Tanks containing fixed cartridges or separate loaded propelling charges should also be handled carefully to prevent misalignment damage to the round or destruction of close tolerance dimensions. They maybe handled with roller conveyors, chutes, or trucks as long as precautions against shocks are observed. Care should be exercised to avoid denting the thin-walled body, opening the body seams, or loosening the top or bottom rings, thereby permitting exposure of the powder to the atmosphere.

Figure 2-30.-Mk 16 Mod 0 pallet adapter.

When a tank containing a fixed cartridge is dropped a distance of 5 feet or more, the tank and its contents should be set aside, carefully marked, and turned in to an ammunition activity at the first opportunity-or dumped in deep water-at the discretion of the commanding officer.

EXPLOSIVE COMPONENTS.- Fuzes, boosters, and detonators are loaded with explosives which are sensitive to shock, heat, and friction and must be handled with care at all times.

Every effort should be made to keep component containers sealed airtight when so packed and to limit their exposure to the atmosphere.

Containers of explosive blasting caps and fuzes should not be left uncovered and must be in the custody of authorized personnel at all time.

Wooden containers containing explosive components should be opened carefully using only approved spark-resistant tools. A wire, nail, or sharp instrument should NEVER be used to pry open the container.

SMALL ARMS.- It cannot be emphasized too strongly that inadvertent and improper use of small arms and small-arms ammunition has resulted in numerous casualties. Invariably, the basic cause of each casualty is carelessness.

Cartridge cases should not be polished Corrosion, moisture, and dirt, however, should be wiped off. The ammunition should be protected from shock, which might dent it or fire the primer.

Ammunition should not be broken down except to make necessary examinations or when preparing ammunition for target practice or action. Small-arms ammunition should not be opened until the ammunition is required for use. No reworking, overhaul, or modifying of any live-loaded ammunition or component is permitted on board ship.

SLINGS.- Bulk ammunition is most often moved in palletized loads. Slings are used to facilitate the movement of these standard-size loads by helicopter and underway replenishment. Aboard ship you will find a wide variety of slings for moving ammunition. The slings most commonly used for moving gun ammunition are the Mks 85, 86, 87, and 100. All of these are size variations of the same type of adjustable sling (fig. 2-3 1). These slings are adjustable for

Figure 2-31.-Adjustable pallet sling.

Table 2-3.-Certification Level Qualification Standards

different heights of pallets. The different versions are easily identified by the color-coded tubing attached to the cross bridal.

For more information on slings and other weapons-handling equipment, refer to Approved Handling Equipment for Weapons and Explosives, NAVSEA OP-2173, volumes 1 and 2.

EXPLOSIVES-HANDLING PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION (QUAL/CERT) PROGRAM

The requirements of the Explosives-Handling Personnel Qualification and Certification (Qual/Cert) program are defined in COMNAVSURFLANTINST 8023.4/COMNAVSURFPACINST 8023.5. The program consists of a series of certification levels, definitions of work tasks, and categories or families of explosive devices. Anyone who handles ammunition or operates ammunition-handling equipment must be certified under this program. Remember, this certification also pertains to gun mount and missile launcher operators.

An individual is trained and certified to perform specific work tasks on individual families of ordnance. Refer to tables 2-3, 2-4, and 2-5 for definitions of certification levels, work tasks, and a sample of families of explosive devices.

The key to the Qual/Cert program is documented training. In the past, ammunition handlers were arbitrarily certified without recorded training to substantiate the certification awarded. This method of certification is no longer the case. Your certification is worthless without documented training in your training record. Figure 2-32 shows a sample certification sheet for an individual certified to handle and stow small-arms ammunition, gun projectiles, and cartridge-case-type propelling charges at the team member level.

The Qual/Cert board is appointed in writing by each unit's commanding officer. Each board member, except the chairman, should be certified at or above the level to which he or she is allowed to sign on the certification sheet.