HERO EMISSION CONTROL (EMCON) BILL

Ordnance items classified as HERO unsafe are protected from electromagnetic radiation by putting them in a completely enclosed all-metal container.

NOTE: Ordnance in a wooden or plastic container or on a metal pallet is as exposed as if the container or pallet were not there.

HERO-unsafe ordnance should NEVER be exposed to an RF environment. However, the requirement for assembly, disassembly, handling, loading, and unloading exposes ordnance to some degree. If exposure cannot be avoided, ordnance should be exposed only in essentially RF-free designated regions, such as below deck or in RF-shielded buildings.

The commanding officer is responsible for making sure that HERO-unsafe ordnance is not handled in RF environments. Sometimes operational commitments require HERO-unsafe ordnance to be exposed to RF environments, such as the flight deck, hangar deck, or weather decks. A degree of relief from HERO RF restrictions is obtained by following the command HERO EMCON bill.

The HERO EMCON bill depends upon two factors-(1) the amount and type of ordnance that is involved, and (2) a knowledge of the RF environment at locations where presence, handling, and loading occur.

The HERO EMCON bill contains a list of all HERO-susceptible and HERO-unsafe ordnance items on board and their allowable RF environmental levels. It also includes a list of all transmitter-antenna combinations on board and their output power. By reducing or securing certain transmitter-antenna combinations, allowable RF environmental levels can be maintained

Normally, to ensure that proper conditions are met in a given ordnance-handling situation, two actions are taken;

1. All onboard transmitters are listed.

2. The action each operator is to take when a given HERO EMCON condition is set.

For example, in HERO condition 1, a transmitter operator may switch the transmitter to STANDBY. In HERO condition 2, the same operator may restrict transmission to 100 watts, or perhaps there is no transmission restriction at all.

The AO is the most important factor in avoiding a HERO-unsafe situation. You determine if an ordnance item is HERO safe, HERO susceptible, or HERO unsafe. Before moving a HERO-unsafe item from an RF-free environment, you must request, through strike operations or ordnance control, the proper HERO condition. You make sure that the ordnance item remains in an RF-free environment until the word has been passed that the proper HERO condition has been set.

For detailed information concerning all aspects of electromagnetic radiation hazards, refer to Electromagnetic Radiation Hazards, NAVSEA OP 3565/NAVAIR 16-1-529, volumes I and II.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recognize the importance of safety precautions when working with ordnance.

Accidents caused by explosives are prevented by preplanning, ordnance training, and carefully handling ordnance. The phrase "The life you save may be your own" is a good one, especially when you handle ordnance. It is your responsibility to make sure that safe, approved practices and procedures are used when you handle ordnance.