Aviation Boatswain's Mate	ABE	(Launch/Recovery)	ABE
	Aviation Boatswain's Mates play a major part in launching and recovering naval aircraft quickly and safely from land or ships. This includes preparing and fueling planes prior to take- off and after landing. They may specialize in launching and recovering aircraft on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, ABE; aircraft fueling and fuel systems, ABF; or aircraft handling, fire fighting and salvage and rescue operations, ABH. Later in their careers ABs can earn the advanced AB rating that requires supervision of all these individual specialties.

Aviation Boatswain's Mate (ABE's) also known as "Green Shirts" operate, maintain, and perform maintenance on steam catapults, barricades, arresting gear, and associated equipment ashore and afloat; operate catapult hydraulic systems, retraction engines, water brakes, jet blast deflectors, deckedge and ICCS, and jet blast deflector control panels; arresting gear engines, sheave dampers, deckedge control station, and associated equipment; perform aircraft handling duties related to the operation of aircraft launching and recovery equipment. It is known throughout the fleet that ABEs have one of the most rigorous ratings in the U.S. Navy. ABEs usually work long hours, sometimes without sleep. It is one of the toughest and most physically demanding jobs onboard a carrier.

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.

ABE - Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Maintenance and Administrative Operations Technician

Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Maintenance and Administrative Operations Technicians support the maintenance and administrative duties of all work centers. Controls maintenance requirement information concerning equipments status, operational requirements, workloads and QA programs. They assist the primary work centers with maintenance, maintain the tool control program and interface with supply for parts ALRE.

ABE - Arresting Gear Technician

Arresting Gear Technicians perform duties in the arresting gear and barricade equipment systems maintenance, operation and upkeep. The crew works with pressurized hydraulic and pneumatic equipment and utilizes precision and basic tools. They have a working knowledge of record keeping, tech libraries and planned maintenance system.

ABE - Catapult Technician
Catapult Technicians perform duties in the catapult maintenance, operation and upkeep of catapult equipment and systems. The crew works with pressurized hydraulic, steam and pneumatic equipment and utilizes precision and basic tools. They have a working knowledge of record keeping, tech libraries and planned maintenance system.

ABE is a sea-intensive community. Manning conditions at sea may require the need to request sea tour extension or shore tour curtailments to ensure all sea duty billets are filled.

Opportunities in this rating are good. At present, about 11,000 men and women work in the three AB specialties.

** Note: ABE, ABF, and ABH combine at paygrade E-9 to the rating of Master Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (ABCM).

ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 23, 2011) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Shannon Eck, from Youngsville, Penn., speaks to catapult crew members from the center deck operator manhole during an all-female catapult crew event aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Brian Morales/Released)

ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 26, 2011) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) Airman Apprentice Christopher Guthrie, left, and Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Anthony Chambers conduct a pre-operational check on a nose gear launch assembly aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility in support of maritime security operations and theater cooperation efforts. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Adam Randolph/Released)

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