page_title: Aviation boatswain's mate
section_title: Aviation boatswain's mates, handling (ABH)
hierarchical_section_title: Aviation boatswain's mate / Employment and sub specialties / Aviation boatswain's mates, handling (ABH)
caption_attribution_description: English: The Mediterranean Sea (Mar. 17, 2003) -- An Aviation Boatswain's Mate guides an F/A-18C Hornet from the 'Valions' of Strike Fighter Squadron Fifteen (VFA-15) into position for launch. The Valions are part of Carrier Airwing Eight (CVW-8), embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy Photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class James K. McNeil. (RELEASED)
context_page_description: Aviation boatswain's mate is a United States Navy occupational rating.
context_section_description: Aviation boatswain's mates, handlers play a major part in launching and recovering naval aircraft quickly and safely from land or ships. This includes aircraft handling, fire fighting and salvage and rescue operations. Later in their careers ABHs can earn the advanced AB rating that requires supervision of all these individual specialties. Other job assignments include deck edge Elevator operator, working the spotting board in flight deck control, Tractor driver, Tractor king (who dispatches tractors, and supervises tractor drivers) and performs aircraft engine starting. Handlers also operate mobile crash cranes, an mobile firefighting vehicles on the flight deck and hangar bay. ABH can also be assigned to 'in port' fire crew, and Damage Control Petty officer (DCPO) which are in charge of the material condition and battle readiness of divisional work spaces. 
  The duties performed by ABHs include:
  Supervising the movement, spotting and securing of aircraft and equipment ashore and afloat. Often called "the salt of the deck", because they are the leaders of everyone, including officers, on deck.
  Performing crash rescue, fire fighting, crash removal and damage control duties in connection with launching and recovery of aircraft.
  Most of the work in this rating is performed outdoors on the deck of aircraft carriers, in all climatic conditions, in fast-paced and often potentially hazardous environments. ABHs work closely with others in aviation ratings..
caption: ABHs ("yellowshirts") direct the movement of all aircraft
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