AST

Description

Aviation Survival Technician’s (AST) Inspect, maintain, and repair parachutes, survival equipment (including Coast Guard emergency medical technician equipment), flight and protective clothing, small arms and pyrotechnics, oxygen and fire extinguisher systems; instructs aviation personnel in the use and operation of parachutes, survival equipment and techniques, safety practices, and aviation ordnance handling; qualified in aircraft handling and aircraft handling equipment; practices and observes all safety precautions and practices; prepares and delivers formal presentations to a wide variety of civilian and military audiences; practices rescue swimmer techniques and manages the unit rescue swimmer training program; and uses computers to organize and maintain records. AST’s may be expected to fill aircrew positions such as HC-130 Dropmaster or Loadmaster, Sensor Systems Operator, HU-25 Dropmaster, Helicopter Basic Aircrewman, and Helicopter Rescue Swimmer. While in an Aircrew position an AST may find themselves being deployed into a myriad of challenging rescues ranging from hurricanes and cliff rescues, to emergency medical evacuations from ships at sea. Facilitate survival training such as swim tests, land/sea survival lectures and shallow water egress training. They can perform ground handling/servicing of aircraft, conduct routine aircraft inspections, and aviation administrative duties.