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Navy Rating · Aviation

ABH Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Aircraft Handling

Current service use not established

This code is listed in the directory. Inclusion alone does not confirm current service use.

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Overview

Aviation Boatswain's Mates, Aircraft Handling direct the movement, spotting, securing, launching, and recovery of aircraft ashore and afloat. They operate and maintain aircraft ground handling equipment, supervise divisional spaces, and perform crash rescue, firefighting, crash removal, and damage control duties.

Minimum ASVAB: VE+AR+MK+AS 161

ASVAB policy: Not policy-reviewed · coverage unknown · as of 2026-10-19

Program scope has not been reviewed.

Policy applicability and coverage of the program's score routes have not been reviewed. Shown-route arithmetic is not an eligibility decision.

Source: milpersman-1306-618-rating-list-2026-04 (source date 2026-04). Policy applicability has not been established.

See if you would hit this score: free ASVAB practice test

Core Skills

  • Aircraft movement, spotting, and securing
  • Aircraft moving and hoisting equipment maintenance
  • Aircraft crash rescue and firefighting
  • Aircraft launch and recovery support

Civilian Career Paths

Career associations are editorial assessments of the cited evidence, not an official crosswalk unless the evidence explicitly says so. O*NET supplies civilian occupation information, not proof of a military match. Related experience does not confer civilian qualifications. Tasks and tools below describe civilian work, not military training.

Firefighters

ABH crash rescue, firefighting, crash removal, and damage control experience transfers directly to fire and accident response.

How to prepare: Ask a target fire department to review your military training records and identify the recruit-academy training and local certification rules that would apply, including whether EMT certification is required and when it must be earned. Entry typically calls for a high school diploma and emergency medical services training, with age and driver's-license requirements plus written, physical, medical, and drug screening; entry-level firefighters receive academy training, so do not assume all credentials must be held before entering a recruit program.

What the civilian work involves
  • Rescue survivors from burning buildings, accident sites, and water hazards.
  • Respond to fire alarms and other calls for assistance, such as automobile and industrial accidents.

Airfield Operations Specialists

ABH experience directing aircraft movement, securing aircraft, supporting launch and recovery, and responding to crashes supports safe airfield operations.

How to prepare: Study civilian airfield inspection procedures and federal regulatory requirements, then practice documenting airfield conditions against an inspection checklist.

What the civilian work involves
  • Inspect airfield conditions to ensure compliance with federal regulatory requirements.
  • Implement airfield safety procedures to ensure a safe operating environment for personnel and aircraft operation.
  • Assist in responding to aircraft and medical emergencies.

Training & Development

Choose credentials for your target role. COOL funding markers describe program listings, not a guarantee of eligibility or funding.

Getting Started

  • ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    Use the FOE study guide to prepare for the examination and build knowledge of housekeeping, tool accountability, and material handling that supports airfield safety.

    Eligibility and preparation: No mandatory prerequisite credential, education, or experience; AET certification is not required for the FOE exam.

    For: Airfield Operations Specialists

Notes & Sources

Evidence for this guidance (7 documents)
  1. NAVPERS 18068F Vol I (NEOCS, Jan 2026 edition): AVIATION BOATSWAIN’S MATE (HANDLING) (ABH)

    [1] Rating chapter "SCOPE OF RATING"; cached text line 4252; NAVPERS 18068F Vol I, 2026-01 edition

    Supports: Aircraft movement, spotting, and securing, Aircraft moving and hoisting equipment maintenance, Aircraft crash rescue and firefighting, Aircraft launch and recovery support, Firefighters (O*NET 33-2011.00), Airfield Operations Specialists (O*NET 53-2022.00)

  2. O*NET: Firefighters

    [2] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Firefighters (O*NET 33-2011.00)

  3. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Firefighters

    [3] How to Become a Firefighter; Training; Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. Page updated September 14, 2026, inspected October 7, 2026.

    Supports: Firefighters (O*NET 33-2011.00)

  4. O*NET: Airfield Operations Specialists

    [4] O*NET 30.3 occupational data

    Supports: Airfield Operations Specialists (O*NET 53-2022.00)

  5. COOL credential mapping: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [5] ABH cached COOL credential feed

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

    [6]SpaceTEC Partners, Inc.: ASTM NCATT certification information, exam list, and FAQ · Background; Exams Offered (Aircraft Electronics Technician, AET Endorsements, Other ASTM NCATT exams); Frequently Asked Questions; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

  6. ASTM NCATT FOE Elements of Basic Awareness Study Guide (PDF, copyright 2022 ASTM International NCATT)

    [7] Scope (sec. 1) and Significance and Use (sec. 3); retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

  7. ASTM International: F3617-22 Standard Guide for Foreign Object Elimination (FOE) Elements of Basic Awareness and Personnel Certification

    [8] Standard detail page, designation and title; retrieved 2026-09-23

    Supports: ASTM NCATT Foreign Object Elimination (FOE)

Defense contractor jobs for ABH

Descriptions may be summarized for clarity. Verify all information with your branch career counselor or official military documentation before making career decisions.

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