DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

HEADQUARTERS, UNITED STATES ARMY VETERINARY COMMAND

OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP30)

Revision 4, 3 March 2011

Survival Food Packet – Aircraft Liferaft Inspection

1.0 PURPOSE: To provide clear procedures in performing inspection of Survival Food Packet

– Aircraft Liferaft.

2.0 SCOPE:

2.1 This VETCOM OPRATS IP applies to Army Veterinary Inspectors (AVI) assigned

to post, camp, or stations with responsibility for performing Aircraft Liferaft surveillance

inspections.

2.2 This VETCOM OPRATS IP discusses procedures and inspection guidance not

covered in DSCPH 4155.2, Appendix E.

3.0 DEFINITIONS:

3.1 Refer to DSCP Handbook 4155.2, Definitions

3.2 Refer to DSCPH 4155.2, Appendix E, Definitions

3.3 Food Packet, Survival, Aircraft Liferaft – Used by the Navy to sustain personnel that

survive aircraft disasters. The packet, along with other essential equipment, is supplied in the

emergency kits carried aboard naval aircraft.

3.3.1 Characteristics – (Type I) packet contains hard candy, candy coated

chewing gum, and twine. (Type II) packet contains 2-6 survival foods bars. For Type I, an

instruction sheet is included explaining the use of the twine for storing the components after the

packet is opened. There are 36 packets per case.

3.3.2 Shelf Life

3.3.2.1 Type I – Seven years at 80 degrees F (27 degrees C).

3.3.2.2 Type II – Item is a generic off-the-shelf commercial item and no

shelf-life data is available at this time.

3.3.3 Nutritional Data

3.3.3.1 Type I – Each packet provides approximately 300 kilocalories

(100% carbohydrate).
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP30)

Revision 4, 3 March 2011

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3.3.3.2 Type II – Each bar provides approximately 400 kilocalories

(maximum 8% protein, 0.5% salt, and 45% minimum carbohydrates). There two to six bars per

package.

3.3.3.3. It is strictly a short-term survival food whose consumption will

help to minimize the negative metabolic effects of acute starvation. The components are

compatible with potable water restrictions.

4.0 REFERENCES:

4.1 DSCP Handbook 4155.2

4.2 DSCPH 4155.2, Appendix E

4.3 Natick Pam 30-25, 8th Edition

4.4 CID-A-A-20331, Commercial Item Description for Food Packet, Survival, Aircraft

Liferaft

4.5 MEDCOM Regulation 40-28

4.6 MEDCOM Pamphlet 40-13

4.7 VETCOM Handbook 40-3, Installation Support Plan (ISP) Program

5.0 PROCEDURES:

5.1 General Examination for Transportation Damage/Obvious Defects.

5.1.1 A complete receipt inspection is not required if a current inspection report

accompanies the shipment.

5.1.2 Aircraft Liferaft packets delivered to various installations directly from the

MRE assembly plant (Wornick, Ameriqual, and Sopacko) or the assembly contractor’s facility

(i.e. Oklahoma League for the Blind) does not require a complete receipt inspection. These

shipments must have a DD Form 250 with block 21 (Contract Quality Assurance) completed and

signed for the Chief, Operational Rations, VETCOM HQ, by the in-plant/procurement AVIs.

Inspect these deliveries only for transportation damage/obvious defects.

5.2 Types and Frequency of Inspections.

5.2.1 Receipt Inspection – IAW DSCP Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII A.

5.2.2 In-storage Inspection – IAW DSCP Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII B.

5.2.3 Warranty Inspection – IAW DSCP Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII C.
OPERATIONAL RATIONS INSPECTION PROCEDURE (OPRATS IP30)

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5.2.4 Prior to Sale or Shipment (Surveillance) Inspection – IAW DSCP

Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII D.

5.2.5 Special Inspection – IAW DSCP Handbook 4155.2, Paragraph VIII E.

5.3 Formation of Lots. IAW DSCPH 4155.2, Appendix F, Paragraph II.C.3.

5.4 Normal Inspection.

5.4.1 The AVIs will perform normal surveillance inspections IAW DSCPH

4155.2, Appendix E, Paragraphs II.A thru II.J.

5.4.2 The lot size for the Aircraft Liferaft is the total number of food packets.

NOTE: Aircraft Liferaft packets are issued by the packet not cases. The AVI will pay particular

attention to the shipping container sample size.

5.5 Special Inspection. The AVI will perform special inspections IAW DSCPH 4155.2,

Appendix E, Paragraphs III.A thru III.D.

5.6 Monograph. The monograph for the Aircraft Liferaft is posted in the DCSP

Quality Assurance Publications website at,

https://www.dscp.dla.mil/subs/support/qapubs/appe/index.asp

5.7 Condition Code and Lot Disposition. The AVI will condition code the Aircraft

Liferaft IAW DSCPH 4155.2, Appendix E, Paragraphs II.H.1 thru II.H.8, III.C.1-2., and Table

N.

5.8 Shelf Life. The AVI may extend the shelf life of the Aircraft Liferaft based on the

inspection results and IAW DSCPH 4155.2 Paragraph VIII.B.a thru VIII.B.c.

5.9 Nonconformance Reporting. Perform IAW DSCP Handbook 4155.2, and DSCPH

4155.2, Appendix E, Paragraphs II.I and III.D.

6.0 RECORD, REPORT, AND FORMS:

6.1 DSCP Form 5117.

6.2 Maintain a copy of the completed DSCP Form 5117 in the local file.

6.3 Do not post Aircraft Liferaft inspection reports in the Lotus Notes MRE Inspection

database.

6.4 A CVR will be completed for each ration inspection to establish a record in the ISP

application and capture the manpower required.