How you handle aviation ammunition depends on the time, place, and situation. The ammunition and explosives handling task is hazardous. Equipment is designed so you can safely handle ammunition in any given situation. This includes railroad, industrial, and automotive equipment used for transporting ammunition. It also includes equipment used to manually handle ammunition such as skids, pallets, carriers, and aircraft loading equipment.

    Often, the equipment you use to handle ammunition afloat and ashore is the same. However, differences in stowage accommodations, fixed installations, working areas, and space limitations require the use of equipment and techniques especially designed for the job. Regardless of the situation, only use the equipment designed for a particular task and approved by NAVSEASYSCOM/NAVAIRSYSCOM.

    You can identify the command having control over a particular item of ammunition handling equipment by the item designation. If the item is identified by Mark and Mod number designations, NAVSEASYSCOM controls it. If the item is identified by designations such as Aero, ADU, ADK, and HLK, NAVAIRSYSCOM controls it.

    The number and availability of different ammunition handling equipment configurations are extremely large. You can find a completed listing and description of approved handling equipment in Approved Handling Equipment for Weapons and Explosives, NAVSEA OP 2173, Volume 1 (NAVAIR 19-100-1.1) and Volume 2 (NAVAIR 19-100-1.2).