Arming and Safing Signals

 
Signal Meaning Response
Day Night
1.  Arming Supervisor:
Hands over head with finger tips touching

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 RED banded wands overhead with tips touching Pilot/Copilot/NFO:

Check all armament switches OFF or SAFE

 Pilot/Copilot/NFO:

Raise both hands into view of arming supervisor after checking switch positions.  (Hands remain in view during check and hookup)
2.  Arming Supervisor:
One hand over head; point to arming crewmembers with other hand

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 Same as day but with RED banded wands Arming Crew:

Perform stray voltage checks

 Arming Crew:

Give "Thumbs up" to arming supervisor if no stray voltage exists.
"Thumbs down" indicates stray voltage problems.

Night:
Vertical sweep with flashlight indicates no stray voltage.  Horizontal sweep indicates stray voltage
3.  Arming Supervisor:
Raise fist, extended upward to meet horizontal palm of other hand

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 Form a tee with RED banded wands Arming Crew:

Arm weapons (as applicable)

 Arming Crew:
Give arming supervisor "Thumbs up" when arming completed and clear immediate area.  "Thumbs down" if malfunction exists.

Night:
Vertical sweep with flashlight indicates arming completed.
Horizontal sweep indicates malfunction
4.  Arming Supervisor:
Raise both hands with fingers pointing to sound attenuators

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 Same as day.  Tips of RED banded wands touching sound attenuators Arming Crew:

Perform missile check

 Pilot:

Give arming supervisor "thumbs up" if tone is heard.  "Thumbs down if no tone.

Night:  Same as signal 3 above
5.  Arming Supervisor:
Insert finger of one hand into clenched fist of other hand and give extracting motion

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 Touch tips of RED banded wands in front of body, laterally in a sweeping motion Arming Crew:

Remove bomb rack/pylon safety pins

 Arming Crew:

Shows pins to arming supervisor and clear immediate area.

Night: same as signal  3 above
6.  Arming Supervisor:
Give pilot "Thumbs Up" or "Thumbs Down"

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 Vertical sweep with RED banded wand Pilot:
Aircraft armed and all personnel and equipment clear		 Pilot:


Acknowledge with similar signal
Horizontal sweep with RED banded wand Aircraft down for weapons Acknowledge with similar signal
7.  Arming Supervisor/Observer:
Crossed arms overhead, fists clenched

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 Crossed standard RED wands held overhead Suspend all arming/safety operations on aircraft Suspend arming and await further instructions

Aircraft Safing Signals
Signal Meaning Response
Day Night
1.  Safing Supervisor:
Hands over head with finger tips touching

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 RED banded wands overhead with tips touching Pilot/Copilot/NFO:

Check all armament switches OFF or SAFE

 Pilot/Copilot/NFO:

Raise both hands into view of Safing supervisor after checking switch positions.  (Hands remain in view during safing)
2.  Safing Supervisor:
One hand over head; point to safing crewmembers with other hand

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 Same as day but with RED banded wands Safing Crew:

Safe weapons (as applicable)

 Safing Crew:

After safing give safing supervisor "Thumbs up" and move clear of aircraft

Night:
Vertical sweep with flashlight when safing is complete
3.  Safing Supervisor/Observer:
Crossed arms overhead, fists clenched

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 Crossed standard RED wands held overhead Suspend all arming/safety operations on aircraft Suspend safing and await further instructions

 

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