either way the 

embarking unit(s) will need to coordinate closely with both.

Commanding Officer 

(CO)

Executive Officer (XO)

Strike Operations 

Officer (STRIKEOPS)

Air Officer (AIR BOSS)

Responsible for Mission Execution/ 

Accomplishment and Safe Rotocraft Operations

Responsible to CO form Mission Execution and 

Coordination Between Shipboard Departments. 

Oversees Administration and Embarkation Details

Schedules Mission and Training Evolutions; Flight 

Planning and Scheduling

Aircraft movement to Accommodate Maintenance, 

Ordnance Upload, and Prelaunch Positioning on 

the Flight Deck

Flight Deck and Flight Operations

CO

S-1/G-1/A-1, XO

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-3/G-3/A-3

Aviation Maintenance 

Officer

Aviation Maintenance 

Officer

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-2/G-2/A-2

Aviation Maintenance 

Officer

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-6

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-4/G-4/A-4

Aircraft Movement to Accommodate Maintenance 

on the Hangar Deck

Hotel Services, Parts/Material Replenishment

Controls Ordnance On/Off Load, Buildup, 

Strikedown, Issue, and Accounting

Communications Capabilities and Requirements, 

and Coordination

Electronic Missions, Detection and CounterDetection

Depot Level Maintenance Assistance for Engine, 

Hydraulic, and Electronic Component Repairs

Responsible for Main Propulsion (except on a 

CVN), Electrical Power, Fuel, Water Production, 

and Maintenance of Fire Fighting Systems

Coordinates Intelligence Resources, Requirements, 

Briefings, Debriefings; Conducts Mission Briefs 

and Mission Debriefs

Loading and Unloading Cargo

Flight Deck Control

Hangar Deck Control

Supply Officer 

(SUPPO)

Weapons Officer 

(WEPS)

Communications 

Officer (COMMO)

Electronic Warfare 

Officer (EWO)

Aircraft Maintenance 

(AIMD)

Chief Engineer 

(CHENG)

Combat Information 

Center Officer (CICO)

First Lieutentant 

(1st LT)

Figure II-1. Planning Points of Contact on Aircraft Carriers 
Chapter II 

II-12 JP 3-04 

PLANNING POINTS OF CONTACT ON 

AMPHIBIOUS AVIATION SHIPS

NAVY RESPONSIBILITY ARMY/AIR FORCE 

COUNTERPART

Weapons Officer 

(WEPS)

Communications 

Officer (COMMO)

Electronic Warfare 

Officer (EWO)

Chief Engineer 

(CHENG)

Combat Information 

Center Officer (CICO)

Controls Ordnance On/Off Load, Buildup, 

Strikedown, Issue, and Accounting

Communications Capabilities and Requirements, 

and Coordination

Electronic Missions, Detection and CounterDetection

Coordinates Intelligence Resources, Requirements, 

Briefings, Debriefings; Conducts Mission Briefs 

and Mission Debriefs

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-2/G-2/A-2

S-6

S-3/G-3/A-3

CO

S-1/G-1/A-1, XO

Unit Embark Officer

Aviation Maintenance 

Officer

Aviation Maintenance 

Officer

Aviation Maintenance 

Officer

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-3/G-3/A-3

Commanding Officer 

(CO)

Combat Cargo Officer 

(CCO)

Aircraft Maintenance 

(AIMD)

Hangar Deck Control

Flight Deck Control

Supply Officer 

(SUPPO)

First Lieutentant 

(1st LT)

Air Officer (AIR BOSS)

Operations Officer 

(OPS)

Responsible for Mission Execution/ 

Accomplishment and Safe Rotocraft Operations

Embark Coordination

Depot Level Maintenance Assistance for Engine, 

Hydraulic, and Electronic Component Repairs

Aircraft Movement to Accommodate Maintenance 

on the Hangar Deck

Aircraft movement to Accommodate Maintenance, 

Ordnance Upload, and Prelaunch Positioning on 

the Flight Deck

Hotel Services, Parts/Material Replenishment

Flight Deck and Flight Operations

Schedules Missions and Training Evolutions. 

Flight Planning and Scheduling.

Executive Officer (XO) Responsible to CO form Mission Execution and 

Coordination Between Shipboard Departments. 

Oversees Administration and Embarkation Details

Loading and Unloading Cargo

Responsible for Main Propulsion, Electrical Power, 

Fuel, Water Production, and Maintenance of Fire 

Fighting Systems

Figure II-2. Planning Points of Contact on Amphibious Aviation Ships 
Planning 

 II-13 

PLANNING POINTS OF CONTACT ON

AIR-CAPABLE SHIPS

NAVY ARMY/AIR FORCE 

COUNTERPART

CO

S-1/G-1/A-1, XO

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-2/G-2/A-2

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-6

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-4/G-4/A-4

S-3/G-3/A-3

S-3/G-3/A-3

RESPONSIBILITY

Responsible for Mission Execution/ 

Accomplishment and Safe Rotocraft Operations

Hotel Services, Parts/Material Replenishment

Controls Ordnance On/Off Load, Buildup, 

Strikedown, Issue, and Accounting

Communications Capabilities and Requirements, 

and Coordination

Electronic Missions, Detection and CounterDetection

Coordinates Intelligence Resources, Requirements, 

Briefings, Debriefings; Conducts Mission Briefs 

and Mission Debriefs

Coordinates Flight Deck and Flight Operations

Schedules Missions and Training Evolutions. 

Flight Planning and Scheduling.

Commanding Officer 

(CO)

Supply Officer 

(SUPPO)

Weapons Officer 

(WEPS)

Communications 

Officer (COMMO)

Electronic Warfare 

Officer (EWO)

Chief Engineer 

(CHENG)

Combat Information 

Center Officer (CICO)

First Lieutentant 

(1st LT)

Helicopter Control 

Officer (HCO)

Operations Officer 

(OPS)

Executive Officer (XO) Responsible to CO form Mission Execution and 

Coordination Between Shipboard Departments. 

Oversees Administration and Embarkation Details

Responsible for the Maintenance of the Flight 

Deck and Training of Flight Deck Personnel

Responsible for Main Propulsion, Electrical Power, 

Fuel, Water Production, and Maintenance of Fire 

Fighting Systems

Figure II-3. Planning Points of Contact on Air-Capable Ships 

 f. Mission Integration. The degree to which the operations of the embarked unit 

are merged or deconflicted from those of the ship is dependent on several factors listed 

below. 

 (1) The unit with the priority mission will determine mission requirements; 

therefore, mission priorities may shift among several units as phases of an operation 

develop or are completed. The most likely mission integration scenarios occur in support 

of contingency operations. Probable scenarios include: 

 (a) Helicopter units fly out to the ship. The ship sails to the mission area 

where the unit executes the mission and returns to the ship. The ship sails to the fly-off 

point and the units fly off to return to base. 
Chapter II 

II-14 JP 3-04 

 (b) The ship provides a safe haven for helicopter units based and operating 

ashore. 

 (c) The helicopter units fly out to the ship after support personnel and 

troops embark in port. The ship provides transportation to the operational area and 

launches waves for an operation, then transports the helicopter and aircrew personnel 

back to home base. 

 (2) When planning a long term embarkation, the joint planner must then 

determine if organic ship aircraft will also be embarked. If no organic aircraft are 

embarked, then mission integration issues should be minimal. 

 (3) With organic air assets embarked, operational scenarios for different 

helicopter force compositions can be compared for fully integrated, semi-integrated, or 

coordinated flight operations. Flight operations are considered fully integrated when 

non-naval helicopter launches and recoveries are accomplished during regular cyclic 

fixed wing flight operations for aircraft carriers, or during regular flight operations for 

other class ships. Semi-integrated operations describe conditions where naval aircraft 

and helicopters operate in sequential periods. Coordinated flight operations refer to the 

case where helicopter operations take place in a single period outside scheduled naval 

flight operations for the CVW, ACE or ACS. 

 (a) Fully Integrated Flight Operations. These operations are the most 

difficult to coordinate, conduct and sustain but can provide the best opportunities for 

mission integration and allow helicopters to take advantage of carrier strike group directsupport capabilities. Fully integrated flight operations from ESG ships can take 

advantage of integral ESG/ACE capabilities. Fully integrated flight operations have few 

advantages for cruiser-destroyer class ships because of the limited deck and hangar space. 

 1. Aircraft Carrier Operations. Fully integrated flight operations 

aboard aircraft carriers are difficult under optimal conditions and become more so under 

adverse conditions. If fully integrated flight operations are contemplated, then a 

reduction in air wing composition must also be considered. 

 2. Amphibious Aviation Assault Ship. Integrating helicopter units 

into the ESG mission may be achieved in several ways. Depending on the unit size and 

composition, it may be possible for the embarked unit to operate from the smaller decks 

in the ESG. If unit size or composition makes this difficult, some helicopter assets may 

be detached to other ships in the ESG to make room aboard the AAAS. 

 3. ACS Operations. ACSs typically carry a detachment of one or two 

organic helicopters. Not all of these ships provide hangar facilities or mechanical 

handling equipment. Helicopters have operated safely and successfully from ACSs, but 

at some cost to traditional maritime missions. Embarkation of helicopters for short 

periods may require a ship’s organic helicopters to temporarily operate from other 

locations, potentially impacting that ship’s mission. If integrated fueling/arming 
Planning 

 II-15 

operations can be accomplished while organic assets are airborne or hangared, the 

mission impact can be minimized. 

 (b) Semi-Integrated Flight Operations. Inserting a flight period (cycle) 

dedicated to helicopter operations between scheduled naval flight operation periods 

(cycles) combines some of the advantages of coordinated operations while removing 

some of the operational difficulty and risk of fully integrated flight operations. 

 (c) Coordinated Flight Operations. Although easier to schedule and 

coordinate, coordinated (nonsimultaneous) fixed and rotary wing operations have certain 

disadvantages. Non-naval flight operations take place during what would normally be 

nonflying hours. This can overwork the ship’s air department personnel, significantly 

impact aircraft respotting, and hinder flight deck maintenance for the next day’s 

operations. 

 g. Ordnance Planning. Detailed presail/pre-embarkation planning for ordnance is 

even more important in the joint environment when individual service 

processes/procedures may differ. If all or a portion of the ship’s mission/cargo 

ammunition must be offloaded to accommodate required helicopter/infantry ammunition, 

significant advanced planning will be required. Ordnance planning for JSHO involves 

significant, in depth research on the type of ordnance to be embarked aboard ship, 

including: assuring WSESRB/Navy Ordnance Safety and Security Activity (NOSSA) 

approval of the ordnance identified for shipboard loadout and employment. WSESRB 

approved ordnance containers for shipboard operations, and the test data for ordnance 

designed with EIDs to determine shipboard HERO susceptibility. 

 (1) Non-Navy ordnance aboard ships is one of the most critical issues facing 

JSHO and must be addressed and solved early by joint planners. Direct liaison between 

the joint planner, embarking unit ordnance officer and the ship’s Weapons Department 

will identify and/or solve many of these compatibility, procedures, and training issues. 

Initial planning for the on-load of non-Navy ordnance aboard a ship may require close 

coordination with the NOSSA located in Indian Head, Maryland 

(http://www.nossa.navsea.navy.mil). The website provides information on ordnance 

physical security, insensitive munitions, and ordnance safety aboard Navy ships. NOSSA 

will be the POC for joint ordnance compatibility waivers. This ordnance information will 

assist the embarking unit when preparing for shipboard helicopter operations involving 

non-Navy ordnance. NAVSEA OP 4, Ammunition and Explosives Safety Afloat, is a 

comprehensive Navy directive delineating ordnance handling and storage procedures 

aboard Navy ships (http://navsea.navy.mil). Infantry ordnance is not common to most 

ship’s magazines. Planners should research all available data thoroughly before the 

presail conference. 

 (2) If the assigned ship and embarked helicopter detachment are not deployed, a 

pre-embarkation ordnance planning conference shall be scheduled by geographic 

combatant commander, preferably at least six months prior to the planned sail date, with 

all participating, to identify the support required and the timelines/responsibilities to put 
Chapter II 

II-16 JP 3-04 

that support in place. The T/M/S of aircraft, including the installed aircraft weapons 

control systems and the ordnance weapon systems planned for shipboard employment 

require Commanding Officer (CO) NOSSA approval is required prior to 

ammunition/explosives (A/E) on-load. Required ordnance data is identified below. This 

data is also required for HERO EMCON considerations. NOSSA approved USA 

ordnance is identified in NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010, Transportation and Storage 

Data for Ammunition, Explosives, and Related Hazardous Materials where required 

packaging and explosive stowage data are included for each ordnance by NSN. Requests 

for A/E that are not included in NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010 shall be referred by the 

ship to the type commander (TYCOM)/NOSSA for resolution. Deviation from the 

explosive safety standards set forth in NAVSEA OP 4 requires a waiver to be submitted 

by the host ship with supporting rationale from geographic combatant commander. 

 (3) Defense Message Handling System (DMHS). The ordnance on-load 

requires extensive preplanning and coordination by ship’s force. Chief of Naval 

Operations (CNO) approved waivers may be required for pier-side loading, depending on 

the area and location. To ensure the on-load is conducted smoothly and efficiently, it is 

imperative that the ordnance depot or ammunition stock point keep the ship and the 

helicopter detachment constantly up to date on the types and quantities of ordnance to be 

loaded/employed via DMHS in the following format: 

 (a) NALC or DODIC 

 (b) NSN. An NSN will be used for locating detailed information on each 

item 

 (c) Quantity. Total quantity of each NALC/DODIC 

 (d) Lot Number. The ammunition lot number (ALN) or serial number 

(SN) when available. Refer to Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Publication 

(P)-724, Conventional Ordnance Stockpile Management/P-801, Notice of Ammunition 

Reclassification (NAR) Manual and P-802, Navy Ammunition Logistics Codes for details 

on mandatory identification and control requirements. 

 (e) Hazard Classification. Used to determine the stowage 

compatibility/segregation for A/E. Verification through NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010 

is mandatory. 

 (f) Container Identification and Dimensions. If at all possible, information 

on the dimensions of the A/E containers separately and as palletized unit loads should be 

provided to ensure adequate stowage space is available aboard the ship. Verification 

through NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010 is mandatory. 

 (g) Number of Palletized Lifts. Required for pierside crane services and for 

onload evolution timing. 
Planning 

 II-17 

 (h) Applicable Notice of Ammunition Reclassification (NAR). All US 

Navy ammunition and most USA A/E are catalogued in the Ordnance Information 

System. When an item of A/E by ALN or SN requires a change in the material condition 

code of a DODIC/NALC lot or SN, a NAR is promulgated by Naval Operational 

Logistics Support Center (NOLSC) per NAVSUP P-801. A similar control system is in 

place for USA A/E. To ensure that ship’s supporting special operations force (SOF) units 

are continually aware of any change in the material condition of embarked SOF A/E, 

NOLSC includes USA ammunition reclassification in Navy NARs. Cog symbol 6Z is 

used to differentiate USA and US Navy (USN) A/E in the NAR. To ensure there is no 

oversight or omission in the USN NAR, the appropriate geographic combatant 

commander (CCDR) shall ensure the supporting Army ammunition supply point (ASP) is 

provided the DMHS plain language address directory (PLAD) of the host ship. The ASP 

shall provide the host ship with all related USA A/E material condition reclassification 

action on a continuing basis until the SOF and USA A/E is completely expended or 

offloaded. This requirement shall be considered a major explosives safety concern by the 

SOF and the host ship. 

 (i) Small Arms Weapons. A list of all small arms weapons, by type and 

quantity, being deployed aboard the ship is required to ensure secure stowage 

requirements are available. 

 

 h. Administration

 (1) The XO is responsible for all administrative matters aboard ship. The XO 

coordinates the ship's staff and ensures the ship functions as a team. The XO holds daily 

department head meetings, normally in the evening, to discuss the next day's schedule. A 

senior officer from the embarked unit should attend these department head meetings to 

coordinate the ship's schedule with his unit's operations, training, and other needs. 

 (2) The ship's administrative department handles routine administrative issues 

supporting Navy personnel. The embarking unit's administrative officer should contact 

the ship's administrative officer to discuss support issues including mail, disbursing 

(check cashing, pay), and administrative needs such as copy machine access and 

safekeeping of personnel records. Regulations provide the ship's CO authority to hold 

Article 15 proceedings over all personnel on board their ship regardless of service branch. 

The ship's CO may defer this authority to the senior officer of the embarking unit. 

Potential good order and discipline procedures should be discussed prior to embarkation. 

 i. C2 Planning

 (1) Available space, types, and availability of equipment aboard the ship 

govern C2 planning considerations. Space constraints may require the embarked 

unit/units to be divided and placed on more than one ship further exacerbating the 

challenges. Command and staff action and control of non-naval embarked units may 

require modifications to unit SOPs (both ship and embarked unit). Basic 

communications, detailed planning, rehearsals, and mission execution are all more 
Chapter II 

II-18 JP 3-04 

difficult in the shipboard environment, whether forces are located on one ship or on 

several ships. 

 (2) Ships are designed and built to perform a specific set of missions. 

Accordingly, under most circumstances, a ship’s CO will be required to fulfill the 

assigned missions in addition to providing support to an assigned embarked unit. Most 

ships are not designed to facilitate the normal operations and mission accomplishment of 

embarked units, especially in terms of communications systems and intelligence support. 

It is critical that leaders fully understand the capabilities, limitations, and needs of all 

forces (ships and embarked units) and develop a plan that will satisfy overall mission 

accomplishment. The following are planning considerations: 

 (a) Establish chain of command/clear lines of authority for all 

organizations onboard each ship 

 (b) Each ship’s CO designates a senior officer for oversight of embarked 

units 

 (c) Determine who is responsible for specific functions/coordination 

 (d) Determine working space and communications requirements for 

embarked units 

 (e) Determine areas where it is advantageous for ship’s company and 

embarked units to work collectively 

 (f) Establish air control tower manning requirements – primary flight 

control (PRIFLY)/helicopter control officer (HCO) 

 (g) Establish intelligence center manning requirements 

 (h) Establish communications center manning requirements 

 (i) Operations centers – Establish strike operations/combat information 

center/HDC manning requirements 

 (j) Determine on-load and/or off-load locations for ordnance 

 (k) Determine EMCON procedures 

 (l) Determine required/available/assigned frequencies 

 (m) Determine communications systems material security requirements 

 (n) Determine potential RF interference 
Planning 

 II-19 

 (o) Determine embarked unit’s communications requirements and 

employment procedures 

 (p) Determine EMV to aircraft 

 (q) Establish procedures for HERO 

 j. Operations. The operations section supports mission planning which is 

conducted backwards from the time on target at the objective. It should include the 

following considerations at a minimum: 

 (1) C2 

 (2) Control measures 

 (3) Controlling agencies 

 (4) Number of helicopters per wave/serial 

 (5) Number of waves/serial 

 (6) Time sequence (briefs, preflights, spotting, take-off, rendezvous, enroute, etc.) 

 (7) Helicopter spotting for launch 

 (8) Unit training 

 (9) Daily scheduling 

 (10) Ship’s POD 

 (11) Air tasking order or air plan/load plan 

 (12) En route planning (ship to the objective) 

 (13) Debarkation planning (moving helicopter, troops, and equipment ashore) to 

support the mission. Coordination should be conducted if sling-load operations are 

envisioned. 

 k. Medical. Medical health services vary widely depending on the class of the 

ship. Single-spot ACSs may only have an independent duty corpsman and no dental 

services, while multi-spot ACSs may have a physician and/or a dentist assigned. AAASs 

and aircraft carriers usually have forward resuscitative care capability. Embarked unit 

planning should address medical and dental personnel to augment the ship's medical 

teams. 
Chapter II 

II-20 JP 3-04 

 l. Logistics/Supply 

 (1) Navy ships do not normally stock other Service-unique items in their supply 

inventory. In addition to the standard aircraft maintenance packup kits containing small 

parts, tools, and consumables, a helicopter maintenance unit assigned shipboard missions 

should pre-stage essential parts, like rotor blades and engines, aboard ship prior to 

deployment. Ship's supply officers (SUPPOs) should inquire of the embarking unit 

which items they may need, and make arrangements to establish a logistics line to obtain 

those items. Embarking units should contact the ship and discuss unique requirements 

with the SUPPO early in the planning cycle. 

 (2) The Navy supply system generally operates in several stages. Ships are 

supported via airheads and beach detachments. The airhead is a central location for all 

parts going to a particular ship. Expediters at the airhead forward supplies to an 

appropriate beach detachment located within flying range of the ship. The beach 

detachment collects the supplies and loads them aboard aircraft flying to the ships. 

Helicopter units that are embarked aboard ship for an extended period should tie into the 

Navy supply pipeline to get replacement parts and supplies from their parent 

organizations. Embarked units should coordinate with the ship's SUPPO to have a liaison 

at each of the logistics stops in the ship's supply train. 

For specific guidance concerning logistic support, refer to Chapter IV, “Sustainment.”

 m. Vertical Takeoff and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (VTOL-UAV). In 

conducting VTOL-UAV operations, deconfliction with manned aircraft becomes the 

greatest issue to resolve. The VTOL-UAV will be required to operate under positive 

control and comply with published approach or departure procedures. 

4. Predeployment Training and Certification 

 a. General Training Requirements. The training requirements in this chapter 

will be met except for immediate operational requirements where the success of the 

mission would be clearly jeopardized by delaying operations until required training can 

be obtained. These requirements include qualification training as well as unit 

certification that fall into two general categories: 

 (1) Pre-Embarkation Training 

 (a) Shipboard and aircraft firefighting training 

 (b) Aviation ordnance training and follow-on qualifications/certifications 

 (c) Aircrew qualification and currency 

 (2) Embarkation Training. This training is conducted by the ship’s company 

indoctrination organization. It should include the following: shipboard electrical safety; 

storage, handling, and disposal of hazardous or flammable material; hearing 
Planning 

 II-21 

conservation; emergency escape breathing device and oxygen breathing apparatus; 

HERO and EMCON plans; material conditions of readiness; basic damage control 

organization and embarked aviation detachment responsibilities; abandon ship bill/liferaft 

stations; emergency egress blindfold drill (berthing compartment and workspace); ship’s 

battle bill and man overboard bill; and GQ (with and without flight quarters). 

 c. Detachment Ground Personnel Training. Maintenance personnel and aircrew 

assigned to helicopter detachments that maintain a capability to operate from ships will 

receive joint helicopter operations orientation training in order to ensure their safety and 

effectiveness at sea. These requirements apply to embarked operations and are not 

intended to restrict personnel whose exposure to the shipboard environment is limited to 

DLQ training periods. 

 d. Aircrew Training, Qualification, and Currency Requirements. Pilots obtain 

initial, recurrent, and requalification training for type aircraft in accordance with (IAW) 

parent Service directives as appropriate. The DLQ identified in Figure II-4 are derived 

directly from the January 2002, Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Army/Air Force 

Deck Landing Qualification between the Department of the Navy and the Departments of 

the Army and the Air Force. 

 e. Certification. Before embarkation, helicopter detachments will be certified for 

shipboard operations by their unit commander or other authority. This certification will 

ensure that training requirements set forth in this publication have been met and that the 

detachment has met parent-Service training requirements for the intended mission. Any 

specific training shortfalls or additional training intended after embarkation should be 

briefed during the presail conference when applicable and appropriate. Certification is 

not required for all training operations that do not require embarkation (e.g., DLQ). In 

addition, all personnel assigned duties involving the handling of A/E shall be qualified 

and certified for the task IAW the Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 

8023.24 and NAVSEA OP 4. This will be accomplished by the unit commander 

providing the ship with documentation that aviation ordnance device- handling personnel 

have been thoroughly trained, qualified, and certified on the safe and efficient handling of 

aviation ordnance. 

 f. Helicopter Specifications. Prior to operations, and when requested, the 

detachment OIC will make available diagrams of embarked aircraft to the HCO or air 

officer (air boss) and crash and salvage parties prior to operations. 

 g. Requirements for aviation detachment personnel assigned to flight deck duties: 

 (1) Aviators should be current and qualified to fly before participation in 

shipboard operations. 

 (2) Shipboard firefighting indoctrination training is required for flight deck 

personnel. 
Chapter II 

II-22 JP 3-04 

US ARMY/US AIR FORCE DECK LANDING 

REQUIREMENTS FOR ONE-SPOT SHIPS AND 

MULTI-SPOT SHIPS

REQUIREMENTS Day (D) Night Unaided 

(N)

Night Aided 

(NVD)

Initial

Qualification

Currency

Simulator 

DLQ 

Currency 

(Note 4)

Instructor

Prerequisite

DLQ's

Instructor

Simulator 

DLQ's

Prerequisite

Period

DLQ Academics

Night DLQ 

Prerequisite

FDLP's Within 

14 

Days DLQ's

Period

DLQ Current IP or

USN/USMC HAC

Qualified in the 

Aircraft, DLQ 

Academics

5 DLQ's (D/N/NVD) 

within: 6 Months 

(1SS), 1 Year (MSS)

DLQ Current IP/Sim 

IP or USN/USMC 

HAC

5 DLQ's (D/N/NVD)

Day DLQ Current

(1SS) 6 months from simulator flight, not to exceed 1 year from 

last 1SS landing. (MSS) 1 year from simulator flight, not to eceed 

2 years from last MSS landing.

Required for all initial DLQ training, or if currency has elapsed for 

both One and Multi-Spot Ships.

N/A

5 FDLP's in Aircraft 

or Qualified Simulator

5

6 Months (1SS), 1 Year (MSS)

N DLQ Current IP or 

USN/USMC HAC

Day DLQ Current, 2 

Ship or Simulator 

DLQ's (D/N/NVD) 

within 7 Days

5 N DLQ's (D/N/NVD) 

within: 6 Months 

(1SS), 1 Year (MSS)

N DLQ Current 

IP/Sim IP or 

USN/USMC HAC

5 N DLQ's

Night DLQ Current

2 Ship or Simulator 

DLQ's (D/N/NVD) 

within 7 Days

5 Night Unaided 

FDLP's in Aircraft or 

Qualified Simulator

5

NVD DLQ Current IP 

or USN/USMC HAC

Day DLQ Current, 2 

Ship or Simulator 

DLQ's (D/N/NVD) 

within 14 Days

5 NVD DLQ's within: 

6 Months (1SS), 1 

Year (MSS)

NVD DLQ Current 

IP/Sim IP or 

USN/USMC HAC

5 NVD DLQ's

NVD DLQ Current

2 Ship or Simulator 

DLQ's (D/N/NVD) 

within 14 Days or 2 

Ship or Simulator 

NVD DLQ's within 45 

Days

5 NVD FDLP's in 

Aircraft or Qualified 

Simulator

5

LEGEND

DLQ Deck Landing Qualification

HAC Helicopter Aircraft Commander

MSS Multi-Spot Ship

USMC US Marines Corps

FDLP Flight Deck Landing Practice

IP Instructor Pilot

NVD Night Vision Device

USN US Navy

Figure II-4. US Army/US Air Force Deck Landing Requirements for 

One-Spot Ships & Multi-Spot Ships 

5. Embarkation Planning 

 a. General. Embarkation planning involves reverse planning from the objective, 

to the landing zone, to the ship, and to the port of embarkation (POE) such that the 
Planning 

 II-23 

equipment that will be needed first is the last equipment loaded onboard ship. Successful 

embarkation plan development requires early coordination between the embarking unit 

and the ship’s crew. Both should work concurrently on developing embarkation 

milestones, scheduling an embarkation conference, staffing advance parties (to include 

ship guides), assigning embarkation coordinators, and developing a load plan. Most of 

the issues concerning embarkation should be discussed during the embarkation 

conference and presail conference. See Appendix C, “Predeployment Planning 

Checklists.” 

 b. Embarkation Procedures/Coordination. The embarkation process will be 

enhanced by assigning single points of contact for both the ship and the embarking unit. 

It is imperative that the unit and ship embarkation coordinators work together to develop 

embarkation milestones. Once the milestones are published, changes must be coordinated 

through both the unit and the ship. 

 (1) Planning unit embarkation for a large force is a reverse planning process; 

from the objective, to the landing zone, to the ship, and to the POE such that the 

equipment that will be needed first is the last equipment loaded onboard ship. 

Embarkation planning issues to be discussed include: 

 (a) Embarkation team organization for each Service unit 

 (b) Personnel requirements 

 (c) Communications (means of communication during the evolution and 

identification of those personnel who should be communicating) 

 (d) Materials handling equipment (MHE) readiness, availability, and 

current locations 

 (e) Safety 

 (f) Cargo handling systems 

 (g) Securing of cargo and vehicles 

 (h) Traffic routes for cargo and personnel moving on and off the ship 

 (i) On-load and/or off-load points 

 (j) Types and amounts of cargo, ordnance, and vehicles 

 (k) Operational checks of MHE prior to on-load and off-load 

 (l) Coordinating communications security storage requirements and 

agreements 
Chapter II 

II-24 JP 3-04 

 (2) Successful embarkation plan development requires early coordination 

between the embarking unit and the ship’s crew. Both should work together to develop 

embarkation milestones, scheduling an embarkation conference, staffing advance parties 

(to include ship guides), assigning embarkation coordinators, and developing a load plan. 

 c. The Navy/Marine Corps follow embarkation guidelines outlined in Marine 

Corps Reference Publication (MCRP) 4-11.3G, Unit Embarkation Handbook. General 

guidelines for embarkation can be found in OPNAVINST 5720.2, Embarkation of US 

Naval Ships. 

 d. Naval personnel load cargo based on cube and weight. Any cargo that is not 

hand carried must be palletized and banded or loaded in standard International 

Organization for Standardization (ISO) configured equipment and containers (military 

van, container express, quadruple container, six-compartment container). When 

palletizing cargo, embarking units should plan on using one of the more commonly used 

sizes in North America (48”x 48,” 48”x 40” or 42”x42”). 463L pallets cannot be used 

unless arrangements can be made to provide Army low-profile forklifts on CVN, CV, or 

AAAS ships (Navy forklifts cannot handle 463L pallets). Failure to follow these simple 

palletizing requirements can delay embarkation and place both the ship and unit at risk. 

It is important to let the load officer know the volume and weight of crates and equipment 

containers so they can arrange the appropriate storage space on ship. In addition they 

will need to know which items are necessary for ready access and which will be 

infrequent access/use items. A critical part of embarkation planning is the embarkation 

conference. This conference should be scheduled six months or more in advance or as 

early as possible in the planning process and shall address: 

 (1) Ordnance embarkation and ammunition reporting requirements 

 (2) Load plan preparation and submission requirements 

 (3) ISO container loading policy, constraints, and criteria 

 (4) Naval support element lift footprint and assignment to ships 

 (5) POE inspection requirements 

 (6) Motor gasoline storage capacities, retrograde capabilities, and safety 

considerations 

 (7) Aviation ground support equipment embarkation requirements 

 (8) Embarking unit accommodations, inspection timeline, reporting 

requirements, and methodology 

 (9) US Customs and Department of Agriculture requirements 
Planning 

 II-25 

 (10) Embarkation schedule of events development, submission, and 

modifications 

 (11) In-port loading of embarking unit personnel, supplies, and equipment 

 (12) Compilation and distribution of command POC 

 (13) Munitions cross-decking and retrograde policy development 

 (14) Hazardous materials (HAZMAT) (lithium batteries, sulfuric acid, calcium 

hypochlorite, etc.) 

 e. Administrative/Training Coordination. Shipboard operations are a complex 

orchestration of activities. Ship activities are planned during the ship’s “8 o’clock

reports” and planning board for training (PB4T). The embarked unit should send a 

representative to each of these meetings. “8 o’clock reports” generally occur before 2000 

hours. “8 o’clock reports” are scheduled and conducted by the ship’s XO to collect status 

reports from the ship’s department heads and coordinate and disseminate the next day’s 

schedule. 

 f. Future events are discussed and scheduled during the PB4T. This is the forum 

where the embarked unit will address unit-training requirements and coordinate and 

schedule these requirements with the various ships' departments whose services or spaces 

may be needed. 

 g. Habitability Coordination. Habitability issues should be coordinated with the 

designated ship’s representative. Among the issues to coordinate are cleaning and 

preservation of embarked unit spaces and billeting and messing of embarked personnel. 

 h. Embarked Unit Ship Support Requirements

 (1) Information for Embarked Units. Navy ships employ the team concept 

underway. Everyone aboard ship contributes to the success of the ship’s mission and 

participates in policing the ship’s common use areas. This generally involves temporary 

assignment of embarked personnel to the ship’s supply department to augment ship’s 

company personnel providing necessary services like laundry, food preparation, and 

cleaning details. Embarking units must include this requirement in their overall plan by 

identifying personnel for these details (possibly from their support units). 

 (2) Information for Ship’s Personnel. Embarking units are generally manned 

only for flying assigned missions. They are not manned to accommodate requests to 

augment ship’s company in mess duties or working parties. In practice they are 

supported by other organizations that are specialized for specific support roles: field 

kitchen, quartermaster, security police, and maintenance units. Addressing augmentation 

requirements during presail conferences will allow the embarking unit to plan/arrange for 

personnel augmentation accommodation. 
Chapter II 

II-26 JP 3-04 

 i. Safety. Embarking units will find the shipboard environment is like an 

industrial area. Ships are a collection of electrical, electronic, and mechanical equipment. 

HAZMAT storage/issue spaces are found in various locations dependent on ship class or 

type. Temporary HAZMAT storage lockers are located throughout the ship in spaces 

requiring frequent access to HAZMAT in performing daily routine tasks. Awareness of 

ship hazards and their locations is the first step toward safety aboard ship. Much of this 

information will be presented during shipboard indoctrination conducted by the ship’s 

safety department after unit embarkation. 

 j. General On-Load. There are several avenues for on-load of personnel and 

equipment. For small units, embarking for short duration, flying everything aboard may 

be the preferred method. For larger units or for longer durations, a combination of pier 

side loading and fly-on may be the optimal method. Embarking units should have an 

advance party embark 48-96 hours prior to loading. This provides sufficient time to 

become familiar with the ship and establish coordination before cargo, vehicles, and 

personnel arrive. The advance party should be composed of personnel to coordinate all 

general on-load preparation. 

k. Ordnance On-Load. Ordnance can be loaded pier-side or flown aboard the 

ship while underway as cargo. Underway replenishment (connected/vertical) is 

prohibited for non-Navy packaged munitions due to safety considerations. After the 

supporting ordnance is identified per NAVSEA OP 4, Ammunition and Explosives Safety 

Afloat, and the operational commander identified, an on-load target date to both the 

Service depot/ASP and the ship’s weapons officer, the ship can arrange for on-load 

through the applicable TYCOM. Similar arrangements will be made for the ordnance 

offload following completion of the operational tasking. Full justification for any related 

waivers that must be submitted by the host ship will be provided by the embarking unit 

commander. 

 l. Helicopter On-Load/Fly-On. Coordination of fly-on from a shore site to a ship 

at sea will depend on distance between the ship and shore, available navigation aids, and 

communications between shore air traffic control (ATC) and the ship's controllers. 

Several items should be coordinated and agreed upon before flying out to the ship (e.g., 

arrival sequence, ship’s position, navigational aids (NAVAIDS). Preferably, these items 

will be addressed and resolved not later than the presail conference. 

6. Debarkation Planning 

This section will cover some of the debarkation considerations. It is not an all 

encompassing source document. This data forms the baseline from which ship and 

embarked unit personnel can begin to develop a debarkation plan. There are two 

debarkation processes to discuss. Mission debarkation is leaving the ship to conduct the 

mission (return to the ship is anticipated and expected) and is focused on operational 

concerns and support requirements. Post-mission debarkation is leaving the ship (return 

not anticipated). Post-mission debarkation is a mirror image of the embarkation process. 

Coordination for debarkation should begin well before the anticipated debarkation date. 
Planning 

 II-27 

Discuss timelines and support requirements both on the ship and on shore. All areas 

covered in the embarkation conference should be addressed in debarkation planning.

 a. Mission Debarkation Procedures and Coordination. Mission debarkation 

involves much of the ship and the embarked unit. Debarkation will proceed more 

smoothly with planning and close coordination among embarked units and the ship. 

Essential elements of mission debarkation are: milestones; load planning; shipboard 

coordination; staging, etc. 

 b. Post-Mission Debarkation Procedures and Coordination. Like embarkation, 

assigning single points of contact for both the ship and debarking unit will enhance the 

debarkation process. As soon as the anticipated debarkation date is estimated, 

debarkation coordinators should begin debarkation planning. The unit and ship 

debarkation coordinators should work together to develop debarkation milestones to 

provide a baseline for the debarkation evolution. The debarking unit and the ship should 

make every attempt to adhere to the published milestones. Once the milestones are 

published, changes must be coordinated through both the unit and the ship. Planning 

issues to consider include: timeline; support requirements (shore, ship); ordnance and 

HAZMAT offload; etc. Off-load will be most efficient if those responsible for moving 

the material off the ship are thoroughly familiar with the off-load plan. Prior to arriving 

pierside the off-load coordinators should conduct a briefing for all involved personnel to 

cover the plan in detail. 

 c. Helicopter Off-load/Fly-off. Embarked helicopter may fly off the ship as it 

approaches port or in some cases may fly off the ship once it is pier side. When 

arranging to fly-off, helicopter units should ensure coordination among ATC (both ship 

and shore), the ship’s operations and air departments, and unit shore personnel. Issues to 

consider prior to fly-off include: departure sequence, ship’s position, NAVAIDS, etc. 

7. Safety 

 a. Responsibility for Safety. The CO of the ship has supervisory responsibility 

for the safety of embarked helicopters at all times. The helicopter unit CO or detachment 

OIC and the individual aircraft pilots are directly responsible for the safety of assigned 

aircraft and personnel. In questionable circumstances, the embarked unit CO or 

detachment OIC will make the final determination concerning flight safety of aircraft, 

crew, and passengers. 

 b. Risk Management. Many embarking units are unfamiliar with the complexities 

and many hazards of the shipboard environment. Parent commands should provide 

embarking units with appropriate water survival aviation life support equipment and train 

them on the proper care and use during normal unit train-up. Awareness of ship hazards 

and their locations is the first step toward safety aboard ship. Much of this information 

will be presented during shipboard indoctrination conducted by the ship’s safety 

department after unit embarkation. Items to discuss include: 
Chapter II 

II-28 JP 3-04 

 (1) Machinery noises and other routine shipboard activity including night 

flight/amphibious operations may impact on crew rest. 

 (2) The ship is an industrial environment. Shipboard electrical systems are 

different. Fire hazards present a greater risk aboard ship than in the field. Risk 

management depends heavily on awareness and avoidance of the hazards. 

 (3) Hazardous chemicals, concentration of machinery, electronic emitters, and 

shipboard weapons stations compound the hazards. 

 (4) Limited space and tight quarters present injury hazards from equipment 

and/or boxes hanging on the walls (bulkheads) and ceilings (overheads). 

 (5) Shipboard drills require participation by all personnel aboard ship. 

 (6) Water survival considerations. All embarked personnel should be aware of 

water survival techniques. 

 (7) Personnel should be trained in the use of flight deck safety equipment. 

 (8) Wind and ship motion may adversely impact what would otherwise be 

routine evolutions. 

 (9) Shipboard activities must be coordinated to ensure incompatible evolutions 

do not occur in close proximity. 

 (10) Salt air exposure and its corrosive effects on airframe and electronic 

components/systems. 

 (11) Mitigation programs; tool control, foreign object damage (FOD) control, 

and ship wide drills. 

 (12) Shipboard standard terminology/compartment numbering. 

 c. General Safety Measures. The squadron CO or detachment OIC and ship 

personnel will evaluate the hazards involved in all phases of shipboard helicopter 

operations and develop appropriate safety measures. Shipboard personnel will be trained 

in safe operating procedures before commencement of helicopter operations. 

 (1) During flight operations, only those personnel whose presence is required 

will be allowed in the flight deck area. All other personnel will remain clear or below 

deck. 

 (2) Personnel engaged in flight operations will wear approved head and ear 

protection, sound suppressors, safety goggles, steel toe safety shoes, flotation devices, 

WARNING: Under no circumstances will flash pictures be taken of the 

aircraft because the flash may temporarily blind the pilots and deck crew. 
Planning 

 II-29 

long-sleeved shirts or flight deck jerseys, and long trousers. Reflective tape will be 

applied to headgear and/or the upper body area of flight deck personnel clothing or 

equipment. All personnel on exposed decks will remove their hats (except for approved 

fastened safety helmets) while helicopter operations are being conducted. All personnel 

on the flight deck must be trained to take cover immediately on command of the flight 

deck officer, air officer, LSE, or landing signals officer (LSO). 

 (3) Personnel are allowed to transit the area under the rotor arc of an operating 

helicopter only with the permission of the pilot (who will signal the LSE or LSO before 

permitting such passage). For operating helicopters configured with a tail rotor, persons 

transiting from one side to the other under the rotor arc, will do so via the nose of the 

aircraft. The use of a guide to move personnel around turning aircraft rotor blades should 

be considered. 

 d. Safety Concerns for Aircraft Passengers and Troop Movement. All 

shipboard passenger transfers shall be conducted IAW OPNAVINST 3710.7T, NATOPS 

General Flight and Operating Instructions. Ensure that passengers to be transferred are 

manifested and briefed per service guidelines, NAVAIR 00-80T-105 CV NATOPS 

Manual, NAVAIR 00-80T-106 LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual, or NAVAIR 00-80T-122 

Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air-Capable Ships, have proper cranial protection 

and emergency flotation devices, and have received a flight emergency briefing with a 

copy of the pertinent helicopter emergency diagram. 

 e. Safety Concerns for Transfer of Personnel by Hoist 

 (1) If landing is not practicable, a transfer may be made by hoist. Passengers in 

the helicopter shall remain seated with safety belts secured at all times except when 

otherwise directed by a crewman during the actual hoist transfer. Personnel shall be 

briefed on helicopter ditching procedures and the proper position of the hoisting device. 

They shall be instructed not to carry personal baggage during the hoisting operation. 

 (2) Flight deck personnel shall ground out the helicopter hoist cable prior to the 

passenger reaching the ship’s deck. 

 (3) Transfer of passengers by hoist at night is prohibited except in 

emergency situations. 

 f. Night Over-water Helicopter Passenger Flights. Night over-water helicopter 

passenger flights to/from carriers and/or amphibious ships are prohibited except in cases 

of operational necessity. Night helicopter passenger flights to or from ACSs shall be 

limited to situations of an operational necessity to properly certified ships. These 

limitations do not preclude troop movement in support of amphibious, special warfare, 

and/or explosive ordnance disposal exercises/operations. 
Chapter II 

II-30 JP 3-04 

 g. General Flight Deck Hazards

 (1) Foreign Object Damage. All-weather deck areas, and particularly the flight 

deck, will be inspected before and monitored throughout all helicopter operations to 

ensure that they are clear of FOD. FOD-producing material includes rags, paper, line, 

ball caps, hardware, and other matter that can be caught by air currents and can 

subsequently cause damage to the aircraft or injure personnel. 

 (2) Helicopter Equipment Hazards. Equipment aboard helicopters can present 

unfamiliar dangers to ship personnel. Equipment restrictions and limitations should be 

discussed during the presail conference and reinforced during orientation. 

 (3) Weapon Hazards 

 (a) Helicopters parked or operating in the vicinity of ship’s weapons are 

subject to damage from rocket blast, gunfire concussion, and FOD from materials 

scattered when ship’s weapons are fired. All appropriate measures should be taken to 

preclude the firing of any weapon in the vicinity of the helicopter operating area when an 

aircraft is parked on deck or when flight operations are in progress. When weapons firing 

is anticipated, aircraft will be positioned outside the weapons blast or concussion range. 

If this is not possible, aircraft should be secured as far as is practical from the firing 

mounts, with doors and hatches open. 

 (b) Procedures for the custody and security of personal small arms (i.e., 9 

millimeter and .38 caliber pistols and A4/M16 rifles) will be IAW the ship’s current 

small arms (weapons) instruction and OPNAVINST 5530.13. 

 h. Emergency Procedures. While aboard ship, there are generally two categories 

of emergencies: shipboard emergencies (especially ship-wide emergencies) or aircraft 

emergencies. Each emergency situation is unique. Therefore, advance formulation of 

procedures may not hold in every instance, but the following general guidelines are 

appropriate 

 (1) Shipboard emergencies and drills. These emergencies include “GQ” and 

“man overboard.” 

 (a) GQ is a condition of readiness when naval action is imminent. All 

battle stations are fully manned and alert; ammunition is ready for instant loading; guns 

and guided missile launchers may be loaded. Normally, embarked personnel are directed 

to their working area or berthing area during GQ in order to allow ship’s personnel to 

conduct battle or handle the emergency situation. 

 (b) “Man overboard” indicates there may be someone in the water who 

needs to be rescued. When “man overboard” is announced it is imperative that a visual 

muster be conducted of all personnel. An accurate muster is necessary to determine 

whether someone from the ship is, in fact, in the water, and who that person is. The 

muster report should be forwarded to damage control central or the bridge as required. 
Planning 

 II-31 

The method for forwarding this information will depend on the ship’s established 

procedures. 

 (2) Aircraft Emergencies. These emergencies fall into three basic categories: 

aircraft ditch or crash; an immediate landing; and, a precautionary shipboard landing. 

 (a) Helicopter emergency information will be passed to the flight deck 

crew and fire party either over the 1MC or the flight deck crew announcing system, 

whichever is most expedient. 

 

 (b) When the flight deck has an emergency and a crash alarm is sounded, 

unnecessary personnel will be cleared from the flight deck and surrounding area. 

 (c) During any emergency, the first consideration of the ship should be to 

close the distance to the helicopter and prepare for immediate recovery. For single spot 

ship emergencies, the senior member of the air detachment onboard the ship should 

report to the bridge. If the emergency involves a tail rotor malfunction, single engine, or 

power loss, optimum relative wind for recovery is required. If a flight control 

malfunction is indicated, a stable flight deck with acceptable winds is warranted. 

Specific actions are outlined in aircraft flight manuals. 

 i. Cold Weather Operations. The operation of helicopters in cold weather 

requires special procedures for maintenance, servicing, and operations. Extreme cold 

weather operations require advance preparations and special equipment and procedures. 

The Allied Tactical Publication (ATP)-17, Naval Arctic Manual, is an excellent resource. 

It includes information on crew exposure, helicopter icing, and general cold weather 

operational guidance. 

 (1) Environmental Considerations. Adverse climatic and other environmental 

conditions at sea will affect ships and their equipment during cold weather operations. 

 (2) Maintenance and Servicing. While routine tasks take longer because of 

difficulties posed by low temperatures, aircraft and equipment can be maintained and 

serviced when exposed to temperatures as low as -40 °Celsius (C). The time required to 

perform a maintenance task on an aircraft in cold weather is best determined by 

considering it to be a function of wind chill rather than temperature. Cold weather 

operation of helicopters shall be IAW the applicable aircraft manual. 

 (3) When refueling at low temperatures, care should be taken because objects 

can become charged with static electricity more readily than at normal temperatures. 

Refueling should be carried out as soon as possible after shutdown to prevent water 

condensation inside fuel tanks. 

Spilled fuel on the skin can result in quick freezing and severe frostbite of 

the affected area. 
Chapter II 

II-32 JP 3-04 

 (4) Flight Operations. All flight operations should be planned and scheduled 

with consideration for aircrew/passenger survival time and SAR capability in the area of 

operations. Personnel transfers to or from ships during cold weather operations should be 

kept to a minimum as required by operational necessity. Cold weather passenger 

transfers should be performed over the shortest distance possible, preferably within visual 

range. Transferring and receiving units should establish and maintain UHF 

communications/radar contact for the duration of the transfer. 

 (5) Cold-Water Estimated Survival Time. Figure II-5 displays predicted coldwater survival time (defined as the time required to cool to 30 °C) of lightly clothed, nonexercising humans in cold water. The graph shows a line for the average expectancy and 

a broad zone that indicates the large amount of individual variability associated with 

different body size, build, fatness, physical fitness, and state of health. The zone would 

include approximately 95 percent of the variation expected for adult and teenage humans 

under the conditions specified. The zone would be shifted downward into the fast coolers 

section by physical activity (e.g., swimming) and upward into the slow coolers section for 

heavy clothing and/or protective behaviors (e.g., huddling with other survivors or 

adopting a fetal position in the water). Specialized insulated protective clothing (e.g., 

survival suits, wet suits) are capable of increasing survival time from 2 to 10 times (or 

more) the basic duration shown here. In the zone where death from hypothermia is 

highly improbable, cold water greatly facilitates death from drowning, often in the first 

10 to 15 minutes, particularly for those not wearing flotation devices. 

8. Ordnance 

 a. Ordnance Movement, Handling and Stowage. The movement, handling, and 

stowage of explosive ordnance carried aboard ships and aircraft is inherently dangerous. 

Shipboard handling/stowage of A/E is therefore governed by the most definitive and 

restrictive Department of Defense (DOD) regulations and precautions. What might be 

considered a relatively minor explosive incident ashore could be catastrophic underway 

due to the confined environment aboard ship. Safety is the responsibility of all levels of 

command, and understanding the risk is paramount. Sound knowledge and a healthy 

respect for ordnance operations will help ensure that safety requirements are met. Safety 

must not be jeopardized by either the introduction of weapons not approved for shipboard 

employment by WSESRB/CNO or use of inadequately trained personnel to accomplish 

explosive tasks. The destructive capacity of explosives has the potential to severely 

cripple or destroy the ship and crew in a matter of minutes. It is therefore imperative that 

mandatory safety procedures are complied with at all times by qualified and certified 

personnel with the appropriate supervision. 

 (1) Ordnance Onload. Ordnance onload requires extensive preplanning and 

coordination by ship’s force. CNO approved waivers may be required. To ensure the 

Arctic wind-chill factor near a hovering helicopter can freeze exposed 

flesh in a matter of seconds. Protective measures and frequent rotation 

of personnel should be considered. 
Planning 

 II-33 

PREDICTED COLD-WEATHER SURVIVAL TIME

DEATH FROM 

HYPOTHERMIA 

HIGHLY PROBABLE

SURVIVAL TIME (Hours)

DEATH FROM HYPOTHERMIA 

HIGHLY IMPROBABLE

WATER TEMPERATURE

C = Celcius F = Farenheit

NMC0002

25C

(77F)

20C

(68F)

15C

(59F)

10C

(50F)

5C

(41F)

0C

(32F)

12

11

10

9

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Slow 

Coolers

Average

Fast

Coolers

Figure II-5. Predicted Cold-Water Survival Times 

onload is conducted smoothly and efficiently, it is imperative that the embarking 

helicopter detachment keeps ship safety personnel up to date on a continual basis 

regarding the types and quantities of ordnance to be loaded/employed. Message format 

will be used initially and when any change occurs. Per OPNAVINST 8023.24A all 

personnel handling aviation ordnance shall be fully trained, qualified and certified for all 

assigned tasks. The ship’s explosive handling qualification and certification board 

qualify ship’s personnel per this directive. The embarked USA/USAF detachment shall 

also comply with the requirements of OPNAVINST 8023.24A using the process and 

procedure outlined below. 

 (2) Embarked USA/USAF Helicopter Detachment Aviation Ordnance Device 

Handling. Safe aviation ordnance handling is critical to the survivability of the ship and 

the safety of all hands. The qualification and certification of personnel tasked with the 

safe and efficient handling of aviation ordnance is no more effective than the command 

certification of a thorough and effective training program that covers each. 
Chapter II 

II-34 JP 3-04 

9. Electromagnetic Environmental Effects 

 a. Introduction. Operations in and around ships subject both the helicopter and 

the ship to E3 emissions neither may have been designed to encounter. When planning 

JSHO, potential radiation hazards, electromagnetic interference, and electronic 

vulnerability effects must be considered so that applicable transmitter conditions can be 

set prior to arrival of helicopters aboard the ship. Planners should contact the Joint 

Spectrum Center (JSC) to receive proper HERO and EMVs guidance prior to issuing 

authorization to conduct helicopter operations. 

 b. Conducting flight operations on and around ships places a helicopter in close 

proximity to dozens of high-powered transmitters, and can make them susceptible to E3. 

Among the primary areas of concern for the planner are the susceptibility of unshielded 

helicopter electronic systems and non-maritime ordnance carried by helicopters/personnel 

to shipboard emitters and the susceptibility of shipboard sensors and communications to 

helicopter emitters. In a worst case scenario, these transmitters can detonate or dud 

ordnance, impact flight control systems, and permanently damage helicopter avionics and 

electronics. Unlike their USN/ US Marine Corps (USMC) counterparts, most helicopters 

were not designed to operate in the shipboard electromagnetic environment. And since 

many of these high-powered transmitters are utilized by the ship’s air/missile defense, 

navigation and communications systems, they cannot be simply turned off when 

helicopters are embarked. Therefore, many precautions must be taken to protect these 

aircraft from the E3 impact of the shipboard transmitters. 

 (1) The integrated joint force operational EME is continuously changing as 

existing systems are modified and new systems are installed. Joint service operations 

increase the potential for safety, interoperability, and reliability problems, if the platforms 

and their associated systems and equipment, including avionics, ordnance, and other 

embarked systems, are exposed to an operational EME different from those for which 

they were designed and tested. Integrated joint operations aboard Navy aviation capable 

ships require a careful balance of weapons, EMCON, delivery platforms, and ordnance 

handling procedures in the most extreme EMEs. The following sections present 

guidelines for several E3 issues which can adversely affect operations. 

 (2) HERO 

 (a) Purpose. A major concern when operating joint service helicopters on 

ships is HERO. This section covers the procedures and guidelines that are necessary for 

safe JSHO from a HERO perspective. 

 (b) DOD and JSC work with NOSSA and Naval Surface Warfare Center 

Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD) to determine what safety measures are required to 

mitigate the risks associated with non-Navy ordnance aboard Navy ships. This analysis 

must be accomplished prior to embarking any non-Navy ordnance onboard ships. To 

ensure that this is accomplished quickly and efficiently, the embarked units must be 

prepared to provide the DODIC and NSN a list of all ordnance items that will be brought 
Planning 

 II-35 

to the ship. This includes aircraft cartridge actuated devices, fuel tank, fire suppression, 

aircraft ordnance, and personnel munitions. 

 (c) Introduction. Ordnance items containing electro-explosive devices 

(EEDs) are sensitive to electromagnetic (EM) energy from a variety of sources, such as 

radar and communication transmitters, including hand held "walkie-talkie" devices. 

Extreme caution must be exercised to ensure that EEDs are not exposed to an EME that 

would cause inadvertent activation of the ordnance, thus causing injury to personnel 

and/or damage to property. This potential hazard exists in all lifecycle phases of an 

ordnance item, including storage, transportation, assembly, disassembly, handling, 

loading, staging, when platform loaded, and immediately post launch. There are 

numerous at-sea and in-the-air situations where an ordnance item may become exposed to 

an unacceptable level of EM energy. Ordnance items that contain EEDs can be 

inadvertently activated or "dudded" by the EM fields typically present in the exposed 

topside areas of operational ships. The operational restriction of transmitter emissions 

through the use of standard EMCON procedures may reduce vital sensory data needed 

for successful battle force management in a hostile environment. Any unnecessary 

restriction placed upon radar, communication, electronic warfare, and other shipboard 

systems to avoid ordnance mishaps can severely limit the host platform's warfighting 

capability. Accordingly, it becomes essential that comprehensive and accurate HERO 

information is made available to the operational commander in order that realistic 

balances can be established and employed between ordnance operations and the use of 

communication, radar, and electronic warfare transmitters. 

 (d) Responsibilities 

 1. Department of the Navy (DON) HERO Program. As previously 

noted, the ship’s CO has ultimate authority over embarked units in all areas involving 

safety of the ship or its crew. With respect to HERO safety, the Navy has well 

established policies and procedures to ensure safety of operations involving ordnance 

exposure to the electromagnetic environment. The DON HERO program objectives are 

to develop, coordinate, and direct HERO efforts to ensure that the conflict between 

ordnance safety and use of the EM spectrum can be effectively managed in the conduct 

of DON and joint-Service operations. These objectives are met primarily by the design 

and certification of electrically initiated ordnance to the requirements of Military 

Standard (MIL-STD) 464A, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for 

Systems and the measurement of the EME ashore and afloat as required by NAVSEA OP 

3565 Volume 2, Electromagnetic Radiation Hazards to Ordnance. NAVSEA OP 3565 

classifies ordnance types as SAFE, SUSCEPTIBLE, UNSAFE, or UNRELIABLE. It 

establishes separation distances between ordnance and various types of RF emitters, 

describes how to develop the HERO EMCON bill and provides procedures for 

calculating field strengths and requesting a HERO survey. NAVSEA Instruction 

(NAVSEAINST) 8020.7C, Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance Safety 

Program assigns the NOSSA with the responsibility to administer the HERO program 

within the DON. The NSWCDD is assigned the technical agent for the DON HERO 

program and provides engineering and technical support including maintaining HERO 
Chapter II 

II-36 JP 3-04 

test facilities, certifying ordnance and weapon systems for use aboard ship, and providing 

operational HERO EMCON bills for managing ordnance operations aboard ship and at 

shore facilities. 

 2. CO and Helicopter Detachment OIC. DOD 6055.9-STD, DOD 

Ammunition and Explosives Safety Standards requires DOD components to take 

measures to ensure HERO issues are resolved during the planning of joint or combined 

operations. Measures that can minimize HERO include: identifying ordnance 

susceptibilities; quantifying electromagnetic environments; evaluating risks associated 

with ordnance procedures; and establishing tailored EMCON instructions. However, 

when the Navy’s HERO EMCON bill does not address the operational concerns on nonNavy ordnance aboard ship, the JSC’s ordnance E3 risk assessment database (JOERAD) 

should be consulted for assistance. The commanders’ responsibilities include: 

 3. Ship’s Commanding Officer. The ship’s CO has overall 

responsibility for the welfare and safety of all personnel on the ship. Although not allinclusive, the CO’s responsibilities for safe ordnance handling are: 

 a. Provide safe ordnance operations and verification of helicopter 

detachment and personnel ordnance certifications. 

 b. Maintain a technical publications library of aviation ordnance 

handling, safety, and security publications, checklists, and associated Navy TYCOM 

instructions. These publications will normally be made available as a predeployment 

package by the TYCOM. 

 c. Stow all ammunition IAW NAVSEA OP 4, Ammunition and 

Explosives Safety Afloat, and if required, submit waivers for stowage of ammunition and 

obtaining approval prior to loading on board. 

 d. Verify that all ordnance for use by the helicopter unit has been 

approved by the WSESRB. A report is made to the TYCOM on initial receipt of all 

ammunition brought aboard for the aviation detachment. Monthly reports reflecting air 

detachment inventory will be submitted until the detachment departs. A final report will 

then be submitted. 

 e. Ensure that a HERO or EMCON bill is promulgated before 

arrival of a helicopter detachment. COs will ensure that electromagnetic radiation 

hazards that have the potential to affect electro-explosive ordnance devices, fuel, and 

assigned personnel are controlled during shipboard helicopter operations. The ship’s 

HERO or EMCON bill should depict individual HERO or EMCON conditions to be set 

before each specific operational condition, specifically arming or de-arming, aviation 

ordnance movements, and fueling operations. 

 f. Establish an aviation ordnance qualification or certification 

board to certify the combined ship and other Service aviation ordnance team. 
Planning 

 II-37 

 4. Helicopter Detachment OIC Responsibilities. The detachment 

OIC is responsible to the ship’s CO for safe aviation ordnance operations as they relate to 

the helicopter unit. Although not all-inclusive, the OIC will: 

 a. Ensure that detachment personnel use Service and WSESRBapproved aircraft system checklists and ordnance loading and downloading procedures. 

 b. Verify the qualification of assigned detachment personnel to 

conduct aviation ordnance operations aboard ship, and will present qualification or 

certification documentation to the ship’s CO when requested. 

 c. Assist the ship’s ordnance personnel in the handling and 

movement of aviation ordnance and related materials from the ship’s magazines to 

designated assembly, staging or ready service, or flight deck areas as appropriate. 

 d. Provide the ship with an ammunition embarkation plan that 

identifies the types, quantities, number of pallets, weight, and cube of ammunition. 

 e. Provide an inventory of all personal and individual weapons. 

 f. Acquire a list of WSESRB approved weapons and explosives. 

 g. Upon receipt of the WSESRB list of approved weapons and 

explosives, certify to the ship’s CO that all detachment ordnance meets WSESRB 

requirements for shipboard operations. 

 h. Ensure compliance with the ship’s qualification or certification 

board to certify the combined ship and detachment aviation ordnance team. 

 (e) HERO EMCON Bill. A HERO EMCON bill is a set of directions for 

implementing HERO restrictions on ships and shore stations. Aboard ship, an EMCON 

bill’s development and implementation are typically the responsibility of the combat 

system officer or the EWO. Its purpose is to prescribe operating restrictions, through 

advance planning, the known conflicts between the EME created by high-power 

transmitting equipment and HERO classified ordnance. The degree of relief from HERO 

EMCON restrictions that can be obtained by following a HERO EMCON bill is 

dependent upon two factors: 

 1. The amount and type of ordnance that is involved, and 

 2. Knowledge of the ambient RF environment at locations where 

exposure occurs during presence, handling, loading, storage, assembly, and transportation 

operations. 

 (f) Once the EMCON bill is established, appropriate separation distances 

must be maintained between fixed emitter systems and inbound and outbound aircraft 
Chapter II 

II-38 JP 3-04 

carrying HERO SUSCEPTIBLE and HERO UNSAFE/UNRELIABLE ordnance. This 

process may also result in the silencing of communications and high-power search and 

fire control radars. 

 (g) The ship requires information concerning the exact ordnance the 

embarking unit will be loading aboard. This information is important both for the ship’s 

ordnance personnel to plan where and how to store it, but also for ship operators to 

determine other safety factors. As noted in the listing of responsibilities of the 

detachment OIC, the embarking detachment must declare all ordnance and emitter items 

to the ship’s CO. This information will allow any required changes to be made to the 

ship’s EMCON bill due to the introduction of the embarking detachment’s ordnance 

loadout. The embarking unit provides a detailed list of all ordnance to be deployed 

aboard the ship with the following information as soon as the mission has been identified. 

Items on the list include: 

 1. DODIC or NALC: Ammunition is identified by a DODIC or a 

NALC. 

 2. Quantities: Total amount for each DODIC. 

 3. Stock Numbers: NSN, which will be used for locating more 

information on each item. 

 4. Lot Numbers: ALN or SN. 

 5. Hazard Classification: Department of Transportation code issued 

to all ordnance items used to determine storage segregation for HAZMAT. 

 6. Container Dimensions: The dimensions of ammunition containers 

as separate items and also as a palletized load both to ensure adequate storage space and 

to determine how the ship will load as combat cargo. 

 7. Additionally, a list of all small arms the unit is bringing. 

 (d) NAVSEA OP 3565 Vol.-2 addresses HERO EMCON requirements and 

procedures in detail. A HERO survey is usually required to develop the HERO EMCON 

bill. This survey provides measured data on the shipboard EME along with detailed 

information on the configuration, status, and operational procedures of RF transmitters 

and ordnance items. 

 (3) Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Fuel (HERF) and Personnel 

(HERP) 

 (a) HERF. HERF is the potential hazard that is created when volatile 

combustibles, such as fuel, are exposed to EM fields of sufficient energy to cause 

ignition. To reduce the possibility of fuel vapor ignition by high-powered transmitters or 
Planning 

 II-39 

other spark sources, the Navy uses JP-5 aircraft fuel exclusively aboard ship. Typically, 

most Army and Air Force units use JP-8 which has a lower flash point than JP-5 and is 

therefore considered more susceptible to shipboard E3. Aircraft containing JP-8 fuel may 

operate aboard Navy ships, to include launch/recovery, startup/shutdown, and refueling. 

Aircraft with fuels other than JP-5 are requested to notify the ship’s air officer “air boss“ 

prior to landing, so appropriate precautions may be taken by flight deck personnel. 

Aircraft containing fuel other than JP-5 will not be allowed in the ship’s hangar. If 

shipboard hangaring of nonorganic aircraft is anticipated, embarking helicopters should 

make every effort to fill all aircraft tanks with JP-5 fuel prior to arrival on the ship 

(available at most Navy airfields). If this is not possible, the aircraft will be refueled on 

the flight deck with JP-5, and fuel samples will be drawn and flash point tested. The 

aircraft will not be hangared until all samples test at 120°Fahrenheit (F) or higher. In the 

absence of flash point testing, aircraft arriving with fuel other than JP-5 will not be 

permitted in the hangar until they have been refueled at least three times with JP-5. For 

more specific information, consult NAVAIR 00-80T-109, Aircraft Refueling NATOPS 

Manual. 

 (b) HERP. HERP is the potential hazard that exists when personnel are 

exposed to an electromagnetic field of sufficient intensity to heat the human body. If the 

body's heat gain exceeds its ability to rid itself of excess heat, an increase in body 

temperature can occur that could have an effect on metabolic processes, with potentially 

deleterious effects. Radiation from high-powered transmitters can cause injury to 

personnel in the vicinity of transmitting antennae located on the ship’s deck and masts. 

Stand-off areas around high-powered RF antennas are clearly marked on the ship’s decks 

and bulkheads with a bright red circle. Since it is not possible to visibly determine if an 

antenna is transmitting, personnel should avoid entering these stand-off areas at all times. 

Exposure to excessive levels of RF radiation may not produce a noticeable feeling of pain 

or heat to warn that injury is occurring. Avoid entry into marked stand-off areas. 

 (4) EMCON and EMV 

 (a) This section covers the EMCON and EMV information that is 

necessary to prepare for compatible and interference-free JSHO. Some non-maritime 

helicopters have not been tested in the electromagnetic environment of various ship 

classes. When conducting non-USN operations, consideration must be given to potential 

radiation hazards, electromagnetic interference, and EMV. 

 (b) Joint service operations increase the potential for undesired E3, 

particularly if the platforms and their associated systems and equipment are exposed to 

operational EMEs different from those for which they were designed and tested. When 

helicopters are operating in the vicinity of ships, there must be established guidelines and 

procedures to avoid or minimize the potential for harmful EMI to shipboard, avionics, 

engine, and flight control systems. This guidance provides platform distance separation 

restrictions, along with radar main-beam illumination restrictions to preclude "burnout" 

and/or performance degradation of sensitive electronic components aboard the aircraft. 
Chapter II 

II-40 JP 3-04 

The preparation and implementation of an effective HERO EMCON bill will also assist 

in the control of EMI during operational deployments. 

 (c) In an effort to mitigate E3 on joint service helicopters, numerous EMV 

tests have been conducted on Army and Air Force airframes. Many Army helicopters 

can obtain shipboard transmitter guidance from the aircraft’s high intensity radio 

transmission area (HIRTA) messages. The negative effects of shipboard transmitters is 

known and documented in EMV reports, but these are not published in an operatorfriendly format; however this information is contained in JOERAD, to provide complete 

E3 information for the embarked unit and the ship’s company. 
CHAPTER III 

OPERATIONS 

III-1 

1. Embarkation 

 Helicopter operations from ships place both ship and flight personnel in a unique and 

demanding environment. Close coordination and proper actions are required by all 

personnel at all times. Operational effectiveness and flight safety require extensive 

training in the areas of C2, aircraft coordination, and flight deck procedures. In order to 

provide the required amount of teamwork and enhance flight safety, the air officer, 

aviation officer, detachment OIC, or a designated officer shall conduct the following 

briefings: 

 a. Commanding Officer and Executive Officer. The CO and XO will receive a 

thorough brief from the air or aviation department head and the OIC of the Service 

helicopter detachment. This briefing will cover, but should not be limited to, aircraft 

capabilities, planned training, and operational evolutions, with impact on ship’s schedule 

and waiver requirements emphasized. Particular emphasis will be placed on the relation 

of each evolution to normal operations and any waiver requirements. 

 b. Helicopter Control Officer. A HCO is a designated helicopter pilot or a 

graduate of the helicopter indoctrination course. In nonaviation facility ships, the HCO 

will be responsible for the supervision and direction of launching and landing operations 

and for servicing and handling of all embarked helicopters. The HCO or air officer will 

thoroughly brief the OIC of the helicopter unit before commencing joint flight operations. 

This brief will cover, but is not limited to the following: 

 (1) Radio communications and terminology. See recommended brevity codes 

in Field Manual (FM) 1-02.1/MCRP 3-25G/Navy Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures 

(NTTP) 6-02.1/Air Force Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (Instruction) (AFTTP[I]) 

3-2.5, Multi-Service Brevity Codes.

 (2) Light and hand signals 

 (3) Aircraft configuration, including fueling, armament, TD, and rescue 

specifics 

 (4) NVD procedures and operating techniques 

 (5) Emergency procedures 

 c. Ship’s Air or Aviation Officer, Flight Deck Officer or Director, and Flight 

Deck Cargo Supervisor. Key air operations personnel will be briefed on planned 

““If you are in trouble anywhere in the world, an airplane can fly over and 

drop flowers, but a helicopter can land and save your life.”

- Igor Sikorsky, 1947
Chapter III 

III-2 JP 3-04 

operations by the ship’s operations officer. Coordination of flight deck evolutions and 

operation-specific procedures will be covered in detail. 

 d. Officer of the Deck (OOD). All OODs will be briefed by the air or aviation 

department head and operations officer regarding specific limitations on deck movement, 

wind envelopes, and the ship’s light configuration. 

 e. Engineer Officer or Aviation Fuels Officer. These officers will be briefed by 

the embarked detachment with regard to the type of fuel to be brought aboard by the 

Service units, fuel requirements, and fueling or defueling procedures once aboard. 

Particular attention will be paid to the hazards of JP-8 and its effect on storage risks, 

volatility of mixtures, and firefighting considerations. The engineering or aviation fuels 

officer is responsible for routine fuel sample inspections and will provide a fuel sample 

for the helicopter aircraft commander during “hot refuelings” (refueling with engines, 

auxiliary power units, and/or rotors in operation). 

 f. Crash Crew or Fire Party On-Scene Leader. Firefighting and rescue 

personnel will be briefed by the embarked detachment regarding aircraft particulars as 

they pertain to rescue and salvage operations. Once embarked for operations, the 

helicopter detachments will provide the weapons officer and crash crew personnel with 

orientation lectures on rescue access, armament safing, ordnance, firefighting hazards, 

and aircraft emergency shutdown procedures. 

 g. LSO or LSE. The LSO or LSE will be briefed by the embarked detachment on 

special requirements with regard to lighting, signals, NVDs, aircraft securing, and fueling 

operations. 

 h. Air Controllers and Combat Information Center Personnel. Air control 

personnel will be briefed by the operations officer with regard to communications and 

identification equipment, SAR capabilities, weather criteria, and instrument approach 

procedures. 

 i. Weapons Department Personnel. Weapons department personnel will be 

briefed by the embarked detachment on the characteristics of all aviation ordnance 

planned for employment, loading/arming/safing procedures and inherent design safety 

features of the ordnance and aircraft systems of each aircraft planned for embarkation. 

Non-Navy embarking units will provide training to ship’s weapons personnel on 

ordnance when requested by the ship following the presail conference. 

 j. Flight Deck Personnel. Flight deck personnel, including the ordnance officer, 

will be briefed by the embarked detachment on platform-specific procedures for fueling 

and deck handling evolutions, including procedures for the use of NVDs if their use is 

planned. 
Operations 

III-3 

 k. Ship’s Company Briefs. When applicable, the ship’s company will be briefed 

by the executive department regarding operations security aspects and restrictive lighting 

measures, including the lighting hazards during NVD operations. 

 l. Command and Control Spaces. Most Navy ships are not configured with C2 

spaces for embarked Army or Air Force units. The embarked unit command element will 

be required to share already-cramped shipboard C2 spaces. 

 m. Communications Equipment. Some embarked units will bring their own 

portable communications equipment. While having their own communications pathways 

can ease competition for scarce shipboard resources, antenna location must be 

coordinated. Additionally, possible interference with shipboard electronics and EMCON 

policies must be considered and carefully coordinated. 

2. Shipboard Command Relationships 

 The CCDR will define command relationships for contingency operations. These 

relationships must be clearly delineated for all participants. Questions regarding 

command relationships should be addressed during the presail conference or addressed 

through the respective chain-of-command. 

 a. Ship’s Commanding Officer. USN and USCG regulations set forth the 

authority of the ship’s CO with respect to aircraft embarked in or operating from the ship. 

When operating with a helicopter detachment embarked, the joint force commander’s 

(JFC’s) operation order will define command relationships for the assigned mission. 

These command relationships will normally apply from initial embarkation until final 

debarkation. In all cases, the ship’s CO retains authority over embarked units in all areas 

involving safety of the ship or its crew. 

 b. Embarked Unit Officer in Charge. An embarked unit OIC shall be provided 

for embarked joint operations. The OIC reports directly to the ship’s CO, air wing 

commander, or authority specified by the JFC for the mission assigned. 

Administratively, the OIC normally reports to the ship’s XO for matters of day-to-day 

routine with respect to the embarked unit while embarked on the ship. When embarked 

on aviation-capable or amphibious assault aviation ship, the OIC reports to the officer 

specified in the appropriate tasking order regarding the assigned mission and 

administrative routine. Normal procedure will be for the organic helicopter squadron on 

the aircraft carrier to act as host and provide liaison between the ship and the embarked 

unit. The OIC has the authority and responsibility for the following: 

 (1) Initiate coordination for a predeployment conference. (See sample checklist 

in Appendix C, “Predeployment Planning Checklists.”) 

 (2) Coordinate embarked unit embarkation requirements with the XO of the 

ship. 
Chapter III 

III-4 JP 3-04 

 (3) Provide certification documents to the ship’s CO on the embarked unit’s 

completion of presail. 

 (4) Coordinate all requirements for communications to higher authority with 

the ship’s CO. 

 (5) Apprise the ship’s CO and operations officer of operational and support 

requirements that directly affect the ship’s operations. 

 (6) Apprise the ship’s CO of embarked unit’s readiness when required for 

operational reporting requirements to higher authority. 

 (7) Ensure embarked unit compliance with ship’s routine operating and 

administrative instructions. 

3. Flight and Hangar Deck Operations 

The ship’s CO has overall responsibility for all actions that take place on a ship to 

include the flight and hangar decks. Limited space and the potential for conducting 

numerous varied and hazardous tasks simultaneously require close control and 

coordination to ensure that operations are conducted safely. Flight and hangar decks are 

a hazardous work area. Constant vigilance is required to prevent personal injury or 

helicopter/equipment damage during flight and hangar deck operations. The embarked 

unit should plan on providing a flight deck liaison noncommissioned officer to facilitate 

close coordination with the ship’s personnel. 

 a. Immediately after embarkation, the unit should expect to attend a general 

shipboard safety brief. This brief should also include the conduct expected of personnel 

while on the flight and hangar decks. Aircrews and maintenance personnel can expect a 

more specific flight and hangar deck orientation brief prior to beginning their operations 

in these areas. The risks associated with conducting daily flight and hangar deck 

operations aboard ship can be minimized through effective communication and 

coordination between ship's personnel and embarked personnel. 

 b. The combination of relative winds and rotor downwash when launching or 

landing a helicopter immediately adjacent to a spot occupied by a shutdown helicopter 

may cause rotor system damage to the shutdown helicopter. Blade fold systems of 

helicopters designed for land operations are designed for aircraft transport or storage 

only. Extreme care shall be taken when launching or recovering helicopters immediately 

adjacent to a spot occupied by these helicopters. Because of the susceptibility of the 

AH/MH-6 helicopter to wind-related damage, launches and recoveries to a spot 

immediately upwind or crosswind from a static AH/MH-6 (blades unsecured, tied down, 

or folded) should not be conducted except in case of an emergency. 
Operations 

III-5 

 c. Post Landing, Shutdown, and Blade Fold

 (1) Post Landing. All post landing events will be controlled by/coordinated 

with appropriate ship's personnel. After landing expect the following sequence of events 

in preparation for shutdown: 

 (a) The helicopter will be chocked and chained 

 (b) Cargo and personnel will be unloaded 

 (c) The helicopter will be shut down, unless it will be launching again 

 (d) The helicopter will be refueled (time and fuel state permitting) 

 (e) Any required immediate action maintenance will be performed (time 

permitting) 

 (2) Shutdown. Engine shutdown and rotor disengagement aboard ship can be 

more difficult and more hazardous than ashore, especially for helicopters that do not have 

a rotor brake. High winds and a rolling/pitching flight deck, coupled with the geometric 

design of ships and their superstructures, can cause unusual wind patterns (accelerated 

updrafts and downdrafts) in the helicopter shutdown area. Helicopters not equipped with 

a rotor brake may experience rotor coast-down times in excess of five minutes, as well as 

rotor blade flex and flap as the rotor RPM slows. It is not unusual for the main rotor 

blades to flap downward to within two feet of the flight deck or to flap up in excess of 45 

degrees during a no rotor brake shut down. This excess flapping can cause damage to 

rotor head components and is a potential safety hazard to personnel. Prior to no-rotor 

brake shutdowns, the ship should strive to obtain the minimum winds across the deck and 

should also keep other helicopters from landing on or departing from adjacent spots in 

order to reduce the possibility of helicopter component damage and/or personnel injury. 

 (3) Blade Fold. Onboard ship, folding or spreading main rotor blades may be 

required to conserve flight deck space, use the ship’s elevator or to hangar the aircraft. 

Typically, automatic blade fold systems are designed to fold helicopter main rotor blades 

in less than two minutes. The Air Force MH- 53 is equipped with an automatic blade 

fold system. Army helicopters do not have automatic blade fold systems. However, 

most Army helicopters have the capability to fold their blades manually. Manual blade 

fold times vary depending on the type of helicopter and the proficiency of the fold crew. 

In general, the smaller the helicopter the quicker and easier it is to fold. The MH-6 can 

fold rotor blades in less than 10 minutes while the MH-47 typically takes 40 minutes or 

longer to fold rotor blades. Manual blade fold procedures may require repositioning of 

the helicopter on the flight deck to ensure that blade walkers will be able to remain safely 

on the flight deck while walking blades to the folded position. Close coordination and 

understanding between the ship’s personnel and helicopter unit is required to determine 

blade fold capabilities and develop launch/recovery timelines. The effects of wind speed 

and direction, combined with ship motion, can adversely affect the ability to control the 
Chapter III 

III-6 JP 3-04 

blades. Crews must exercise extreme caution when folding or spreading blades in high 

wind/deck motion conditions. It is highly recommended that maintenance crews practice 

manual blade fold/blade spread procedures prior to embarking a ship. It is also 

recommended that the specific helicopter that will be embarked on the ship conduct at 

least one blade fold/spread evolution prior to embarkation to ensure that rotor head pins, 

nuts, bolts, etc., are serviceable and move freely and easily. 

 d. Shipboard Refuel/Defuel. JP-5 is required by the Navy for shipboard 

operations because of its higher flash point compared to other types of jet fuel. If 

possible, aircrew should plan to arrive aboard ship with only JP-5 in their fuel tanks. 

 e. Shipboard Helicopter Deck Handling/Movement. Safe, efficient helicopter 

movement aboard ship is a joint effort between ship's personnel and the helicopter unit's 

personnel. After coordination has been accomplished, the ship will provide a qualified 

move director and move crew. The helicopter unit will provide a plane captain or crew 

chief to act as a brake rider and/or unit safety observer. The embarked unit should 

provide ship's personnel with a helicopter orientation brief prior to handling/movement 

operations because ship’s personnel may not be familiar with other service helicopters. 

At a minimum, the orientation brief should cover TD points, grounding points, movement 

procedures, refuel/defuel procedures, unique features, and aircrew emergency 

access/rescue procedures. 

 f. On ACS ships without air departments, helicopter movement and handling will 

be conducted manually (personnel will push the helicopter to the desired location). On 

ships with air departments (aircraft carriers, AAASs, and amphibious transport docks), 

helicopter movement/handling is usually performed with tow bars, tow tractors, or other 

Navy ground support equipment provided by the ship. Any special equipment 

requirements for helicopter movement must be arranged with the ship. The embarking 

unit should be prepared to provide required specialized handling equipment. Severe 

weather, high winds (normally in excess of 45 knots relative) and/or high sea-state may 

preclude all helicopter movement/handling. 

 g. Pre-Takeoff Procedures. Based upon the air plan and flight schedule, the ship 

will man its flight quarters stations in time to meet the first scheduled launch. The ship 

and the helicopter unit will be conducting independent and coordinated actions in 

preparation for helicopter launch. Each ship and embarked unit should establish the pretakeoff sequence that best supports their operations and the assigned mission. A notional 

sequence of events in support of the initial launch of helicopter is listed below: 

Note: Army/Air Force blade fold support systems are not designed for the high 

winds and turbulence routinely encountered on the flight deck of a ship 

underway. Folded Army helicopters remaining on the flight deck with relative 

winds in excess of 25 knots or in proximity to launching/recovering helicopters 

may receive damage to their blade fold support systems, rotor blades, and/or 

rotor heads. 
Operations 

III-7 

 (1) Pilot/aircrew brief (approximately 120 minutes prior to launch time.*) 

 (2) Ship personnel man flight quarter stations (approximately 30 - 90 minutes 

prior to launch time*). All ATC, fueling, fire fighting, and helicopter 

movement/handling stations are manned. This time may need to be adjusted depending 

on the requirement to manually spread rotors and/or conduct ordnance evolutions. 

 (3) Ship calls for FOD walk-down (approximately 60 minutes prior to launch 

time*). 

 (4) Pilots/aircrews conduct preflight inspections (approximately 45 minutes 

prior to launch time*). 

 (5) Pilots/aircrew man helicopter (30 minutes prior to launch time pilots in their 

seats*). 

 (6) Ship obtains necessary winds for start. Helicopter engines started and rotors 

engaged (15 minutes prior to launch time*). Radio checks complete. 

 (7) Ship obtains winds for launch. Helicopter loaded (10 minutes prior to 

launch time*). 

 (8) All helicopters: chocks and chains removed (1 - 3 minutes prior to launch 

time*). 

 (9) Helicopter launched on time IAW the air plan/flight schedule. 

* These recommended times may be reduced as ship and unit personnel gain experience 

working together. 

Each ship and embarked unit should establish the pre-takeoff sequence that best supports 

their operations and the assigned mission. 

 h. Spread Rotors and Start Up

 (1) Spreading Rotors. Most helicopters have the capability to fold and spread 

rotor blades. The spread procedures are much the same as the fold procedures but they 

are conducted in reverse order. Embarked units will need to coordinate and schedule the 

rotor spread evolution to ensure completion in time to support the air plan and flight 

schedule. Manual blade spread will require the helicopter to be positioned so each blade 

can be “walked” into position by maintenance personnel. Once again, in general terms, 

the smaller helicopter will be able to spread their blades more rapidly than the larger 

helicopter. 
Chapter III 

III-8 JP 3-04 

 (2) Helicopter Start-Up and Rotor Engagement. Helicopter engines/auxiliary 

power units shall not be started without the ship's permission. It is the ship's personnel 

responsibility, through coordination with the embarked unit, to ensure that aircrews have 

the winds required for a safe engine start and rotor engagement for their specific 

helicopter. During initial engine start and rotor engagement, the low inertia/speed of the 

main rotor blades will permit rotor blades to flex and flap as they rotate. As the velocity 

of the relative wind increases, the likelihood of the blades flexing and flapping will also 

increase. Caution should be observed during this stage of rotor engagement to keep 

personnel outside and well clear of the rotor arc. Prior to rotor start-ups, the ship should 

strive to obtain minimum winds across the deck and should also preclude other 

helicopters from landing on and/or departing from adjacent spots in order to reduce the 

possibility of helicopter component damage and/or personnel injury. 

 (3) The aircrew must inform the ship once the pre-takeoff checks are complete 

and the helicopter is ready for takeoff. Following this notification, the ship will provide 

the relative winds for takeoff and will remove the chocks and chains from the helicopter. 

The helicopter is now ready for takeoff, pending clearance from the air boss, under the 

direction of LSE. 

 i. General Fueling Procedures. Helicopter fueling operations on ships are 

classified as either cold refueling (engines off) or hot refueling (rotors turning or engines 

operating). Cold refueling may be accomplished by pressure or gravity. Hot refueling is 

limited to pressure fueling only. Shipboard fueling and defueling procedures may be 

found in NAVAIR 00-80T-109, Aircraft Refueling NATOPS Manual and NAVAIR 00-

80T-122, Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air-Capable Ships NATOPS Manual.

 (1) Fuel Compatibility. To reduce the hazard of shipboard fires, only fuel with 

a flash point above 140°F is permitted to be stored aboard ships. USA and USAF aircraft 

use JP-8 (or their NATO/civilian equivalents which may include JP-4) as their first 

choice for fuel, although all can operate with JP-5. Since Army and Air Force shore 

installations typically do not provide JP-5 fuel - and Navy aviation refueling installations 

are not always available - it may not always be possible for helicopters to transition to JP5 prior to arriving at the ship. In addition, Navy safety doctrine prohibits the hangaring 

of helicopters with significant quantities of JP-4 or JP-8 in their tanks because of the low 

flash points of those fuels. Furthermore, JP-4 and JP-8 cannot be introduced into ship JP5 fuel tanks because of concerns about lowering the flash point of the fuel stock and 

introduction of additives (such as "Plus 100") that adversely affect the ability of Navy 

shipboard filtration systems to remove water from the fuel. Because JP-5 is not 

universally available on shore, helicopters are likely to arrive at the ship with significant 

quantities of JP-4 or JP-8 in their systems, especially in short notice operations. This 

presents a problem if it is necessary to immediately hangar the helicopter (high winds, 

maintenance). In this case, the choice is to either defuel the aircraft or introduce enough 

JP-5 into the helicopter's fuel tanks to raise the flash point to acceptable limits - which 

may, in itself, require defueling in order to allow for the addition of JP-5. Unless the ship 

is equipped with a holding tank to contain the discarded fuel, the only alternative will be 

to defuel the aircraft to the environment, which may not be a viable option, depending 
Operations 

III-9 

upon local environmental protection regulations. Therefore, if a ship is expected to 

operate with helicopters designed for land operations, it should be equipped with the 

capability to defuel JP-4 or JP-8 to a holding tank, or otherwise dispose of it. For 

exceptional circumstances, procedures for hangaring helicopters with other than JP-5 

may be found in NAVAIR-00-80T-106, LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual. The following 

procedures should be used to raise the flashpoint to the desired level: 

 (a) Preferred procedure. Defuel helicopter completely and refuel with JP5. Ships have limited ability to handle hazardous waste; therefore, this procedure should 

be done ashore prior to embarking on the ship. 

 (b) Alternate method. Helicopter should burn down to minimum fuel and 

refuel with JP-5 after landing (an alternate method for AAAS and CVN is to use the 

plane to plane transfer cart available on AAAS and CVN). 

 (c) Neither procedure is guaranteed to raise the flashpoint. The ship will 

take fuel samples and determine flashpoint prior to hangaring the helicopter. It may be 

necessary to repeat the procedures several times. 

 (2) Refueling Equipment. Not all helicopters are equipped with single point 

pressure refueling systems as in the Navy. Some of them rely upon CCR (gravity fueling 

with nozzle/tank fitting adapter to capture fumes) and/or open-port fueling to fill some or 

all of their fuel tanks. In addition, some of their aircraft cannot CCR fuel at pressures 

greater than 15 psi, whereas current Navy capability is to CCR at a minimum of 45 psi. 

 (3) Hot Refueling Aircraft with Ordnance. Aircraft with ordnance are not 

normally hot refueled onboard ships. When all required HERO precautions have been 

met, the ship’s CO may authorize ordnance-equipped helicopters to be hot refueled when 

required by operational necessity. 
Chapter III 

III-10 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
CHAPTER IV 

SUSTAINMENT 

IV-1 

1. General 

 a. Deck Handling/Maneuvering/Spotting. Space is very limited aboard ship, with 

aircraft required to share take-off, landing, and maintenance spots. Therefore, helicopters 

may need to be repositioned frequently and expeditiously, often on a windy, wet, and 

moving deck in close proximity to other aircraft and ship's structure. When not being 

repositioned, aircraft must be chained to the flight deck in order to prevent unintended 

movement due to wind and ship motion. Helicopter space requirements and ease of 

handling largely determine the number of aircraft that a ship can accommodate and, in 

turn, have a major impact upon the tempo and effectiveness of operations. 

 b. Helicopters designed for land operations typically require more space than 

helicopters designed for maritime operations. Most do not have automatic blade folding 

systems but do have limited manual blade fold capability to enable transportation aboard 

ship or aircraft. These manual fold systems are typically not designed for quick and easy 

folds, nor are they robust enough to withstand high winds. Damage to folded rotor 

systems can occur in less than 25 knots of relative wind. The landing gear geometry and 

towing systems of helicopters designed for land operations are not optimized for 

maneuvering in tight spaces. The aircraft TD points may not be designed to deal with the 

stresses associated with high winds and deck movement. Therefore, these helicopters 

may require special handling when maneuvering, spotting, and parking. 

 c. Personnel are trained to maneuver embarked maritime helicopters using the 

support equipment embarked. It may be necessary to alter established practices when 

using shipboard support equipment with helicopters designed for land operations because 

of both the helicopter's limitations and compatibilities with shipboard configurations. 

Embarked unit maintenance personnel should brief shipboard handlers on the appropriate 

procedures and established practices for handling their particular type/model/series of 

helicopter. Among the issues that should be addressed are: 

 (1) Towing systems: Which tow tractors and tow bars are compatible with, or 

acceptable for use with the embarking helicopter? 

 (2) Aircraft mooring/chaining system (aircraft physical security): location of 

the helicopter's TD points and how the helicopter is to be secured 

 (3) Blades folded mooring system limitations: other Service blade TD systems 

are designed to hold the blades for an air transport, not for heavy weather security 

“Is the proposed operation likely to succeed? What might the 

consequences of failure? Is it in the realm of practicability in terms of 

material and supplies?" 

- Admiral Chester W. Nimitz (1885-1965)
Chapter IV 

IV-2 JP 3-04 

 (4) Blade or tail fold provisions and requirements 

 (5) Blade removal requirements 

 (6) Special handling equipment 

Information on the above can be obtained from specific aircraft maintenance manuals 

but is more easily obtained by discussion with the unit at the presail conference. 

2. Maintenance Considerations 

 Conducting maintenance aboard ship is different from conducting maintenance in the 

field. Issues to consider include shipboard constraints, shipboard safety requirements, 

repairable items, consumable parts and supplies, calibration requirements, and the 

inherent maintenance capability of the ship. 

 a. General. Most shipboard helicopter maintenance must be conducted on the 

flight deck of the ship. Flight decks are exposed to the elements and are in constant 

motion due to changing sea states. As a result, helicopter maintenance can be extremely 

hazardous at all times, but especially at night, in inclement weather, or when flight 

operations are in progress. On multi-spot ships helicopter maintenance can be extremely 

difficult and/or hazardous during flight operations. Each class/type ship has different 

helicopter maintenance support capabilities and procedures. 

 

 b. Maintenance Facilities. Available aviation maintenance facilities vary widely 

with ship class. The NAEC-ENG-7576, Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume provides 

guidance regarding ACSs. Aircraft carriers and AAASs have extensive maintenance 

facilities, including an aircraft intermediate maintenance department (AIMD), which is 

capable of a wide range of functions. These functions include, but are not limited to, 

electronics repair, tire and wheel buildup, composite material repair, oxygen servicing, 

and inspection and repair of aircrew survival equipment. However, support for particular 

systems is not assured and should be determined in advance. JFCs are responsible for 

coordinating required maintenance infrastructure. 

 c. Aircraft Carrier Maintenance Capabilities. Although a great deal of 

helicopter maintenance may be performed on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, the 

large deck edge elevators, large hangar door openings, and large hangars make it 

relatively easy to move most helicopters to/from the hangar deck for maintenance. All 

Army helicopters may be moved from the flight deck to the hangar deck with blades 

spread (it should be noted that this is not the preferred method for ship’s personnel). 

Presail planning and/or coordination with the ship should determine specific helicopter 

certifications for elevator and hangar deck operations. The hangar deck is well lighted, 

protected from the elements, contains overhead hoists, and has support equipment 

available. 
Sustainment 

 IV-3 

 (1) Aircraft carriers have a robust AIMD that is capable of providing 3rd and 

4th echelon maintenance. The AIMD is capable of providing repairs for airframe 

structures, hydraulic systems, fuel cells, avionics/weapons systems, and corrosion 

control, as well as engine build-up and testing. 

 (2) Although the AIMD is designed to support Navy aircraft/helicopters their 

expertise may be of great benefit to an embarked unit especially in terms of corrosion 

control, airframes, hydraulics, and special tool fabrication. Additionally, aircraft carriers 

have spaces designed as maintenance workspaces. In the event that a helicopter unit will 

be embarked for an extended period of time, the embarked unit may want to augment the 

ship's AIMD with personnel expertise and/or test/calibration equipment. 

 d. AAAS Maintenance Capabilities. Large amphibious ships have the same type 

of maintenance capabilities as the aircraft carrier, although in a somewhat smaller 

package. AAASs have a smaller flight deck, smaller elevators, smaller hangar door 

openings, and smaller hangars than aircraft carriers. Much like the aircraft carrier, the 

hangar deck of the AAAS is well lighted, protected from the elements, contains overhead 

hoists, and has support equipment available. All heavy helicopter maintenance should be 

conducted on the hangar deck if possible. AAASs also have a robust AIMD with similar 

capabilities and expertise as aircraft carriers. 

 e. ACS Maintenance Capabilities. An embarking unit will find limited 

helicopter maintenance support available on these types of ships. Normally, the smaller 

classes of ships do not have maintenance spaces available and all maintenance is 

performed on the exposed flight deck. Hangars, if available, have been designed for 

specific organic helicopters and are extremely limited in size and capability. There is no 

AIMD onboard these type ships. Additionally, landing ship dock class ships should be 

augmented with a cadre of experienced, aviation rated naval personnel prior to 

conducting sustained, JSHO. 

f. Maintenance Procedures. Normal land-based helicopter maintenance 

procedures must be examined and, where required, modified for shipboard operations. 

As an example, extreme caution should be used when jacking a helicopter aboard ship. 

Even in calm seas a rapid turn by the ship could dislodge a jack and cause the helicopter 

to fall. Additionally, work around procedures for helicopters that possess avionics 

equipment that cannot be tested/calibrated on a moving platform will need to be 

addressed. Finally, as previously mentioned, most helicopter maintenance will be 

conducted on the exposed flight deck. Procedures for working on a wet helicopter in 

high winds and rough seas will need to be addressed. It is important to remember that all 

flight and hangar deck maintenance evolutions (movement, using deck edge power, using 

GSE, starting an auxiliary power unit, etc.) must be coordinated with and approved by the 

ship. The ship and the embarked unit should identify the personnel responsible for 

conducting maintenance coordination as soon as possible after embarkation. General 

POCs are listed in Figures II-1, II-2, and II-3. 
Chapter IV 

IV-4 JP 3-04 

 g. Post-Maintenance Check Flight (PMCF). PMCFs must be either scheduled 

on the daily air plan and unit flight schedule or coordinated between the embarked unit 

and the ship on an emergent basis. PMCFs are normally accomplished prior to the first 

launch, after the last launch, or between normal launch and recovery cycles. Due to the 

requirement to adhere to the air plan/flight schedule, aircrews conducting PMCF should 

be prepared to meet their requirements in the minimum time necessary while maintaining 

safe flight operations. 

 h. Corrosion Prevention and Control. The shipboard environment is inherently 

corrosive. Embarked aircraft will require cleaning and treatment for corrosion more 

frequently than shore-based aircraft. When at sea, embarked units must place special 

emphasis on the importance of a dynamic corrosion prevention and control program and 

ensure that it receives priority for timely accomplishment along with other required 

maintenance. The frequency and content of a program for inspecting, cleaning, corrosion 

control, and preservation of aircraft and support equipment should be established prior to 

commencing embarked operations. 

 i. Support Equipment. Each aviation capable ship will have an allotted 

individual material requirements list (IMRL) that lists the special tools, test equipment, 

and GSE available on that specific ship. Additionally, each aviation capable ship will 

have an aviation consolidated allowance list (AVCAL) that lists the aviation supply items 

carried on that specific ship. The IMRL and AVCAL are excellent resources to compare 

the ship’s special tools, equipment, and supplies to the embarking unit’s requirements to 

reduce the overall footprint of the embarking unit. 

 j. Aircraft Security. The weather at sea can be more severe than that normally 

encountered ashore. Ships frequently have relative winds greater than 45 knots across the 

flight deck. Also typical is the pitch and roll of the ship while at sea. High winds can 

cause damage to rotor blades, rotor heads, and rotor head components, especially if the 

rotor blades are not properly secured/tied-down. Severe pitch and roll can cause 

inadequately secured helicopters to slide on the deck and to hit other helicopters or the 

ship’s structures. 

 (1) The responsibility for the helicopter’s physical security rests with the 

embarked unit. Embarking units should coordinate with the ship to ensure sufficient 

Navy TD-1 TD chains are available to secure the unit’s aircraft. Army MB-1 mooring 

hardware is not compatible for shipboard use. Due to the harsh at-sea environment, 

constant monitoring of the security of the helicopter's rotor blades and the security of 

helicopter tie-down chains is required. To reduce the potential for a shipboard fire, all 

helicopters should be constantly monitored for fuel and other fluid leaks while aboard 

ship. The ship should require the embarked unit to provide an "aircraft integrity watch" 

when the ship is not at flight quarters to monitor helicopter security. It is important that 

personnel assigned to this watch are thoroughly instructed by the ship on the procedures 

and responsibilities associated with their position. 
Sustainment 

 IV-5 

 (2) The aircraft integrity watch is responsible for the security of all aircraft and 

equipment on the flight deck and hangar bays. The individual watch stander should 

routinely check each aircraft to ensure that it is not leaking petroleum, oils, and lubricants 

(POL) on the deck and is properly secured (airframe chained to the deck and rotor blades 

tied down). 

 k. Safety. The ship's safety orientation and flight deck safety briefs and the 

embarked unit helicopter familiarization brief should be given prior to start of flight 

operations. 

 (1) Helicopter maintenance onboard ship can be very hazardous. Performing 

maintenance on a rotor head, on the flight deck, at night, in a 25-knot wind, in rain, on a 

pitching and rolling ship is extremely hazardous. Proper flight deck safety equipment, 

using the "buddy" system, adequate supervision, and safety observers will all aid in 

reducing risks. Procedures for shipboard maintenance should be addressed and 

established in advance. 

 (2) Maintenance personnel should be provided and should wear proper flight 

deck safety equipment. While working on the flight deck maintenance personnel should 

wear floatation equipment, head protection, hearing protection, and eye protection. The 

embarking unit should not rely on the ship to provide this equipment but should bring it 

with them. 

3. Other Logistics and Personnel Service Considerations 

 a. Background. The purpose of this section is to outline general procedures for 

providing material support for helicopter units assigned to joint operations. The scope 

and details of the implementation of these procedures are highly dependent on the 

duration and circumstances of a particular exercise or mission. A short-duration 

detachment will usually draw the bulk of its supply material from a parent-Serviceprovided packup kit. Resupply of drawn material will occur on an as-needed basis. 

Material support for detachments of longer duration will be better served by establishing 

an independent unit identity, especially when shipboard operations will be conducted 

outside the umbrella of the parent-Service support infrastructure. Establishment of 

independent unit identity will provide the most flexible support if a helicopter detachment 

is to relocate from ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore. It is recommended that the detachment 

bring as many consumable items as possible. (See Figure IV-1.) 

 b. Funding. The parent organization of a helicopter detachment is responsible for 

funding the expenses associated with aircraft maintenance and operation. A ship’s CO is 

responsible for funding shipboard operating and maintenance costs from the operating 

target allowance. Unless specified, funding will be provided by the parent organization 

or groups performing travel under joint travel regulations. Units required to purchase 

supplies or fuel from ships’ stores will be required to provide appropriate accounting 

data. 
Chapter IV 

IV-6 JP 3-04 

 c. Meals. Shipboard meals for officers are normally handled by an independent 

fund to which individual officers contribute. Officers can expect to pay directly or be 

billed for meals consumed. Enlisted members eat in a dining facility operated by the 

ship’s SUPPO and funded from the ration allowances of the members. Orders for 

enlisted members should reflect rations in kind for the duration of shipboard 

embarkation. Coast Guard cutters will treat meals provided to detachment personnel as 

reimbursable issues and submit forms DD Form-1149, Requisition and Invoice/Shipping 

Document IAW COMDTINST M4061.3, Subsistence Manual. 

 d. Supply Requisitions. The ship’s SUPPO can provide assistance in preparing 

and transmitting properly formatted supply requisitions into the system; however, the 

helicopter detachment unit is responsible for providing the technical, identification, and 

funding data for the required material. 

 e. Cargo Routing. Procedures to ship material to units deployed worldwide exist 

within the Defense Transportation System and are contained in Defense Transportation 

Regulation. The shipper’s service control office (SSCO) for all US Navy units is the 

Navy Material Transportation Office (NAVMTO) in Norfolk, Virginia. NAVMTO 

maintains a cargo routing information file (CRIF) that contains up-to-date information on 

how to route material to covered mobile units. Detachments possessing individual unit 

identification codes and desiring to avail themselves of this service should make 

arrangements with NAVMTO and their parent SSCO to be included in the CRIF. The 

appropriate ships’ personnel will keep NAVMTO and other responsible SSCOs apprised 

of consignment instructions for embarked detachments. Alternatively, material for an 

embarked detachment may be consigned to the host ship. Detachments operating from 

Coast Guard cutters should contact the cutter’s SUPPO before deployment to coordinate 

cargo routing. 

 f. Aviation Fuel. If reimbursement is required, helicopter detachments will 

reimburse ships for aviation fuel at the established DOD price. Selected ships may be 

capable of processing a DOD fuel identification plate; however, use of a DD Form-1348, 

DOD Single Line Item Requisition System Document (Manual) form is more common. 

For continuing operations, fuel may be billed on the 10th, 20th, and last day of the month 

to coincide with ship’s fuel usage reports. Because many ships are not equipped with 

meters, aircrew should be prepared to determine the quantity delivered, in pounds, using 

aircraft fuel gauges. 

 g. Hazardous and Flammable Material. The embarked unit shall coordinate all 

HAZMAT requirements with the ship’s SUPPO prior to deployment. The embarked unit 

is responsible for ensuring their required HAZMAT, and corresponding material safety 

data sheets is requisitioned and loaded. The ability to procure required HAZMAT on 

deployment is very limited. All HAZMAT must be approved for shipboard use. There is 

typically limited shipboard storage for HAZMAT aboard all vessels. Stowage and 

disposal will be IAW current directives provided by the host activity. 
Sustainment 

 IV-7 

 h. Ammunition

 (1) Parent Service Issuing Activities. Parent service ammunition issuing 

activities will ensure that only authorized and fully serviceable ammunition is issued. 

Ammunition items issued will be complete as identified by a NSN, DODIC or NALC as 

well as applicable lot or SNs. Refer to NAVSEA OP 4, Ammunition and Explosives 

Safety Afloat, for further guidance. Ammunition or components without DODICs or 

NALCs will not be issued to, or embarked on, USN/USCG ships. 

 (2) Shipment of Explosives. Ammunition or other HAZMAT to be shipped to 

ships by a DOD component or a common (commercial) carrier will be packed, marked, 

and labeled IAW NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010, Transportation and Storage Data for 

Ammunition, Explosives, and Related Hazardous Materials, and NAVSEA SW020-AGSAF-010, Navy Transportation Safety Handbook for Ammunition, Explosives, and Other 

Related Hazardous Materials, or appropriate DOD or US Transportation Command 

HAZMAT regulations for rail, motor vehicle, water, or air shipment. 

 (3) Allowance Lists. Ammunition requirements for units afloat are established 

to provide a basic authorization by quantity and type to suit the applicable mission and 

armament of the unit. Normally, these authorizations are in the form of allowance lists. 

 (4) Mission Load/Shipfill Ammunition Allowances. The mission load 

ammunition allowance is a CNO approved allowance of ammunition carried by aircraft 

carriers or AAASs in support of embarked units such as a CVW or ACE. The shipfill 

ammunition allowance supports the ship’s armament, embarked helicopter(s) and 

embarked helicopter detachments. 

 (5) Replenishment. Embarked helicopter ammunition must be replenished by 

aerial on-board delivery or by pierside onload. Navy ammunition will not be issued to 

the embarked helicopter detachment without the approval of the CNO. 

 (6) Army Ordnance Replenishment. Army A/E packaging has not been tested 

and approved by the Navy Packaging, Handling, Shipping and Transportation Center for 

underway replenishment. Due to this safety risk, all Army A/E will be loaded pierside or 

transferred aboard as internal aircraft cargo. Army A/E will arrive onboard Navy ships in 

their standard packaging configurations. When aircraft are used to deliver Army A/E to 

Navy ships, the aircrew will download the internally loaded A/E and the host ship shall 

transport the A/E to below deck magazines using ship’s armament weapons system 

equipment. 

 i. Mail. The military postal service is a method for delivery of moderate-sized 

parts and supplies as well as personal and official mail. Helicopter detachments may 

obtain a mobile unit Army post office or fleet post office address from the US Military 

Postal Service Agency, Washington, DC, IAW the DOD 4525.6-M, Department of 

Defense Postal Manual. Establishment of an address and ZIP code is required 
Chapter IV 

IV-8 JP 3-04 

approximately 60 days in advance. Ships will update mail routing instructions for 

embarked detachments. 

LOGISTIC CONSIDERATIONS

Funding

Meals

Supplies

Aviation

Fuel

R

Cargo

outing

Hazardous and

Flammable

Material

Ammunition

Aircraft

Maintenance

Mail

Figure IV-1. Logistic Considerations
APPENDIX A 

SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER OPERATIONS PUBLICATIONS 

A-1 

The following sources of information, procedures, and guidance support JSHO: 

1. Naval Air Engineering Center – Engineering (NAEC-ENG)-7576, Shipboard 

Aviation Facilities Resume. This annually updated Navy publication lists every ship with 

a flight deck and in each case lists aircraft certified to operate on its deck, describes the 

services available, provides ship's certification levels, and provides a diagram of the 

flight deck including obstacles. The resume does not provide particulars on the 

incompatibilities that determine a particular certification level. 

 Aviation Facilities Team Lead 

 Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division 

 Code 4.8.2.5 

 Highway 547 

 Lakehurst, NJ 08733-5052 

For assistance in answering questions relating to shipboard aviation facilities, call the 

Shipboard Aviation Facility Hotline Action Desk at Defense Switched Network (DSN): 

624- 2592/Commercial: (732) 323-2592. 

2. Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) 

Manuals. Distribution of these publications produced by NAVAIR are established by the 

automatic distribution requirements list maintained by Naval Air Technical Data and 

Engineering Service Command, in San Diego, CA. For assistance contact: 

 Commanding Officer, Naval Air Technical Data and Engineering Service Command 

 Naval Aviation Depot North Island 

 Bldg. 90, Code 3.3A 

 P.O. Box 357031 

 San Diego, CA 92135-7031 

These publications can be obtained on-line at https://www.natec.navy.mil

a. NAVAIR 00-80T-105, CV NATOPS Manual. This manual covers 

predeployment training requirements, flight operations, and aircraft handling procedures, 

ordnance, and deck handling procedures used aboard aircraft carriers. 

b. NAVAIR 00-80T-106, LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual. This manual contains 

information and procedures for the operation and support of aircraft on and in the vicinity 

of LHA and LHD class ships. 

c. NAVAIR 00-80T-109, Aircraft Refueling NATOPS Manual. This manual 

provides technical requirements and operating procedures for ready-issue (retail) aviation 

fuel operations aboard ship, at shore activities, and in tactical units. 

d. NAVAIR 00-80T-122, Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air-Capable 

Ships NATOPS Manual. This manual contains information on all aircraft systems, 
Appendix A 

A-2 JP 3-04 

performance data, and operating procedures required for safe and effective operations. 

The information within this manual is intended to assist staffs, ship CO, squadron CO, 

helicopter squadron/detachment personnel, and ship personnel in all aspects of effective 

helicopter operations on ACSs. 

3. COMDTINST M3710.2, Shipboard-Helicopter Operational Procedures Manual. 

This manual provides the primary source of information for the utilization of the 

shipboard-helicopter team on all Coast Guard missions. The manual contains specific 

direction and guidance, and serves as a reference to other pertinent directives and 

publications. Questions pertaining to this manual should be referred to: 

 Commandant 

 United States Coast Guard 

 Staff Symbol: CG-711 

 2100 Second Street SW 

 Washington, DC 20593-0001 

 Commercial: (202) 372-2201 

4. FM 1-564, Shipboard Operations. This manual outlines Army procedures for 

shipboard helicopter operations. The manual is used to coordinate, plan, execute, and 

teach shipboard operations. Along with Navy publications, it provides information for 

developing a standardized, progressive program to train crews to proficiency on 

shipboard operations. The proponent of FM-1-564, Shipboard Operations, is 

Headquarters (HQ) US Army Training and Doctrine Command and available from the 

US Army publications agency at http://www.usapa.army.mil. User must have an Army 

knowledge on-line account to access. 

5. Ordnance Manuals

Ordnance compatibility information from Commander NAVSEA: 

 Commanding Officer, Naval Ordnance Safety and Security Activity 

 3817 Strauss Avenue 

 Indian Head, MD 20640-5151 

 Commercial: (301)744-6095. 

Toll Free "One Touch" Support for the Fleet: 1-877-4-1-TOUCH or 1-877-418-6824 

Distance Support Anchor Desk. This number is exclusively provided for service members 

to receive "one-touch" support via a single toll free number. 

a. NAVSEA OP 4, Ammunition and Explosives Safety Afloat. Contains the 

minimum safety requirements and regulations for the handling and stowage of AE as well 

as related test, assembly and maintenance. NAVSEA OP 4 also identifies the NAVAIR 

promulgated Army/Air Force conventional weapons checklists for those weapons and 

type model series aircraft authorized for shipboard operations. 
Shipboard Helicopter Operations Publications 

 A-3 

b. NAVSEA OP 3565 Volume 2, Electromagnetic Radiation Hazards to 

Ordnance. This manual identifies the RF restrictions and precautions required to be 

imposed on ordnance designed with EED/EID. 

c. NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010, Transportation and Storage Data for 

Ammunition, Explosives and Related Hazardous Materials. Includes CNO/WSESRB 

approved Army/Air Force ordnance packaging and explosive storage data. 

6. Memorandum of Understanding Between The Department of the Navy and The 

Departments of the Army and The Air Force, Army/Air Force Deck Landing 

Qualification, January 2002. Provides Department of the Navy, Department of the 

Army, and Department of the Air Force policy and procedures for Army and Air Force 

rotorcraft deck landing training and qualification. Available through Chief of Naval 

Operations Head Aviation Manpower and Training (N789). 

7. Multinational Publications. Multinational publications are used when supporting 

NATO and coalition helicopter cross-deck operations. Publications are available by 

contacting the Navy Warfare Development Command: 

 Commander 

 Navy Warfare Development Command 

 N573 - Sims Hall 

 686 Cushing Road 

 Newport, RI 02891-1207 

 Commercial: (401) 841-6412, DSN 948-6412 

 Email: fleetpubs@nwdc.navy.mil 

a. Allied Procedural Publication (APP)-2(F)/Maritime Procedural Publication 

(MPP) 2(F) Volume I, Helicopter Operations From Ships Other Than Aircraft 

Carriers (HOSTAC) (Maritime VSTOL Data Included). This manual provides 

procedures to cross operate safely and efficiently with NATO and coalition partners. This 

publication contains regional specific guidance as well as national cross-deck procedures. 

b. APP 2(F)/MPP 2(F) Volume II, Helicopter Operations From Ships Other 

Than Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC) Technical Supplement. This manual provides 

technical information on helicopter types and as well as national flight deck information. 

The data for the US ships is derived directly from the NAEC-ENG-7576, Shipboard 

Aviation Facilities Resume. This publication contains the ship/helicopter interoperability 

matrix 

c. APP 2(F)/MPP 2(F) Volume II PG, Helicopter Operations From Ships Other 

Than Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC) Technical Supplement Pocket Guide. Designed 

specifically for aircrew, this manual provides national flight deck information. 
Appendix A 

A-4 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
APPENDIX B 

SAMPLE FORMATS 

B-1 

Sample formats are included as shown below: 

 Annex A Sample Letter of Instruction 

 B Sample Currency Waiver Request Format 

 C Sample Waiver Request Format (For Other than Currency Requirements) 
Appendix B 

B-2 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
ANNEX A to APPENDIX B 

SAMPLE LETTER OF INSTRUCTION 

B-A-1 

(May be published via message) 

3120 

Ser 

From: Commander, US (Numbered) Fleet 

To: Commanding Officer, USS (ship) 

Commander, (USA/USAF 

Aviation unit) 

Subj: LETTER OF INSTRUCTION (LOI) 

Ref: (a) [EMPLOYMENT SCHEDULE] / Fleet Approval 

(b) JP 3-04, Joint Shipboard Helicopter Operations

(c) MOU between the DON and DOA/DOAF, Army/Air Force Deck Landing 

Qualification, January 2002 

(d) NAVAIR 00-80T-109, Aircraft Refueling NATOPS Manual 

(e) MOU among Army/Air Force/Navy/Marine Corps/Coast Guard Safety 

Centers “Safety Investigation and Reporting of Joint Service Mishaps” 

1. Summary. This LOI describes the concept of operations and assigns responsibility for 

Commanding Officer, USS __________ and assigned detachment from [US Army 

Command/US Air Force MAJCOM] for deck landing qualification (DLQ) training 

exercises. This LOI is effective for planning for day/night VFR operations. 

2. Mission. USS __________ will provide underway platform services in the conduct of 

DLQ training exercises (reference (a)). Individual ship routine and exercises may be 

conducted consistent with attainment of DLQ training goals, safety, and operational 

security. 

3. Concept of Operations. A detachment of helicopters from the Army/Air Force will 

conduct a series of DLQ training exercises consisting of day/night VFR landings on the 

flight deck, per references (b) through (e). 

4. Command Relationships and Responsibilities 

a. Approval to conduct US Army/US Air Force aircraft operations on US Navy 

and Military Sealift Command ships must be granted by [FLT CDR]. [Numbered Fleet 

Commander] will initiate the request and inform all units concerned. 

b. Commander, (Numbered Fleet) is the Officer-Scheduling-the-Exercise (OSE). 

c. Commanding Officer, USS __________ is assigned Officer-in-TacticalCommand (OTC) for scheduled DLQ training exercises and will coordinate with 

area/shore commands for appropriate OPAREA clearances. The host ship can provide 

limited administrative, logistics, material, maintenance and repair support. The OTC will 

ensure a flight deck safety/indoctrination brief is provided to Army/Air Force aircrews 

prior to the scheduled operations. The OTC will ensure the wind envelopes for the 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-2 JP 3-04 

participating aircraft are available to the HCO and the Army/Air Force unit conducting 

the DLQ’s. 

d. Officer-in-Charge of the [helicopter detachment] is assigned as the OfficerConducting-the-Exercise (OCE) and is directed to conduct vigorous training exercises, 

pre-exercise training and planning, and to convene a presail conference briefing for major 

participants. The OCE will ensure prerequisites for shipboard helicopter operations are 

satisfied, will coordinate and supervise training exercises as they pertain to the helicopter 

unit, and will conduct appropriate preflight briefs. 

5. Embarked Unit’s Shipboard Helicopter Operations Prerequisites

a. Training requirements and personnel qualifications to conduct deck landing 

operations (references (b) and (c)) will be attained prior to actual helicopter DLQ training 

exercises. 

b. The helicopter detachment will initiate coordination for a DLQ presail 

conference approximately four weeks prior to the actual operation. A sample DLQ 

presail conference checklist is provided in reference (c). 

c. The helicopter detachment should provide a qualified aviation officer on board 

ship for liaison between the ship and helicopter aircrews during DLQ. 

d. The liaison officer will provide diagrams of pertinent aircraft depicting aircraft 

egress, fuel cell locations, and tie down points for the HCO and crash/fire crew during the 

DLQ pre-sail conference. 

e. Aircrew personnel will brief flight deck/fire party personnel on helicopter 

orientation/safety requirements, which may include a walk through of the aircraft. 

f. The aircraft scheduled for DLQ training should meet the shipboard aviation fuel 

safety requirements set forth by the Navy (reference (d)). Aircraft shutting down aboard 

the ship with other than JP-5 shall notify the first available ship’s controlling authority 

prior to recovery. 

g. Supported units shall be familiar with pertinent shipboard aviation manuals: 

(1) NAEC-ENG-7576, Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume. 

(2) Sections of NAVAIR 00-80T-122, Helicopter Operating Procedures 

for Air-Capable Ships, pertaining to launch/recovery procedures, air traffic control, 

aviation fueling and general helicopter operations. 

(3) Sections of NAVAIR 00-80T-106, LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual, 

pertaining to launch/recovery procedures, air traffic control, aviation fueling and general 

helicopter operations. 
Sample Letter of Instruction 

B-A-3 

(4) Sections of NAVAIR 00-80T-105, CV NATOPS Manual pertaining to 

launch/recovery procedures, air traffic control, aviation fueling and general flight 

operations. 

h. Field deck landing patterns (FDLPs) can be accomplished at any facility that 

suitably replicates shipboard deck markings. FDLP may also be conducted in approved 

flight simulators. 

6. Administrative/Logistics. The Army/Air Force OCE is responsible for coordinating 

and arranging shore based administrative and logistics support. 

7. Safety Reports. Actions to be taken in the event of aircraft mishap/incident will be per 

OPNAVINST 3750.6, The Naval Aviation Safety Program and the memorandum of 

understanding among the services Safety Centers (reference (e)). Initial message 

notification of aircraft mishap/incident will include as an information addressee, the US 

Army Headquarters: CSA WASHINGTON DC//DAMOTRI// or US Air Force 

Headquarters: HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOO//, as appropriate. 

//signed// 

Operations Officer, Numbered 

Fleet Staff 

Copy to: 

GROUP 

SQUADRON 

Participating Army/Air Force Unit(s) 
Annex A to Appendix B 

B-A-4 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
ANNEX B to APPENDIX B 

SAMPLE CURRENCY WAIVER REQUEST FORMAT* 

B-B-1 

FROM (Air Force/Army originator) 

TO For Air Force originator: 

HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOOS// (Thru appropriate channels) 

 For Army originator: 

CSA WASHINGTON DC//DAMO-TRS// (Thru appropriate channels) 

INFO US Numbered Fleet (Joint Force Commander) 

(Joint Force Navy Component Commander) 

(other appropriate agencies) 

(Classification) //N03000// 

MSGID/GENADMIN/(ORIGINATING COMMAND)/(OFFICE SYMBOL)// 

SUBJ/DECK LANDING QUALIFICATION CURRENCY WAIVER REQUEST// 

REF/A/PUB/JOINT PUB 3-04// 

AMPN/JOINT SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER OPERATIONS// 

REF/B/MOU/ARMY AIR FORCE DECK LANDING OPERATIONS, JAN 02// 

AMPN/MOU WITH NAVY FOR SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER OPERATIONS// 

RMKS/ 

1. ( ) IAW REF A, REQUIRE DLQ CURRENCY WAIVER FOR (specify—

day/night/NVG) QUALIFICATIONS 

2. ( ) QUALIFICATION EXPIRED ON (date) DUE TO (reasons) 

3. ( ) NO OTHER OPTIONS TO REQUALIFY EXIST WITHIN CURRENT TIME 

CONSTRAINTS. (i.e., using USN, USMC, or other Service unit IPs) 

4. ( ) FOL INFO PROV: 

 A. (name/rank) 

 B. TOT HRS (insert #) 

 C. TOT NVD HRS (insert #) (if applicable) 

 D. TOT SHIP LDNGS (insert #) 

 E. TOT NVD SHIP LDNGS (insert #) 

* Note. Waiver requests are handled on a case-by-case basis between USN US 

Numbered Fleet and the USA (DAMO-TRS) or USAF (XOOS) based on MOU between 

the Departments of the Navy, Air Force, and Army titled “Army/Air Force Deck Landing 

Operations,” January 2002. 
Annex B to Appendix B 

B-B-2 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
ANNEX C to APPENDIX B 

SAMPLE WAIVER REQUEST FORMAT* 

 B-C-1 

(For Other than Currency Requirements) 

FROM (Air Force/Army originator) 

TO For Air Force originator: 

HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC//XOOS// (Thru appropriate channels) 

 For Army originator: CSA WASHINGTON DC//DAMO-TRS// (Thru appropriate 

channels) 

INFO US Numbered Fleet 

(Joint Force Commander) 

(Joint Force Navy Component Commander) 

(other appropriate agencies) 

(Classification) //N03000// 

MSGID/GENADMIN/(ORIGINATING COMMAND)/(OFFICE SYMBOL)// 

SUBJ/ (specify) WAIVER REQUEST// REF/A/PUB/JOINT PUB 3-04// 

AMPN/JOINT SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER OPERATIONS// 

REF/B/MOU/ARMY AIR FORCE DECK LANDING OPERATIONS, JAN 02// 

AMPN/MOU WITH NAVY FOR SHIPBOARD HELICOPTER OPERATIONS// 

RMKS/ 

1. ( ) (specify waiver requested) 

2. ( ) (specify reason for waiver request) 

3. ( ) (provide data to support request) 

* Note. Waiver requests are handled on a case-by-case basis between USN US 

Numbered Fleet and the USA (DAMO-TRS) or USAF (XOOS) based on MOU 

between the Departments of the Navy, Air Force, and Army titled “Army/Air 

Force Deck Landing Operations,” January 2002. 
Annex C to Appendix B 

B-C-2 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
APPENDIX C 

PREDEPLOYMENT PLANNING CHECKLISTS 

C-1 

1. General 

Cooperation is a key element to all joint operations. It is essential to discuss 

integration issues prior to conducting JSHO. When ship and helicopter units are notified 

about an upcoming shipboard mission, participants should begin coordinating the 

specifics of their requirements. 

2. Predeployment Planning Conference 

 a. General. The naval surface community schedules a presail conference during 

the early stages of deployment planning involving an embarked unit. The presail 

conference is an essential part of the pre-operational compatibility analysis, as it provides 

key personnel of the participating units with a formal forum to address the concept of 

upcoming operations at sea as well as procedural and safety issues. 

 (1) The predeployment planning conference should be scheduled no less than 

six weeks prior to embarkation/deployment. The number and expertise of both 

embarking unit and ship’s company attendees should be sufficient to fully address 

specific C2, operational, aircraft maintenance, supply/logistics, ordnance, and 

administrative requirements needed to plan the joint operation. Temporary additional 

duty (TAD)/temporary duty (TDY) funding spent here will significantly enhance 

preparation, planning, and ultimate success of the joint deployment aboard ship. 

 (2) Ensure all units involved in the upcoming joint ship/helicopter operations 

are invited, paying particular attention to divisional/departmental responsibilities so that 

representatives can meet their respective counterparts at the conference. 

 (3) Determine/arrange for a central conference room/area (normally the ship’s 

wardroom aboard the host ship). 

 (4) Publish a POC/counterpart listing (phone number/email) as early as 

possible. 

 (5) Develop agenda and promulgate to all commands/units prior to the 

conference. 

 (6) Determine the casualty care response 

 (a) Pre-staged medical supplies (blowout kits) 

 (b) Casualty care training 

 (c) Casualty movement to higher capability of care 

 (7) Plan for the conference to take all day. 
Appendix C 

C-2 JP 3-04 

 (8) The issues in paragraph b thru i. below should be addressed during the 

predeployment planning conference and/or follow-on discussions/visits between the 

embarking unit and ship personnel. 

 b. Host ship’s administrative considerations

 (1) Number, rank, and gender of embarking unit/staffs’ officer/enlisted for 

billeting requirements. 

 (2) Identify possible administrative, operations/planning, aircraft maintenance 

workspaces, and ready room locations (Do a walk-through of these spaces with 

embarking unit before their representatives depart the ship). 

 (3) Identify officer and enlisted mess bill arrangements. 

 (4) Determine secure space requirements for classified equipment/material 

stowage. 

 (5) Determine stowage requirements/security for personal mission equipment 

(backpacks, special equipment, personal weapons, and computers). 

 (6) Determine transportation/logistical arrangements of personnel/equipment 

coming to ship, the cube/weight of equipment to be loaded aboard, the pier-side loading 

required, and the estimated time of arrival of advance equipment. 

 (7) Develop preliminary embarkation/debarkation load plans with embarking 

unit to include administrative support items, classified material, and security for same. 

 (8) Develop computer, local area network, and telephone support requirements 

for assigned ship’s spaces. 

 (9) Arrange for and schedule "ship orientation briefing" and "safety briefing" 

for all embarking personnel immediately upon arrival at ship to include general ship 

compartment layout/location, general safety aboard ship; and shipboard drills such as 

GQ, man overboard, fire, and flooding. 

 (10) Discuss possible TAD/TDY requirements aboard ship (mess 

duties/laundry/etc.). 

 c. Health Service Support (HSS) Requirements. Determine the possible HSS 

requirements. 

 d. Host Ship Flight Operations

 (1) Determine concept of joint operations and mission requirements. 
Predeployment Planning Checklists 

 C-3 

 (2) Determine structure of joint shipboard helicopter organization and establish 

POCs. 

 (3) Determine number, type, capabilities and operating restrictions (wind 

launch /recovery limits, bladefold, no rotorbrakes, etc.) of helicopter to be embarked. 

 (4) Determine ordnance and fuel requirements for embarking helicopters. 

 (5) Brief ship’s communications and navigation equipment. Are embarking 

unit’s communications capabilities compatible with the ship’s capabilities? 

 (6) Brief the air plan development process (with examples of "typical" day’s 

flight schedule). How is the air plan developed with input from embarking unit/staff? 

 (7) Discuss ship’s "overhead message." What does it contain? How does the 

embarking unit get this message when ashore prior to the fly aboard? 

 (8) "Check-in report"--required with ship’s "center"/"strike" 50 miles out (to 

inform ship of cargo or personnel to be off-loaded during the fly-aboard). 

 (9) Determine fly-aboard sequence and download evolution of equipment/ 

personnel/ordnance. 

 (10) Discuss the following items: 

 (a) Radio communications interoperability of UHF, very high frequency, 

secure voice, identification, friend or foe squawks. 

 (b) Navigation capabilities (non-TACAN equipped, GPS equipped, etc.) of 

embarking helicopter. 

 (c) Helicopter fuel endurance/standard fuel loads/type fuel (JP-4/JP-8 

status/flash point when flying aboard). 

 (d) Load-carrying capability (troops/cargo/VERTREP). 

 (e) Standard ordnance loads/special mission ordnance loads. 

 (f) Determine embarking unit pilot shipboard experience and DLQ 

(day/night) and NVD training requirements. 

 (g) Identify briefing requirements needed from host ship (weather, 

intelligence, radio frequencies, call signs, instrument flight rules (IFR) recovery 

operations, etc.) for daily operational aircrew briefings. 
Appendix C 

C-4 JP 3-04 

 (h) Identify SAR support requirements needed and assets available (surface 

and helicopter) to support JSHO. 

 (i) Disseminate concept of helicopter launch cycles, types of ordnance to 

be carried/employed, ordnance and troop load plan for air plan development. Ensure the 

ship’s ordnance handling officer/CCO/combat systems officer attend. 

 (j) Identify pierside service requirements for both embarkation and 

debarkation. Predeployment troop or equipment loading requirements (both on flight 

deck fly-aboard and at pierside before ship departs, i.e., what pierside services will be 

needed to accomplish onload/off load (cranes/forklifts?). How should equipment be 

packaged (containers, pallets, etc.)? 

 (k) Identify mission support equipment requirements (communications and 

intelligence); compatibility/interoperability of same. 

 (l) Disseminate ready room assignments (visit/inspect spaces). 

 (m) Brief flight manuals (operators manual for embarking type helicopters 

provided to host ship (PRIFLY and operations). 

 e. Ship’s Air Department. The ship’s air department should address the following 

items: 

 (1) Air department organizational structure and personnel responsibilities. 

 (2) Work stations/color codes of flight deck jerseys, general flight deck layout 

of type/class host ship (dimensions, flight deck lighting (NVD compatible?), landing spot 

locations and markings, elevators, ordnance arming spots, location of "bomb farm," 

location of ordnance elevators, etc. 

 (3) General flight deck positioning of helicopter and support equipment during 

flight operations (e.g., large helicopter aft, medium and light helicopter forward). 

 (4) General flight deck procedures and safety awareness (FOD, rotorwash, 

etc.). 

 (5) PMCFs and general maintenance arrangements POCs. 

 (6) General time sequence for launch/recovery (aircrew man-up, start engines, 

etc.). 

 (7) Sounding of "flight quarters" (what happens?). Discuss "flight quarters for 

aircraft movement only." Emphasis on plane captains/crew chiefs manning 

cockpits/brakes for moves and safety when moving aircraft. 
Predeployment Planning Checklists 

 C-5 

 (8) FOD walkdown (stress all hands involvement). 

 (9) Manning cockpits and LSE on launch spot (expected minutes) prior to 

launch? 

 (10) Signal to start (LSE or pilot initiated). 

 (11) Start engines/rotors signal (wind limits for rotor engagement for type 

helicopter embarked). 

 (12) Troop Loading (Where will troops be staged? Who escorts the lines of 

troops ("sticks") to helicopter?)(Combat cargo coordination required). 

 (13) Weapons arming (aviation ordnance loading [including hot/cold tube 

loading of rockets], arming, de-arming, downloading and related aircraft 

maintenance/refueling limitations). 

 (14) Break down (unchaining of helicopter-pilot signal: "ready"-thumbs up to 

LSE or calls "ready" to boss). 

 (15) Launching (desired launch sequence, wind-over-deck (WOD) requirements 

for launch). 

 (16) Departure radio call expected ("Fuel to splash and souls on board?"). 

 (17) In-flight emergencies/IFR recovery procedures. 

 (18) General landing procedures. 

 (19) Landing patterns (day/night/NVD). 

 (20) WOD limits for recovery (general wind envelope). 

 (21) Aircraft position on spot expected (nose on the "crow’s foot?"). 

 (22) WOD limits for helicopter rotor shutdown and bladefold? 

 (23) Embarked helicopters with rotorbrakes. Which do not have rotor breaks? 

 (24) Special aircraft handling equipment requirements, is the embarking unit 

bringing these items aboard? 

 (25) Helicopter TD procedures (TD points). Who has TD chains? Embarked 

unit brings? 
Appendix C 

C-6 JP 3-04 

 (26) Ordnance de-arm/hung ordnance procedures and hung ordnance flight 

pattern. 

 (27) Crash/salvage procedures and required lift slings for non-Navy helicopters. 

 (28) Integrity watch/aircraft security requirements and responsibilities. 

f. Discussion points for embarking unit 

 (1) What is embarking unit’s organizational structure and who are ship’s points 

of contact? 

 (2) Who is embarked unit’s designated flight deck maintenance representative/ 

liaison contact for air department? 

 (3) Are there unique aircraft handling characteristics and handling equipment 

required for specific types of helicopters to be embarked (tiller/guide bar for H-47, 

handling wheels for skid type, etc.) to be addressed to air department? 

 (4) Who supplies what support equipment (GSE, TD chains)? 

 (5) Fueling ports and TD points known to host ship air department? 

 (6) Type of fuel available on host ship? JP-5? 

 (7) Are alternate fueling procedures (gravity refueling) and equipment 

(Wiggins fitting) available for refueling? 

 (8) What type of shipboard defueling capability exists? Is it compatible with 

your helicopter? 

 (9) What helicopter heavy weather TD equipment (blade TDs, blade supports, 

etc.) are needed for heavy weather/high winds for flight deck (45 knots plus)? 

 (10) Does air department know type helicopter pilot/crew positions, type 

helicopter rescue procedures, engine shutdown levers, battery location, ordnance 

locations/type ordnance, (termed “crash and smash brief”- normally done immediately 

after fly aboard)? 

 (11) Does embarking helicopter have a maximum (never exceed) fuel pressure 

limitation (ship fueling station normally fuels at 55 psi)? Is ship’s fueling system 

compatible (fuel nozzle, fuel pressure, defueling system)? 

 (12) Identify all ordnance that requires loading onto the host ship to meet the 

mission assignment. This ordnance must be preapproved by the WSESRB prior to 
Predeployment Planning Checklists 

 C-7 

ammunition on-load. When and where will the ammunition be on-loaded? Where should 

the ammunition be shipped to for follow-on load on the host ship? 

 (13) Does ship’s flight deck have NVD compatible lighting and qualified LSEs 

to accomplish NVD operations? 

 (14) How will the weapons department be advised of air plan aviation ordnance 

requirements? Where will aviation ordnance be staged on the flight deck? How much 

staging lead time can be provided to facilitate aircraft loading? Where will expendable 

countermeasures be pre-loaded? What procedures must be followed for rocket cold/hot 

tube loading? What ammunition accountability procedures will be utilized? 

 g. Shipboard aircraft maintenance 

 (1) What are the aircraft maintenance capabilities of the host ship? 

 (2) Does it have an AIMD (to accomplish higher than squadron/company level 

maintenance)? 

 (3) Does this type/class ship normally operate similar type helicopters? 

 (4) Does host ship’s supply department stock aviation supplies (called 

"AVCAL"--aviation consolidated allowance list)? These supplies (also listed by NSN) 

can be compared to your deployment needs. An embarking supply representative must 

verify this at the planning conference and before deployment. (Note: This AVCAL may 

change prior to deployment due to air wing and type aircraft fleet needs.) 

 (5) What special technical test equipment is needed to support your helicopter 

(electronic test equipment, ordnance equipment particular to type helicopter, etc.) that 

will not be found aboard ship? 

 (6) Where will the embarking unit safely stow the myriad of equipment you 

will either self-lift to the ship or load aboard at the pier? 

 (7) Where are the embarking unit's assigned maintenance spaces aboard ship 

(take the time to look at these spaces before you leave the ship while on your visit)? 

 (8) What department/individual needs to know if heavy/critical maintenance is 

to be performed? (Example: The raising of aircraft up on jack stands to facilitate 

maintenance should be relayed to the ship’s OOD so that precautions are in place to 

prevent any sharp maneuvering of the ship while the helicopter is on jack stands.) 

 (9) Helicopter deployed at-sea need protection from the salt laden environment. 

This requires frequent fresh water washes. Who does the embarking unit coordinate this 

wash evolution with aboard ship? 
Appendix C 

C-8 JP 3-04 

 (10) Does the embarking unit have the correct TD chains for deployment (Navy 

TD-1A chains)? If not, where does the unit get them? 

 (11) Were the embarked unit personnel working on the flight deck thoroughly 

briefed on the use of flight deck/hangar deck fire fighting equipment? 

 (12) How do the embarking unit’s lines of supply/logistics integrate with the 

Navy’s supply/logistics system? 

 (13) Is host ship’s electrical power and GSE support compatible with 

embarking unit aircraft (voltage/phase/hydraulic fittings)? 

 (14) What tie-down supplies (cargo straps, etc.) does the embarking unit have to 

ensure safe TD of all embarked equipment/boxes at sea? 

 h. Flight deck/hangar operations 

 (1) Ordnance. 

 (2) Required ordnance safety briefings. 

 (3) Ordnance crew certification requirements (embarked unit and host ship). 

 (4) A comprehensive listing of all types/classes of ordnance (aircraft and 

personal weapons) by NSN and DODIC proposed for embarkation aboard ship. 

 (5) Required ordnance packaging and marking for shipment and onload aboard 

ship. 

 (6) Schedule and method of ordnance onload (pierside or fly-aboard). 

 (7) Designated ordnance stowage areas aboard ship for joint ordnance. 

 (8) Temporary stowage areas for ordnance/ammunition on the flight deck and 

prevention of FOD. 

 (9) Stowage, point of issue, responsibility for the issue, and accountability of 

personal weapons and ammunition aboard ship. 

 (10) Ship’s HERO restrictions for specified ordnance. 

 (11) Ordnance load plan input for ship’s notional air plan. 

 (12) Who (ship’s company) is responsible for setting "HERO"? 
Predeployment Planning Checklists 

 C-9 

 (13) Aviation ordnance storage, build-up, loading and unloading procedures 

aboard ship (see NAVAIR 00-80T-106, LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual and NAVAIR-00-

08T-105, CV NATOPS Manual.) 

 (14) Aviation crew-served weapons on the flight deck (type and safety). 

 (15) Positioning of aircraft with forward-firing ordnance (rockets) on flight 

deck. 

 (16) Hung ordnance procedures (flight patterns and download). 

 (17) Post mission/debarkation ordnance off-load requirements. 

 i. Safety

 (1) Schedule general shipboard safety brief for embarking unit/staff. 

 (2) Schedule flight deck safety orientation and flight crew rescue brief for air 

department. 

 (3) Aircraft mishap reporting responsibilities. Ship’s pre-accident plan, 

embarking unit pre-accident plan should be brought to conference. 

 (4) Proper equipment for flight deck. 

 (5) Flight deck FOD program. 

Note: Non-Navy ordnance aboard Navy ships is one of the most critical 

issues facing joint ship helicopter operations and must be addressed 

(and solved) early by joint planners. Direct liaison between the planner, 

embarking unit ordnance officer and ship’s company weapon’s 

department will solve many of these compatibility, procedures, and 

training issues so that few remain for the predeployment conference. 
Appendix C 

C-10 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
ANNEX A to APPENDIX C 

DECK LANDING QUALIFICATION PRESAIL CHECKLIST

C-A-1 

The following DLQ checklist has been extracted from MOU between the DON and 

DOA/DOAF, Army/Air Force Deck Landing Qualification, January 2002. 

1. Create key personnel list: 

 Duty Position: POC: Pone / Email: 

Aviation: ___________________ _________________ _________________ 

Ship: ___________________ _________________ _________________ 

2. Establish: 

a. DLQ date: ___________________

b. Schedule: ___________________

c. Ship location: ___________________

3. Field deck landing qualification requirements (as required) ___________________

4. Type and number of aircraft involved ___________________

5. DLQ requirements ___________________

a. Number of pilots ___________________

b. Number of landings (D/N/NVD) ___________________

6. Surface / air clearances (ship responsibility) ___________________

7. Aviation facility waiver (if required) ___________________

8. Communications / NAVAIDS / transmitters ___________________

a. Ship call sign & frequencies (primary & alternate) ___________________

b. Aircraft call sign ___________________

c. Ship emitter restrictions (EMV/HIRTA) ___________________

9. Ship overhead MSG (include PLAD message address) ___________________

10. Safety / operations brief (ship responsibility) ___________________

11. Crash rescue procedures ___________________

12. SAR / lost plane procedures __________________
Annex A to Appendix C 

C-A-2 JP 3-04 

13. Ship certification (level/class/type) & support ___________________

a. Landings/spotting restrictions ___________________

b. Maintenance capability (fresh water rinse) ___________________

14. Launch / recovery envelopes ___________________

a. Wind ___________________

b. Pitch/roll ___________________

15. Rotor engage / disengage & limits ___________________

16. Rotor brake equipped? ___________________

 

17. Weather procedures ___________________

a. Minimums (D/N/NVD) ___________________

b. Inadvertent IMC ___________________

18. Fuel requirements onboard ship ___________________

a. JP-5 considerations ___________________

b. NATO D1 or Wiggins fitting ___________________

19. Fuel cost reimbursement ___________________

20. Flight liaison officer ___________________

a. Embarkation / debarkation ___________________

b. Berthing / messing ___________________

c. Passenger / maintenance transfer (prohibited at night) ___________________

21. Shore-based administrative logistics ___________________

a. Coordinator ___________________

b. Transient A/C local Ops brief (base Ops) ___________________

c. Helo ramp parking ___________________
Deck Landing Qualification PreSail Checklist 

C-A-3 

d. Fresh water wash ___________________

e. Billeting ___________________

f. Messing ___________________

g. Local transportation ___________________

Numbered Fleet Air Operations Points of Contact:

COMSECONDFLT (Atlantic): DSN: (312) 646-9850, Commercial: (757) 443-9850 

COMTHIRDFLT (Eastern Pacific): DSN: (312) 577-4241, Commercial: (619) 767-4241 

COMFOURFLT DSN: (312) 960-6914, Commercial: (904) 270-6914 

COMFIFTHFLT (USCENTCOM AOR): DSN: (318) 439-4132, Commercial: 011- 

 973-1785-4132 

COMSIXTHFLT (USEUCOM, 

USAFRICOM AOR): DSN: (314) 626-4551, Commercial: 011- 

 39-081-568-4551 

COMSEVENTHFLT (Western Pacific/IO): DSN: (315) 243-7719, Commercial: 011-81-46-816-

 7719 

COMUSNAVSOUTH (USSOUTHCOM AOR): DSN: 831-3676, Comm: (787) 865-3676 
Annex A to Appendix C 

C-A-4 JP 3-04 

Intentionally Blank 
ANNEX B to APPENDIX C 

EMBARKED UNIT PREDEPLOYMENT PLANNING CHECKLIST 

C-B-1 

1. Security clearance message/FAX: ___________________ 

2. Helicopter detachment certification: ___________________

3. Requirements for aviators 

 a. Initial qualification and currency requirements: ___________________

 (1) DLQ LOI: ___________________ 

 (2) Security clearance: ___________________

 b. Aviators should attend an instrument refresher training course: 

 ___________________

 

 c. Overwater training requirements: ___________________

 d. Overwater gunnery training: ___________________

 e. NVD training: ___________________

 f. Nonstandard aviation maneuver training: ___________________

 g. Underwater egress training: ___________________

 h. HEEDS training: ___________________

 i. Anti-exposure suits/cold weather gear: ___________________

4. Requirements message-classified material stowage/handling: ___________________

5. Alpha/manning roster - embarked unit manning roster: ___________________

6. Helicopter specifications (i.e., diagrams) 

 a. Aircraft egress: ___________________

 b. Refueling locations and grounding points: ___________________

 c. Tie-down points: ___________________

 d. Desired wind envelopes: ___________________

 e. Pitch and roll limitations: ___________________

 f. Servicing locations (i.e., hydraulic, pneumatic): ___________________
Annex B to Appendix C 

C-B-2 JP 3-04 

7. Pre-exercise planning 

 a. Host squadron/hangaring of aircraft: ___________________

 b. CCR/Wiggins capability: ___________________

 c. Flashpoint minimums for hangaring of aircraft: ___________________

 d. Ordnance delivery and handling: ___________________

 e. NVD currency, requirements, and capabilities: ___________________

 f. Emergency low visibility approach (ELVA) currency and training: 

__________________ 

 g. Blade folding capability and heavy weather planning: ___________________

 h. Flight quarters versus flight hours: ___________________

8. Communications 

 a. Ship communications (i.e., walkie-talkie, mickey mouse ears):____________

 b. Available/clouded frequencies: ___________________

 c. EMCON procedures: ___________________

 d. RF interference: ___________________

9. Service and maintenance requirements 

 a. Corrosion prevention and control: ___________________

 b. POL requirements: ___________________

 c. General and special maintenance requirements: ___________________

 d. Ground support equipment (GSE): ___________________ 

 e. Aviation life support equipment (ALSE) inspection/certification: _________

 

10. Aircraft movement, respotting, and securing requirements 

 a. Blade fold/removal capability and requirements (support equipment): 
Embarked Unit Predeployment Planning Checklist 

C-B-3 

_________________

 b. Blade securing requirements: ___________________

 c. Tow bar / spoting dolly compatibility: ________________

 d. Initial, permanent, heavy weather securing requirements: 

___________________

 

11. Detachment/aircraft space assignments 

 a. Proper identification of tac numbers of assigned spaces: 

___________________

 b. Electrical power requirements: ___________________

12. Requirements for aviation detachment personnel assigned to flight deck duties 

 a. Personal protective clothing and equipment (cranial, steel toed boots, 

hearing/eye protection: ________________

 b. Flight deck clothing color coding: ___________________

 c. Shipboard fire fighting indoctrination training is required: ________________

 d. NVG compatible flashlights: ___________________

13. Corrosion prevention and control 

 a. Fresh water rinse: ___________________

 b. Saltwater encrustation: ___________________

 c. Passenger / maintenance transfer (prohibited at night) ___________________

14. Aircraft departure and recovery procedures 

 a. Deck status lights: ___________________

 b. Aircraft handling signals: ___________________

 c. Command and display signals: ___________________

 d. Communications: ___________________

 e. NVD operations: ___________________
Annex B to Appendix C 

C-B-4 JP 3-04 

 f. Air traffic control procedures: __________________ 

 g. Takeoff and recovery minimums: ___________________

 h. Standard landing patterns and zones: ___________________ 

 i. Instrument flight rules (instrument landing aids): ___________________

 j. Visual landing aids: ___________________

 k. EMCON: ___________________

 l. TACAN/radio frequencies: ___________________

 m. Control areas and approach charts: ___________________

 n. Wind envelopes: __________________ 

 o. Brevity codes: ___________________

15. General fueling procedures 

 a. Type of fuel: ___________________

 b. Preferred procedures: ___________________

 c. Alternate methods: ___________________

 d. Hot refueling: ___________________

 e. NATO 01 or Wiggins nozzles: ___________________

 f. Grounding/bonding: ___________________

16. Aviation ordnance 

 a. Movement, handling, and stowage of explosive ordnance: 

___________________

 b. Weapons staging: ___________________

 c. Weapons assembly and disassembly: ___________________ 

 d. Weapons loading and downloading: ___________________
Embarked Unit Predeployment Planning Checklist 

C-B-5 

 e. Weapons arming and disarming: ___________________

 f. Weapon System Explosive Safety Review Board (WSESRB): 

__________________ 

 g. Adherence to NAVSEA OP 4, Ammunition and Explosives Safety Afloat: 

 ______________

 h. Establish HERO and/or EMCON bill: ___________________

 i. Personnel qualification and certification: ___________________

 j. Emergency procedures: ___________________

17. Safety 

 a. General safety measures: ___________________

 

 b. Flight deck clothing and equipment: ___________________

 c. Passengers: ___________________

 d. FOD: __________________ 

 e. Helicopter equipment hazards: __________________ 

 f. Weapon hazards: ___________________ 

 g. Aircraft movement and respotting: __________________ 

 h. Helicopter fire party: ___________________ 

 i. Emergency procedures: ___________________

18. Aircraft maintenance 

 a. Ground support equipment (GSE): ___________________

 b. Compatible POL, and associated fuels: ___________________

 c. Special tools: ___________________

 

 d. Inspections: __________________ 

 e. Pack-up load plans: ___________________ 
Annex B to Appendix C 

C-B-6 JP 3-04 

f. HAZMAT: ___________________

19. Logistics 

 a. Shipboard orientation: ___________________

 b. Funding: ___________________

 c. Meals: ___________________

 d. Berthing (male/female): __________________ 

 e. Watch bill requirements: ___________________ 

 f. Supply: ___________________

 g. Cargo routing: __________________ 

 h. Aviation fuel: ___________________

 i. Hazardous and flammable material: ___________________

 j. Personal weapons: ___________________

 k. Ammunition: __________________ 

 l. Mail: ___________________ 

 m. Navy customs and courtesies: ___________________

 n. Publications: __________________ 

 o. ALSE: ___________________

 p. SAR: ___________________

 q. GQ/man overboard: ___________________
APPENDIX D 

REFERENCES 

D-1 

The development of JP 3-04 and detailed JSHO procedures are based upon the following 

primary references. 

1. General 

 a. Title 46 Code of Federal Regulations 146.29, Detailed Regulations Governing the 

Transportation of Military Explosives and Hazardous Munitions Onboard Vessels. 

 b. MIL-STD 464A, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for 

Systems. 

2. DOD Publications 

 DOD 6055.9-STD, DOD Ammunition and Explosive Safety Standards.

3. CJCS Publications 

 a. JP 1-02, DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms. 

 b. JP 3-0, Joint Operations. 

 c. JP 3-50, Personnel Recovery. 

 d. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction 5120.02, Joint Doctrine 

Development System. 

4. US Transportation Command Publications 

 

Defense Transportation Regulation. 

5. Multi-Service Publications 

 a. FM 1-02.1/MCRP 3-25G/NTTP 6-02.1/AFTTP(I) 3-2.5, Multi-Service Brevity 

Codes. 

 b. OPNAVINST 8020.14/MCO P8020.11 Department of the Navy Explosives Safety 

Policy. 

6. NATO Publications 

 a. APP 2(F)/MPP 2(F) Volume I, Helicopter Operations From Ships Other Than 

Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC) (Maritime VSTOL Data Included). 

 b. APP 2(F)/MPP 2(F) Volume II, Helicopter Operations From Ships Other Than 

Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC) Technical Supplement. 
Appendix D 

D-2 JP 3-04 

 c. APP 2(F)/MPP 2(F) Volume II PG, Helicopter Operations From Ships Other 

Than Aircraft Carriers (HOSTAC) Technical Supplement Pocket Guide. 

 d. ATP-17, Naval Artic Manual. 

7. US Ordnance Publications 

 a. NAVSEA OP 4, Ammunition and Explosives Safety Afloat. 

 b. NAVSEA OP 1014, Ordnance Safety Precautions. 

 c. NAVSEA OP 3347, US Navy Ordnance Safety Precautions. 

 d. NAVSEA OP 3565/NAVAIR 16-1-529, Volume 2, Electromagnetic Radiation 

Hazards (Hazards to Ordnance). 

 e. NAVSEA S9086-VG-STM-000, Naval Ships Technical Manual, Chapter 7. 

 f. NAVSEA S9522-AA-HBK-010, Instruction Book Magazine Sprinkler System. 

 g. NAVSEA SW010-AF-ORD-010, Identification of Ammunition.

 h. NAVSEA SW020-AC-SAF-010, SW020-AC-SAF-020, and SW020-AC-SAF030, Transportation and Storage Data for Ammunition, Explosives, and Related 

Hazardous Materials. 

 i. NAVSEA SW020-AG-SAF-010, Navy Transportation Safety Handbook for 

Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Hazardous Materials. 

 j. NAVSEA SW050-AB-MMA-010, Pyrotechnic Screening and Marking Items. 

 k. NAVSEA SW050-AC-ORD-010/NA-11-15-8, Toxic Hazard Associated with 

Pyrotechnic Devices. 

 l. NAVSEA SW060-AA-MMA-010, Demolition Material. 

 m. NAVAIR 11-1F-2, Description and Characteristics Airborne Bomb and Rocket 

Fuze Manual. 

 n. NAVAIR 11-75A-61, 2.75 Inch Airborne Rocket Launchers (LAU-61, 68 series). 

 o. NAVAIR 11-85-5, Airborne Rockets. 

 p. NAVAIR 11-120A-1.1/1.2, Airborne Weapons Packaging, Handling and 

Stowage. 

 q. NAVAIR 19-15BC-12, AERO-12C, Bomb Skid. 
References 

 D-3 

 r. NAVAIR 19-600-96-6-4, Calendar Maintenance Requirement Cards Bomb Skid, 

AERO-12B/C. 

 s. NAVAIR 19-95-1, Airborne Weapons/Stores Manual Checklist, Transportation 

and Loading Equipment Configuration. 

 t. NAVAIR NA-00-80R-14, Aircraft Firefighting & Rescue Manual. 

 

8. Service Publications 

 a. FM-1-564, Shipboard Operations. 

 b. MCRP 4-11.3G, Unit Embarkation Handbook. 

 c. COMDTINST M3710.2, Shipboard-Helicopter Operational Procedures Manual. 

 d. COMDTINST M3710.1, Air Operations Manual. 

 e. NAVAIR 00-80T-105, CV NATOPS Manual. 

 f. NAVAIR 00-80T-106, LHA/LHD NATOPS Manual. 

 g. NAVAIR 00-80T-109, Aircraft Refueling NATOPS Manual. 

 h. NAVAIR 00-80T-120, CV NATOPS for Flight Deck and Hangar Deck. 

 i. NAVAIR 00-80T-122, Helicopter Operating Procedures for Air-Capable Ships 

NATOPS Manual. 

 j. NAVAIR NA-00-80R-14, Aircraft Firefighting & Rescue Manual. 

 k. NAEC-ENG-7576, Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume. 

 l. Naval Safety Center Instruction 8020.1, Ship/Submarine Explosives Safety Surveys 

and Checklist. 

 m. NAVSEAINST 8020.7C, Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance 

Safety Program. 

 n. NAVSUP P-724, Conventional Ordnance Stockpile Management. 

 o. NAVSUP P-801, Notice of Ammunition Reclassification (NAR) Manual. 

 p. NAVSUP P-802, Navy Ammunition Logistics Codes. 

 q. OPNAVINST 3710.7T, NATOPS General Flight and Operating Instructions. 
Appendix D 

D-4 JP 3-04 

 r. OPNAVINST 5100.19, Navy Safety Precautions for Forces Afloat. 

 s. OPNAVINST 5530.1, Department of the Navy Physical Security Instruction for 

Sensitive Conventional Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (AA&E). 

 t. OPNAVINST 5720.2 Embarkation of US Naval Ships. 

 u. OPNAVINST 8600.2, Naval Airborne Weapons Maintenance Manual. 
APPENDIX E 

ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS 

E-1 

1. User Comments 

Users in the field are highly encouraged to submit comments on this publication to: 

Commander, United States Joint Forces Command, Joint Warfighting Center, ATTN: 

Joint Doctrine Group, 116 Lake View Parkway, Suffolk, VA 23435-2697. These 

comments should address content (accuracy, usefulness, consistency, and organization), 

writing, and appearance. 

2. Authorship 

 The lead agent for this publication is the US Navy. The Joint Staff doctrine sponsor 

for this publication is the Director for Operational Plans and Interoperability (J-7). 

3. Supersession 

 This publication supersedes Joint Pub 3-04.1, 10 December 1997, “Joint Tactics, 

Techniques, and Procedures for Shipboard Helicopter Operations.” 

4. Change Recommendations 

 a. Recommendations for urgent changes to this publication should be submitted: 

 TO: CDRUSJFCOM SUFFOLK VA//DOC GP// 

 INFO: JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J7-JEDD// 

 JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC//J3// 

 Routine changes should be submitted electronically to Commander, Joint 

Warfighting Center, Doctrine and Education Group and info the Lead Agent and the 

Director for Operational Plans and Joint Force Development J-7/JEDD via the CJCS JEL 

at http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine. 

 b. When a Joint Staff directorate submits a proposal to the Chairman of the Joint 

Chiefs of Staff that would change source document information reflected in this 

publication, that directorate will include a proposed change to this publication as an 

enclosure to its proposal. The Military Services and other organizations are requested to 

notify the Joint Staff/J-7 when changes to source documents reflected in this publication 

are initiated. 

 

 c. Record of Changes: 

CHANGE COPY DATE OF DATE POSTED 

NUMBER NUMBER CHANGE ENTERED BY REMARKS 

________________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________________ 

________________________________________________________________________ 
Appendix E 

E-2 JP 3-04 

5. Distribution 

 Local reproduction is authorized and access to unclassified publications is 

unrestricted. However, access to and reproduction authorization for classified joint 

publications must be in accordance with DOD Regulation 5200.1-R, Information Security 

Program. 

6. Distribution of Electronic Publications 

 a. Joint Staff J-7 will not print copies of JPs for distribution. Electronic versions are 

available on JDEIS at https://jdeis.js.mil (NIPRNET), and https://jdeis.js.smil.mil 

(SIPRNET) and on the JEL at http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine (NIPRNET). 

 b. Only approved joint publications and joint test publications are releasable outside 

the combatant commands, Services, and Joint Staff. Release of any classified joint 

publication to foreign governments or foreign nationals must be requested through the 

local embassy (Defense Attaché Office) to DIA Foreign Liaison Office, PO-FL, Room 

1E811, 7400 Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-7400. 

 c. CD-ROM. Upon request of a JDDC member, the Joint Staff J-7 will produce and 

deliver one CD-ROM with current joint publications. 
GLOSSARY

PART I– ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

GL-1 

AAAS amphibious aviation assault ship 

ACE aviation combat element Marine air-ground task force 

 (MAGTF) 

ACS air-capable ship 

A/E ammunition/explosives 

AFTTP(I) Air Force tactics, techniques, and procedures (instruction) 

AIMD aircraft intermediate maintenance department 

ALN ammunition lot number 

APP allied procedural publication 

ASP ammunition supply point 

ATC air traffic control 

ATP allied tactical publication 

AVCAL aviation consolidated allowance list 

C Celsius 

C2 command and control 

CCDR combatant commander 

CCR closed circuit refueling 

CNO Chief of Naval Operations 

CO commanding officer 

COMDTINST Commandant, United States Coast Guard instruction 

COMPACFLT Commander, Pacific Fleet 

COMUSFLTFORCOM Commander, United States Fleet Forces Command 

CRIF cargo routing information file 

CV aircraft carrier 

CVN aircraft carrier, nuclear 

CVW carrier air wing 

DLQ deck landing qualification 

DMHS Defense Message Handling System 

DOD Department of Defense 

DODIC Department of Defense identification code 

DON Department of the Navy 

DSN Defense Switched Network 

E3 electromagnetic environmental effects 

EED electro-explosive device 

EID electrically initiated device 

EM electromagnetic 

EMCON emission control 

EME electromagnetic environment 

EMI electromagnetic interference 

EMV electromagnetic vulnerability 

ESG expeditionary strike group 

EWO electronic warfare officer 
Glossary 

GL-2 JP 3-04 

F Fahrenheit 

FM field manual (Army) 

FOD foreign object damage 

GQ general quarters 

GSE ground support equipment 

HAZMAT hazardous materials 

HCO helicopter control officer 

HDC helicopter direction center 

HERF hazards of electromagnetic radiation to fuels 

HERO hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance 

HERP hazards of electromagnetic radiation to personnel 

HIFR helicopter in-flight refueling 

HIRTA high intensity radio transmission area 

HQ headquarters 

HSS health service support 

IAW in accordance with 

IMC instrument meteorological conditions 

IMRL individual material requirements list 

ISO International Organization for Standardization 

JFC joint force commander 

JOERAD joint spectrum center ordnance E3 risk assessment 

 database 

JSC Joint Spectrum Center 

JSHO joint shipboard helicopter operations 

lb pound 

LHA amphibious assault ship (general 

 purpose) 

LHD amphibious assault ship (dock) 

LSE landing signalman enlisted 

LSO landing signals officer 

MCO Marine Corps order 

MCRP Marine Corps reference publication 

MGW maximum gross weight 

MHE materials handling equipment 

MIL-STD military standard 

MOU memorandum of understanding 

MPP maritime procedural publication 

NAEC-ENG Naval Air Engineering Center - Engineering 

NALC Navy ammunition logistics code 
Glossary 

 GL-3 

NAR notice of ammunition reclassification 

NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization 

NATOPS Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures 

 Standardization 

NAVAIDS navigational aids 

NAVAIR Naval Air Systems Command 

NAVMTO Navy Material Transportation Office 

NAVSEA Naval Sea Systems Command 

NAVSEAINST Naval Sea Systems Command instruction 

NAVSUP Naval Supply Systems Command 

NAWCAD Naval Air Warfare Center, Aircraft Division 

NOLSC Naval Operational Logistics Support Center 

NOSSA Navy Ordnance Safety and Security Activity 

NSN National Stock Number 

NSWCDD Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division 

NTTP Navy tactics, techniques, and procedures 

NVD night vision device 

 

1MC general announcing system 

OIC officer in charge 

OOD officer of the deck 

OP ordnance publication 

OPNAVINST Chief of Naval Operations instruction 

P publication 

PB4T planning board for training 

PLAD plain language address directory 

PMCF post maintenance check flight 

POC point of contact 

POD plan of the day 

POE port of embarkation 

POL petroleum, oils, and lubricants 

PRIFLY primary flight control 

psi pounds per square inch 

RF radio frequency 

RPM revolutions per minute 

SAR search and rescue 

SN serial number 

SOF special operations forces 

SOP standing operating procedure 

SSCO shipper’s service control office 

SUPPO supply officer 

TACAN tactical air navigation 
Glossary 

GL-4 JP 3-04 

TAD temporary additional duty 

TD tie down 

TDY temporary duty 

T/M/S type, model, and/or series (also TMS) 

TYCOM type commander 

UHF ultrahigh frequency 

USA United States Army 

USAF United States Air Force 

USCG United States Coast Guard 

USMC United States Marine Corps 

USN United States Navy 

VERTREP vertical replenishment 

VMC visual meteorological conditions 

VTOL-UAV vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle 

WOD wind-over deck 

WSESRB Weapon System Explosive Safety Review Board 

XO executive officer 
PART II– TERMS AND DEFINITIONS 

GL-5 

Unless otherwise annotated, this publication is the proponent for all terms and definitions 

found in the glossary. Upon approval, JP 1-02, Department of Defense Dictionary of 

Military and Associated Terms, will reflect this publication as the source document for 

these terms and definitions. 

air-capable ship. A ship other than aircraft carrier; aircraft carrier, nuclear; amphibious 

assault ship, landing platform helicopter; general purpose amphibious assault ship; 

or general purpose amphibious assault ship (with internal dock) from which aircraft 

can take off, be recovered, or routinely receive and transfer logistic support. (This 

term and its definition modify the existing term and its definition and are approved 

for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

ambient temperature. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

ammunition lot. A quantity of homogeneous ammunition, identified by a unique lot 

number, which is manufactured, assembled, or renovated by one producer under 

uniform conditions and which is expected to function in a uniform manner. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

amphibious assault ship (dock). A naval ship designed to embark, deploy, and land 

elements of a landing force in an assault by helicopters, landing craft, amphibious 

vehicles, and by combinations of these methods. Also called LHD. (Approved for 

inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

amphibious assault ship (general purpose). A naval ship designed to embark, deploy, 

and land elements of a landing force in an assault by helicopters, landing craft, 

amphibious vehicles, and by combinations of these methods. Also called LHA. 

(This term and its definition modify the existing term and its definition and are 

approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

amphibious aviation assault ship. An amphibious assault ship, landing platform 

helicopter; general purpose amphibious assault ship; or general purpose amphibious 

assault ship (with internal dock). (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

approach control. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

armed helicopter. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

arming wire. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

arm or de-arm. Applies to those procedures in the arming or de-arming section of the 

applicable aircraft loading manual or checklist that places the ordnance or explosive 

device in a ready or safe condition i.e., rocket launchers, guided missiles, guns — 

internal and pods, paraflares — (external and SUU-44/25 dispenser). (NOTE: The 

removal or installation of pylon or bomb rack safety pins from a nonordnance-loaded 
Glossary 

GL-6 JP 3-04 

station is considered a function requiring certification within the purview of this 

publication.) (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

attack helicopter. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

aviation ship. An aircraft carrier. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

bill. A ship’s publication listing operational or administrative procedures. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

brevity code. A code which provides no security but which has as its sole purpose the 

shortening of messages rather than the concealment of their content. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

cartridge actuated device. Small explosive devices used to eject stores from launched 

devices, actuate other explosive systems, or provide initiation for aircrew escape 

devices. Also called CAD. (Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

combat information center. The agency in a ship or aircraft manned and equipped to 

collect, display, evaluate, and disseminate tactical information for the use of the 

embarked flag officer, commanding officer, and certain control agencies. Also 

called CIC. (This term and its definition modify the existing term and its definition 

and are approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

control area. A controlled airspace extending upwards from a specified limit above the 

Earth. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

de-arming. An operation in which a weapon is changed from a state of readiness for 

initiation to a safe condition. Also called safing. Also see arm or de-arm. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

decision altitude. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.)

decision height. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

deck status light. A three-colored light (red, amber, green) controlled from the primary 

flight control. Navy — The light displays the status of the ship to support flight 

operations. United States Coast Guard — The light displays clearance for a 

helicopter to conduct a given evolution. (Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

delaying operation. An operation in which a force under pressure trades space for time 

by slowing down the enemy’s momentum and inflicting maximum damage on the 

enemy without, in principle, becoming decisively engaged. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 

3-04) 

density altitude. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

 GL-7 

downloading. An operation that removes airborne weapons or stores from an aircraft. 

(JP 1-2. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

down lock. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

drift angle. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

droop stop. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

electro-explosive device. An explosive or pyrotechnic component that initiates an 

explosive, burning, electrical, or mechanical train and is activated by the application 

of electrical energy. Also called EED. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

electromagnetic compatibility. The ability of systems, equipment, and devices that 

utilize the electromagnetic spectrum to operate in their intended operational 

environments without suffering unacceptable degradation or causing unintentional 

degradation because of electromagnetic radiation or response. It involves the 

application of sound electromagnetic spectrum management; system, equipment, and 

device design configuration that ensures interference-free operation; and clear 

concepts and doctrines that maximize operational effectiveness. Also called EMC. 

(JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-13.1) 

electromagnetic environment. The resulting product of the power and time distribution, 

in various frequency ranges, of the radiated or conducted electromagnetic emission 

levels that may be encountered by a military force, system, or platform when 

performing its assigned mission in its intended operational environment. It is the 

sum of electromagnetic interference; electromagnetic pulse; hazards of 

electromagnetic radiation to personnel, ordnance, and volatile materials; and natural 

phenomena effects of lightning and precipitation static. Also called EME. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-13.1) 

electromagnetic environmental effects. The impact of the electromagnetic environment 

upon the operational capability of military forces, equipment, systems, and 

platforms. It encompasses all electromagnetic disciplines, including electromagnetic 

compatibility and electromagnetic interference; electromagnetic vulnerability; 

electromagnetic pulse; electronic protection, hazards of electromagnetic radiation to 

personnel, ordnance, and volatile materials; and natural phenomena effects of 

lightning and precipitation static. Also called E3. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-13.1) 

electromagnetic interference. Any electromagnetic disturbance that interrupts, 

obstructs, or otherwise degrades or limits the effective performance of electronics 

and electrical equipment. It can be induced intentionally, as in some forms of 

electronic warfare, or unintentionally, as a result of spurious emissions and 

responses, intermodulation products, and the like. Also called EMI. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-13.1) 
Glossary 

GL-8 JP 3-04 

electromagnetic vulnerability. The characteristics of a system that cause it to suffer a 

definite degradation (incapability to perform the designated mission) as a result of 

having been subjected to a certain level of electromagnetic environmental effects. 

Also called EMV. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-13.1) 

final bearing. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

flight deck. 1. In certain airplanes, an elevated compartment occupied by the crew for 

operating the airplane in flight. 2. The upper deck of an aircraft carrier that serves as 

a runway. The deck of an air-capable ship, amphibious aviation assault ship, or 

aviation ship used to launch and recover aircraft. (This term and its definition modify 

the existing term and its definition and are approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

flight deck officer. Officer responsible for the safe movement of aircraft on or about the 

flight deck of an aviation-capable ship. Also called FDO. (Approved for inclusion in 

JP 1-02.) 

flight quarters. A ship configuration that assigns and stations personnel at critical 

positions to conduct safe flight operations. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

foreign object damage. Rags, pieces of paper, line, articles of clothing, nuts, bolts, or 

tools that, when misplaced or caught by air currents normally found around aircraft 

operations (jet blast, rotor or prop wash, engine intake), cause damage to aircraft 

systems or weapons or injury to personnel. Also called FOD. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 

3-04) 

handling (ordnance). Applies to those individuals who engage in the breakout, lifting, 

or repositioning of ordnance or explosive devices in order to facilitate storage or 

stowage, assembly or disassembly, loading or downloading, or transporting. (JP 1-

02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

hazards of electromagnetic radiation to fuels. The potential hazard that is created 

when volatile combustibles, such as fuel, are exposed to electromagnetic fields of 

sufficient energy to cause ignition. Also called HERF. (Approved for inclusion in JP 

1-02.) 

hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance. The danger of accidental actuation 

of electro-explosive devices or otherwise electrically activating ordnance because of 

radio frequency electromagnetic fields. This unintended actuation could have safety 

(premature firing) or reliability (dudding) consequences. Also called HERO. (JP 1-

02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

hazards of electromagnetic radiation to personnel. The potential hazard that exists 

when personnel are exposed to an electromagnetic field of sufficient intensity to heat 

the human body. Also called HERP. (Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

 GL-9 

helicopter assault force. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

helicopter control station. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

helicopter direction center. In amphibious operations, the primary direct control 

agency for the helicopter group/unit commander operating under the overall control 

of the tactical air control center. Also called HDC. (This term and its definition 

modify the existing term and its definition and are approved for inclusion in JP 1-

02.) 

helicopter drop point. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

helicopter landing site. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

helicopter lane. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

 

helicopter retirement route. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

HERO SAFE ordnance. Any ordnance item that is percussion initiated, sufficiently 

shielded or otherwise so protected that all electro-explosive devices contained by the 

item are immune to adverse effects (safety or reliability) when the item is employed 

in its expected radio frequency environments, provided that the general hazards of 

electromagnetic radiation to ordnance requirements defined in the hazards from 

electromagnetic radiation manual are observed. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

HERO SUSCEPTIBLE ordnance. Any ordnance item containing electro-explosive 

devices proven by test or analysis to be adversely affected by radio frequency energy 

to the point that the safety and/or reliability of the system is in jeopardy when the 

system is employed in its expected radio frequency environment. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

HERO UNSAFE ordnance. Any ordnance item containing electro-explosive devices 

that has not been classified as HERO SAFE or HERO SUSCEPTIBLE ordnance as a 

result of a hazards of electromagnetic radiation to ordnance (HERO) analysis or test 

is considered HERO UNSAFE ordnance. Additionally, any ordnance item 

containing electro-explosive devices (including those previously classified as HERO 

SAFE or HERO SUSCEPTIBLE ordnance) that has its internal wiring exposed; 

when tests are being conducted on that item that result in additional electrical 

connections to the item; when electro-explosive devices having exposed wire leads 

are present and handled or loaded in any but the tested condition; when the item is 

being assembled or disassembled; or when such ordnance items are damaged 

causing exposure of internal wiring or components or destroying engineered HERO 

protective devices. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 
Glossary 

GL-10 JP 3-04 

hovering. A self-sustaining maneuver whereby a fixed, or nearly fixed, position is 

maintained relative to a spot on the surface of the Earth or underwater. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

hung ordnance. Those weapons or stores on an aircraft that the pilot has attempted to 

drop or fire but could not because of a malfunction of the weapon, rack or launcher, 

or aircraft release and control system. (This term and its definition modify the 

existing term “hung weapons” and its definition and are approved for inclusion in JP 

1-02.) 

initial approach. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

initial approach area. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

instrument approach procedure. A series of predetermined maneuvers for the orderly 

transfer of an aircraft under instrument flight conditions from the beginning of the 

initial approach to a landing or to a point from which a landing may be made 

visually or the missed approach procedure is initiated. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

instrument flight. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

instrument landing system. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

instrument meteorological conditions. Meteorological conditions expressed in terms of 

visibility, distance from cloud, and ceiling; less than minimums specified for visual 

meteorological conditions. Also called IMC. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

landing aid. Any illuminating light, radio beacon, radar device, communicating device, 

or any system of such devices for aiding aircraft in an approach and landing. (JP 1-

02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

landing approach. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

landing signals officer. Officer responsible for the visual control of aircraft in the 

terminal phase of the approach immediately prior to landing. Also called LSO. (This 

term and its definition modify the existing term “landing signal officer” and its 

definition and are approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

landing signalman enlisted. Enlisted man responsible for ensuring that helicopters, on 

signal, are safely started, engaged, launched, recovered, and shut down. Also called 

LSE. (Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

loading (ordnance). None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

marshal. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

 GL-11 

multi-spot ship. Those ships certified to have two or more adjacent landing areas. ( This 

term and its definition modify the existing term and its definition and are approved 

for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures Standardization manual. Series of 

general and specific aircraft procedural manuals that govern the operations of naval 

aircraft. (Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

nonprecision approach. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

officer of the deck. The officer of the deck under way has been designated by the 

commanding officer to be in charge of the ship, including its safe and proper 

operation. The officer of the deck reports directly to the commanding officer for the 

safe navigation and general operation of the ship, to the executive officer (and 

command duty officer if appointed) for carrying out the ship’s routine, and to the 

navigator on sighting navigational landmarks and making course and speed changes. 

Also called OOD. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

operational necessity. A mission associated with war or peacetime operations in which 

the consequences of an action justify the risk of loss of aircraft and crew. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

packup kit. Service-provided maintenance gear including spare parts and consumables 

most commonly needed by the deployed helicopter detachment. Supplies are 

sufficient for a short-term deployment but do not include all material needed for 

every maintenance task. Also called PUK. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

positive control. A method of airspace control that relies on positive identification, 

tracking, and direction of aircraft within an airspace, conducted with electronic 

means by an agency having the authority and responsibility therein. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-52) 

precision approach. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

presail. The time prior to a ship getting under way used to prepare for at-sea events. 

(Approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

pressure altitude. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

primary flight control. The controlling agency on aviation ships and amphibious 

aviation assault ships that is responsible for air traffic control of aircraft within 5 

nautical miles of the ship. On most Coast Guard cutters, primary flight control duties 

are performed by a combat information center, and the term "PRIFLY" is not used. 

Also called PRIFLY. (This term and its definition modify the existing term and its 

definition and are approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 
Glossary 

GL-12 JP 3-04 

relative bearing. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

single-spot ship. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

spot. 1. To determine by observation, deviations of ordnance from the target for the 

purpose of supplying necessary information for the adjustment of fire. 2. To place in 

a proper location. 3. An approved shipboard helicopter landing site. (JP 1-02. 

SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

spotting. Parking aircraft in an approved shipboard landing site. (Approved for inclusion 

in JP 1-02.) 

stabilized glide slope indicator. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

standing operating procedure. A set of instructions covering those features of 

operations which lend themselves to a definite or standardized procedure without 

loss of effectiveness. The procedure is applicable unless ordered otherwise. Also 

called SOP. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-31) 

storage or stowage. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

strikedown. The movement of aircraft from the flight deck to the hangar deck level. 

(This term and its definition modify the existing term and definition and are 

approved for inclusion in JP 1-02.) 

TACAN. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

transporting (ordnance). The movement or repositioning of ordnance or explosive 

devices along established explosive routes (does not apply to the aircraft flight line). 

(JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

unexpended weapons or ordnance. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

vectored attack. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 

vertical replenishment. The use of a helicopter for the transfer of material to or from a 

ship. Also called VERTREP. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

visual meteorological conditions. Weather conditions in which visual flight rules apply; 

expressed in terms of visibility, ceiling height, and aircraft clearance from clouds 

along the path of flight. When these criteria do not exist, instrument meteorological 

conditions prevail and instrument flight rules must be complied with. Also called 

VMC. (JP 1-02. SOURCE: JP 3-04) 

wave-off. None. (Approved for removal from JP 1-02.) 
JOINT DOCTRINE PUBLICATIONS HIERARCHY JOINT DOCTRINE PUBLICATIONS HIERARCHY

JP 1-0 JP 2-0

PERSONNEL

JP 4-0 JP 5-0 JP 6-0

INTELLIGENCE LOGISTICS

COMMUNICATION

PLANS SYSTEMS

JP 1

JP 3-0

OPERATIONS

JOINT

DOCTRINE

Maintenance

Approval Development

Initiation

JOINT

DOCTRINE

PUBLICATION

ENHANCED

JOINT

WARFIGHTING

CAPABILITY

STEP #4 - Maintenance









JP published and continuously

assessed by users

Formal assessment begins 24-

27 months following

publication

Revision begins 3.5 years after

publication

Each JP revision is completed

no later than 5 years after

signature

STEP #3 - Approval STEP #2 - Development

STEP #1 - Initiation







JSDS delivers adjudicated matrix to JS J-7

JS J-7 prepares publication for signature

JSDS prepares JS staffing package

JSDS staffs the publication via JSAP for

signature













Joint Doctrine Development

Community (JDDC) submission to

fill extant operational void

US Joint Forces Command

(USJFCOM) conducts front-end

analysis

Joint Doctrine Planning Conference

validation

Program Directive (PD) development

and staffing/joint working group

PD includes scope, references,

outline, milestones, and draft

authorship

Joint Staff (JS) J-7 approves and

releases PD to lead agent (LA)

(Service, combatant command, JS

directorate)

All joint publications are organized into a comprehensive hierarchy as shown in the chart above.

is in the series of joint doctrine publications. The diagram below illustrates an overview of the

development process:

Joint Publication

(JP) 3-04 Operations













LA selects Primary Review Authority (PRA) to develop the

first draft (FD)

PRA/USJFCOM develops FD for staffing with JDDC

FD comment matrix adjudication

JS J-7 produces the final coordination (FC) draft, staffs to

JDDC and JS via Joint Staff Action Processing

Joint Staff doctrine sponsor (JSDS) adjudicates FC

comment matrix

FC Joint working group