ABH Community Overview

ABCM Community Overview

ABH Career Path
 

General Description

Aviation Boatswain's Mates 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 ABs can earn the advanced AB rating that requires supervision of all these individual specialties.

What They Do

The duties performed by ABHs include: supervising the movement, spotting and securing of aircraft and equipment ashore and afloat; performing crash rescue, fire fighting, crash removal and damage control duties in connection with launching and recovery of aircraft.

Working Environment

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. ABs work closely with others in aviation ratings. 

Requirements

ASVAB: VE+AR+MK+AS=161
20/100 Uncorrected
Must have normal color perception
Must have normal hearing
Notes: Visual acuity must be correctable to 20/20. When specified, uncorrected visual acuity must not be greater than that indicated (i.e. 20/100), and must be correctable to 20/20. Normal hearing required. Frequencies: 3000hz 4000hz 5000hz 6000hz Average hearing threshold level in these four frequencies must be less than 30db, with no level greater than 45db in any one frequency. If hearing level exceeds these limits, the applicant is enlistment ineligible for the rating.