Military

DISCUSSION

3. Lessons learned from joint operations have shown the need for, and numerous contingency plans require, non-USN/USMC helicopters to operate from USN ships for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), combat support operations, medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), personnel transfer, and logistic support.

4. While there is no intent to provide deck landing training for all USA and USAF helicopter pilots who may be required to conduct operations on USN ships, this agreement approves developing a combined training program to qualify selected USA and USAF helicopter pilots for certain contingencies.

GENERAL PROVISIONS

5. ISAs and implementing procedures promulgated in a Letter of Instruction shall be provided by appropriate Naval, Army, and Air Force commands within the guidelines contained in the following attachments.

a. General - Attachment 1.

b. Initial qualification and currency requirements Attachment 2.

c. Aircrew Requirements - Attachment 3.

d. Ship certification and waiver - Attachment 4.

e. Forecasting and scheduling - Attachment 5.

f. Cost responsibility - Attachment 6.

g. References - Attachment 7.

h. Glossary - Attachment B.

i. Sample letter of instruction - Attachment 9.

6. Waivers and exceptions to the provisions outlined within this MOU will be handled on a case by case basis between USN (OP-593) and USA (DAMO-TRS) or USAF (XOOTA). Requests for waivers or exceptions should ve routed through appropriate service command channels for action.

7. This MOU shall remain in effect until amended by mutual written agreement between the Deparment of the Navy, the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force or until terminated in writing by the Department of the Navy, the Department of the Army, or the Department of the Air Force.

GENERAL

1. All aviation operations shall be fully coordinated with each ship during a presail conference. Direct liaison is authorized (DIRLAUTH) between the ship and the participating US Army or US Air Force aviation unit.

2. Operations will be covered by an LOI published by the applicable US Navy type commander, and must be conducted IAW this MOU, the LOI, and references d thru j.

ATTACHMENT 1

INITIAL QUALIFICATION AND CURRENCY REQUIREMENTS

1. Single/dual (herein after referred to as single) spot ships:

a. Initial day qualification consists of:

(1) Flight training conducted by either a USA/USAF Deck Landing Qualification (DLQ) Instructor Pilot (IP) or a USN Helicopter Aircraft Commander (HAC) who is current on single-spot decks.

(2) Ground School training per Attachment 3, para 5.

(3) Six field deck landings prior to six single-spot shipboard landings, all within a ten consecutive day period.

b. Currency requirements: Four single-spot shipboard landings within 90 days.

(1) Pilots whose currency has lapsed, but have made four single-spot landings within the last 180 days, shall:

(a) Undergo training conducted by either a current DLQ Pilot-in-Command (PC) or DLQ IP.

(b) Perform four field deck landings prior to six shipboard landings, all within a ten consecutive day period.

(2) Pilots whose currency has lapsed and have not made 4 single-spot landings within the last 181 days shall undergo initial qualification training.

c. Night single-spot helicopter operations require significantly more training and specialized equipment than day operations and may not be conducted except for life-threatening emergencies or operational necessity. Requests for this type of training will not normally be approved. Exceptions will be handled on a case basis by USN (OP-593) and USA (DAMO-TRS), or USAF (XOOTA).

2. Multispot-spot ships (LPH/LHA/LHD):

a. Initial day qualification consists of:

(1) Flight training conducted by a USA/USAF IP or Unit Trainer (UT) who is day current or a current USN HAC.

(2) Ground School training per Attachment 3, para 5.

(3) Five day-field deck landings prior to five day-shipboard landings, all within a ten consecutive day period.

b. Day currency requirements: Four shipboard landings within the preceding nine months. Pilots whose day currency has lapsed shall undergo initial day qualification; requalification shall be conducted by a USA IP, UT or PC. USAF requalification shall be conducted by a USAF IP.

c. Initial night qualification:

(1) The pilot shall be day-qualified and current.

(2) Ground School training per attachment 3, para 4.

(3) Flight training shall be conducted by a night-current USA/USAF DLQ IP or USN HAC.

(4) Six night-field deck landings prior to six night-shipboard landings, all within a ten consecutive day period. Pilots must also comply with the 72 hour requirement of para 2d.

d. Night currency requirements: Six night shipboard landings within the preceding 90 days are required to maintain currency. If more than 72 hours have elapsed since the last night shipboard landing, one day shipboard landing shall be performed within 24 hours prior to the next night shipboard landing.

3. Pilots qualified on single spot ships are qualified on multispot ships, but the reverse is not true.

4. Aircraft Carriers (CV): Routine DLQ training and operations normally will not be conducted on CV class ships. operations on CV class ships will be on a case basis and require a special ground brief by US Navy personnel, or Army/Air Force personnel designated by the Navy to give the briefing. Pilots qualified and current on single and multispot-spot ships shall be considered qualified and current on CV class ships.

5. Pilots performing Logistics-over-the-shore (LOTS) or vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operations that involve external loads without a shipboard landing shall be deck landing qualified and current. Pilots scheduled to participate in LOTS/VERTREP operations must receive a familiarization of the designated ship by US Navy Personnel or a previously familiarized US Army IP/PC or US Air Force IP/FE.

ATTACHMENT 2

AIRCREW REQUIREMENTS

1. U. S. Army:

a. Pilots shall be qualified and current IAW AR 95-1.

b. PC shall be deck landing qualified and current.

c. The pilot performing the deck landing shall be deck landing qualified and current, except when undergoing training.

2. U. S. Air Force:

a. Pilots shall be qualified and current IAW AFR 60-1.

b. The aircraft commander shall be deck landing current and qualified.

3. USN DLQ Instructors:

a. Shall be a DLQ current Helicopter Aircraft commander (HAC).

b. Shall be authorized by HQ DA (DAMO-TRS) or HQ USAF (XOOTA) to perform instructor pilot duties.

4. Ground School Training:

a. USA/USAF aircrews shall receive instruction to familiarize them with the mandatory operational procedures and training requirements for shipboard helicopter operations.

b. The Ground School course shall include but not be limited to:

(1) Landing Signals (Ref (k))

(2) Deck Markings (Refs (d) and (e))

(3) Emergency Procedures (Ref (e))

(4) Communications/NAVAIDs (Refs (d) and (e))

(5) Fuel/maintenance Support and Procedures (Ref (d))

(6) Landing Patterns/Approaches and Ship Control Zones (Refs (e), (f), and (g))

(7) VERTREP Procedures (if applicable) (Ref (e))

(8) Presail Conference Procedures/LOI

ATTACHMENT 3

SHIP CERTIFICATION AND WAIVER

1. Waiver to conduct Army/Air Force helicopter operations is granted by Fleet Commanders, via Type Commanders (TYCOMs), on an individual basis.

2. Day VFR shipboard operations may be conducted by USA/USAF pilots on USN ships waivered for such operations.

3. Night VFR shipboard operations may be conducted by USA/USAF pilots on multi-spot ships waivered for such operations.

4. The Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume (reference(d))lists all USN ships (including CVs); describes and depicts aircraft landing, VERTREP and hover facilities, flight deck marking, and lighting arrangements; and indicates US helicopters for which deck certification is granted.

ATTACHMENT 4

FORECASTING AND SCHEDULING

1. In order for the Navy to program for sufficient resources over the long term, estimates for annual training requirements will be provided to the Fleet commanders by Headquarters, Department of the Army (DAMO-TRS) and Department of the Air Force (XOOTA) with copy to the Chief of Naval Operations (OP-593F).

2. Normal training requirements shall be submitted in time for inclusion in the Fleet Commanders' quarterly employment scheduling conference.

3. Unscheduled training requirements shall be handled on a case by case basis in accordance with procedures established by the Fleet CINC's.

ATTACHMENT 5

COST RESPONSIBILITY

1. The Navy shall schedule deck time to support USA/USAF DLQ training requirements. Demands for ship deck time beyond scheduled Fleet operations may require these ships services to be on a reimbursable basis.

2. The Army/Air Force shall provide the helicopters in which to conduct the training and will be responsible for helicopter operating costs.

3. Expenses for Navy personnel who are required to perform TAD/TDY in order to provide DLQ training for Army aviators/ Air Force pilots under the auspices of this MOU, will be borne by the US Army/US Air Force. When such travel is required, funding data shall be provided in advance of orders.

ATTACHMENT 6

REFERENCES

a. Unified Action Armed Forces (JCS Pub No. 2), October 1974.

b. Department of Defense Directive 4000.19, "Basic Policies and Principles for Interservices, Interdepartmental and Interagency Support Manual," October 1974.

c. Department of Defense Manual 4000.19 "Defense Retail Interservices Support Manual," October 1974.

d. NAVAIRENGCEN Pub 7576, "Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume" - Lists all aviation capable ships, deck markings, fuel navigation aids and support facilities for US helicopters.

e. NWP-42, "Shipboard Helicopter Operating Procedures" Standardizes ground, flight, and operating procedures for single/double deck ships.

f. NAVAIR 00-80T-106, "LHA/LPH NATOPS Manual" -Standardizes ground, flight and operating procedures for LHA/LPH ships.

g. NAVAIR 00-8OT-105, "Cv NATOPS Manual" - Standardizes ground, flight and operating procedures for CV ships.

h. Army General Provisions and Flight Regulations(AR 95-1).

i. CNO Washington, DC 191736Z April 1983, Subj: Mixing Aviation Fuels.

j. Air Force Regulation 60-1, Flight Management, 28 May 1985.

k. NAVAIR 00-80T-113, "Aircraft Signals NATOPS Manuals" - Standard shipboard aircraft handling signals.

ATTACHMENT 7

GLOSSARY

Ship Certification - Certification of ships is categorized by "levels" and "classes" of required helicopter support facilities. The "level" identifies the environmental conditions under which the helicopter is authorized to operate and the "class" identifies the type of operations permitted and services available from the host ship.

Waiver - Authority granted by appropriate commanders to conduct operations and/or training not routinely authorized.

Aircrew - Pilots and crew members required to operate a helicopter.

Deck Landing Qualification (DLQ) Instructor Pilot (IP), Unit Trainer (UT), Pilot-in-Command (PC) - An IP, UT, or PC qualified and current in deck landings and designated in writing by the Unit Commander for such operations.

Shall - Indicates a mandatory procedure.

Operational Necessity - This term applies to missions associated with war or peacetime operations in which the consequences of an action justify the risk of loss of aircraft and aircrew.

Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP)/Logistics over The Shore (LOTS) - Missions involving the carrying of external loads/cargo to ships in which a landing is not anticipated.

Field Deck Landing - Practice shipboard landings performed at a shore facility with markings representative of a shipboard landing facility.

Deck Landing Qualifications - Landings performed on board ships for the purpose of qualifying pilots and aircrew for shipboard operations.

Pre-Sail Conference - Coordination meeting between host ship and operating unit for safety and operational planning.

Single/Dual-Spot Ships - Those certified ships having less than three adjacent landing areas.

Multi-Spot Ships - Those certified ships having three or more adjacent landing areas.

ATTACHMENT 8

SAMPLE LETTER 0F INSTRUCTI0N

3120
Ser

From:     Commander, Naval Surface Force, U. S.__________Fleet
To:         Commanding Officer, USS Commander,

Subj: LETTER OF INSTRUCTION (LOI)

Ref:   (a) [CINC EMPLOYMENT SCHEDULE]
         (b) [SURFACE TYCOM DIRECTION TO CONDUCT US ARMY DLO'S]
         (c) MOU between the DON and DOA/DOAF
         (d) CNO Washington, DC 191736Z Apr 83 NOTAL

Encl: (1) Presail Conference Checklist

1. Summary. This LOI describes the concept of operations and assigns responsibility for Commanding officer, USS ________and assigned detachment from [US Army Command/US Air Force MACOM] for Deck Landing Qualification (DLQ) training exercises. This LOI is effective for planning for day/VFR operations. Night or IFR operations are not authorized.

2. Mission. USS ________will provide underway platform services in the conduct of DLQ training exercises (references (a) and (b) refer). Individual ship routine and exercises may be conducted consistent with attainment of DLQ training goals, safety, and operational security.

3. Concept of Operations. A detachment of helicopters from the US Army/US Air Force will conduct a series of DLQ training exercises consisting of day/VFR landings on the flight deck.

4. Command Relationships and Responsibilities:

a. COMNAVSURF ______is the officer-Scheduling-the-Exercise (OSE).

b. Commanding Officer, USS ________is assigned Officer-in-Tactical-Command (OTC) for scheduled DLQ training exercises and will coordinate with area/shore commands for appropriate OPAREA clearances. The host ship can provide limited administrative, logistics, material, maintenance and repair support. The OTC will ensure a flight deck safety/indoctrination brief is provided to US Army/US Air Force aircrews prior to the scheduled operations.

c. Officer-in-Charge of the [US Army helicopter detachment/US Air Force unit] is assigned as the Officer Conducting-the-Exercise (OCE) and is directed to conduct vigorous training exercises, pre-exercise training and planning, and to convene a presail briefing conference for major participants. The OCE will ensure prerequisites for shipboard helicopter operations are satisfied, will coordinate and supervise training exercises as they pertain to US Army/US Air Force helicopters and will conduct appropriate preflight briefs.

5. Army/Air Force Helicopter Operations:

a. Shipboard Prerequisites for Helicopter Operations:

(1) Army/Air Force training requirements and personnel qualifications to conduct deck landing operations (reference (c)) will be attained prior to actual helicopter DLQ training exercises.

(2) US Army/US Air Force helicopter detachment will initiate coordination for a presail conference approximately four weeks prior to actual operation. A Presail Conference Checklist is provided at enclosure (1).

(3) U.S. Army/U.S. Air Force helicopter detachment will provide and officer on board ship for liaison between the ship and helicopter aircrews during DLQS.

(4) Army/Air Force liaison officer will provide diagrams of pertinent aircraft depicting aircraft egress, fuel cell locations, tie down points, and desired wind envelopes for the HCO and crash/fire crew during the presail conference.

(5) Army/Air Force aircrew personnel will brief flight deck/fire party personnel on Army/Air Force helicopter orientation/safety requirements to include a walk through of the aircraft. Aircraft orientation can be conducted following the first landing per type aircraft during DLQ operations.

(6) The low flash point temperature of JP-4/Jet B fuel constitutes a severe fire hazard aboard ship. In addition, JP-4/JP-5 mixtures assume the characteristics of JP-4 even with very low percentages of JP-4. To minimize the JP-4 hazard aboard ship, one of the following procedures shall be followed prior to first shipboard operation (listed in order of desirability):

(a) Defuel aircraft completely and refuel with JP-5, or

(b) Burn down to minimum fuel and refuel with JP-5 at least five (5) times.

JP-8/Jet A may be substituted for JP-5 in above procedures for shipboard flight operations. However, JP-8/jet A still reduces the flash point to alevel unacceptable for hangaring. Therefore, aircraft shall not be hangared if JP-8/Jet A has been substituted. Fuels other than JP-5 shall not be defueled into ship fuel systems. In an emergency, such fuels must be discharged directly over the side. Reference (d) provides additional discussion of fuel hazards.

(7) Waiver authority to conduct US Army/Us Air Force aircraft operations on US Navy ships must be granted by [FLEET CINC]. [SURFACE TYPE COMMANDER] will initiate the waiver request and inform all units concerned.

(8) Supported US Army/US Air Force units shall be familiar with pertinent US Navy shipboard aviation manuals:

(a) NAEC-ENG-7576 (Shipboard Aviation Facilities Resume); shows deck markings/ship profile.

(b) Pertinent sections of NWP-42 series (Shipboard Helicopter Operat-ing Procedures Manual): Launch/Recovery Procedures, Air Traffic Control, Aviation Fueling, General Helicopter Operations.

(9) Field deck landing requirements can be accomplished at Army/Air Force unit's home station if field deck markings are per Naval Air Engineering center specifications (available from [SURFACE TYPE COMMANDER]). Use of U. S. Naval field deck landing facilities at NAS Norfolk, VA, NAS Mayport, FL, NALF Imperial Beach, CA or NAS Barbers Point, HI, may be requested. Ample lead time (3-4 weeks) is required to ensure reservation for use.

6. Administrative/Logistics. The OCE (US Army detachment/US Air Force Unit Officer-in-Charge) is responsible for coordinating and arranging shore based administrative and logistics support. This support includes, but is not limited to, those suggested in item 22, enclosure (1).

7. Safety Reports. Actions to be taken in the event of aircraft mishap/incident will be per OPNAVINST 3750.6 (The Naval Aviation Safety Program). Initial message notification of aircraft mishap/incident will include as an information addressee, the [cognizant U. S. Army Headquarters: MESSAGE ADDRESS] or U. S. Air Force Headquarters: HQ USAF WASHINGTON DC //XOO//

ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF              
AVIATION                                   

Copy to:
GROUP
SQUADRON
Participating Army/Air Force Unit(s)

ATTACHMENT 9