ABH Study Guide: Hand Tools, Equipment, and Naval Operations

Vocabulary terms and shipboard technical data derived from the ABH Study Guide and NAVAIR manuals, covering equipment, firefighting, history, and administration.

Screwdriver Blade

The end of a screwdriver that fits into the screw slot; for a proper fit, it should fill at least 75% of the slot.

Reed and Prince

A screwdriver with $45^{\circ}$ flukes and a sharper, pointed end, used for airframe structural applications.

Diagonal Pliers

Pliers used only for cutting small material such as wire or cotter pins; they should not be used for grasping objects.

Stillson

The most common adjustable pipe wrench, equipped with two jaws with serrated teeth for rotating round stock.

Ball Peen

The hammer most frequently used by the Aviation Boatswain's Mate - Handling (ABH) for working metals.

Hacksaw

A portable metal cutting tool that cuts on the push stroke only; blades must face away from the handle.

Johnson Bar

A longer and heavier wrecking bar used for damage control functions and on shore station crash trucks.

Bolt Cutters

Tools made in lengths of 18 to 36 inches capable of cutting mild steel bolts up to one-half inch.

Torque Wrench

A precision tool used to apply a definite force to a nut or bolt, measuring twisting force in inch or foot-pounds.

Chuck Key

A tool used to tighten the three-fingered manual chuck on a portable electric drill, usually secured 18 inches from the drill.

Needle Impact Scaler

An electric or pneumatic tool with needle-like attachments used to scale corners not reached by rotary scalers.

Micrometer Caliper

A measuring tool used when exact measurements are required, accurate to within $0.001\,\text{inch}$.

Dynamometer

An apparatus used for measuring force or energy, such as the breaking strength of flight or hangar deck padeye fittings.

Bowline

A knot used to secure tag lines during aircraft hoisting operations and for components of the MK-1 life preserver.

Sheave

A round, grooved wheel inside a block over which the rope runs.

Swallow

The opening through which the rope passes in a tackle block.

Fall

A rope, either manila or wire, reeved through a pair of blocks to form a tackle.

Gun Tackle

A tackle assembly made up of two single sheave blocks with a mechanical advantage of 2.

Small Stuff

Line less than $1\,3/4\,\text{inches}$ in circumference, designated by the number of yarns (threads) it contains.

Spring Lay

Flexible wire rope used for mooring wires that require a significant amount of handling.

TMU-70M

The Closed-Loop, Low-Loss Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Storage Tank used aboard ship to service aircraft LOX converters.

Drawbar Pull

The amount of force a tractor can exert, which is maximum on dry concrete and reduced on wet decks.

Spotting Dolly

Common name for the A/S 32A-32 Aircraft Towing Tractor, which has an overall height of only 30 inches.

Lugging

The condition in which an engine runs at a low speed with the throttle fully open, causing rapid wear or damage.

NWC-4

A universal polyurethane wheel chock approved for shipboard use on all aircraft; it must be visually inspected monthly.

TD-1A

A quick-release aircraft tiedown chain assembly with a safe working load of $10,000\,\text{pounds}$.

ALBAR

A word form meaning 'Adjustable Length Towbar,' currently designed in four standard lengths.

Foul Line

An alternating red and white striped line on the deck separating the landing area from the rest of the deck.

Barricade

Emergency recovery equipment consisting of nylon webbing and stanchions used for aircraft that cannot make a normal pendant landing.

Ground Resonance

A condition of geometric imbalance on helicopters caused by improper contact with the flight deck while rotors are engaged.

Fire Tetrahedron

A model including fuel, oxygen, temperature, and the chemical chain reaction necessary for flaming combustion.

Class B Fire

Fires involving gasoline, jet fuels, and oil; extinguished with AFFF, Halon 1211, PKP, or CO2.

Class D Fire

Fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium and titanium, extinguished with large quantities of water.

Flash Point

The temperature at which a liquid emits sufficient vapors to form an ignitable mixture with air.

JP-5

A kerosene-type fuel with a minimum flash point of $140\,^{\circ}\text{F}$ used for turbine engine aircraft aboard ships.

Aqueous Film-Forming Foam (AFFF)

A synthetic firefighting agent used in 3% and 6% concentrations; it is non-corrosive in concentrate form.

Halon 1211

A colorless gas used on Class B and C fires that extinguishes by chemically inhibiting combustion and breaking the fire chain.

Purple-K-Powder (PKP)

A dry chemical agent (potassium bicarbonate) used for liquid fires; it has corrosive and abrasive properties.

A/S 32P-16A

A firefighting vehicle designed to carry 375 gallons of AFFF solution and 400 pounds of Halon 1211.

A/S 32P-25

A self-propelled shipboard firefighting vehicle with a 750-gallon water tank and 60-gallon AFFF tank.

Bellybands

Universal aircraft fabric hoisting slings required in lengths of 20, 30, 40, and 50 feet.

Turtle

The first warfare submarine, completed by David Bushnell in 1775 and propelled by hand-driven screw propellers.

13 October 1775

The date authorized by the Second Continental Congress as the birth of the United States Navy.

Quasi War

An entirely naval war with France from 1798 to 1801 following worsened diplomatic relations.

Steam-Driven Warship

A technological era pioneered by Robert Fulton with the construction of the USS Demologos (USS Fulton).

USS Independence

The first ship-of-the-line used by the U.S. Navy.

USS Monitor

A Union ironclad from the Civil War noted for its revolving turret.

Standard Organization and Regulations of the U.S. Navy (SORN)

The manual providing standard administrative, emergency, and operational procedures for all Navy units.

Executive Officer (XO)

The direct representative of the CO who acts as the team leader for the Damage Control Training Team (DCTT).

Damage Control Assistant (DCA)

The primary assistant to the Damage Control Officer for firefighting and CBR defense.

Ground Tackle

The equipment used in anchoring and mooring, including anchors, chains, and stoppers.

Keel

The backbone of the ship's hull.

Strakes

Longitudinal rows of plates that form the ship's hull, including the keel, bilge strake, and sheer strake.

CVN

The alphanumeric designation for a multipurpose aircraft carrier with nuclear propulsion.

Empennage

The tail section of a fixed-wing aircraft fuselage containing the horizontal and vertical stabilizers.

Hazing

Conduct causing a military member to suffer cruel, abusive, humiliating, or demeaning activity without proper authority.

Quid Pro Quo

A form of sexual harassment where submission to unwelcome sexual behavior is made a condition of employment or career decisions.

Zebra

The material condition of readiness providing the greatest degree of watertight integrity and the maximum state of readiness.

Emergency Escape Breathing Device (EEBD)

A device designed for emergency evacuation that provides 15 minutes of breathable air.

Convection

The transfer of heat through the motion of circulating gases or liquids.

P-100 Pump

A diesel-engine-driven portable pump unit used for firefighting and limited dewatering.

Malaise

A primary symptom of biological disease characterized by a feeling of bodily discomfort and weakness.

Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP)

An intense electrical surge caused by a high altitude nuclear blast that affects electronic and electrical equipment.

Chancre

A painless sore that is the first clinical sign of syphilis.

Maintenance Index Page (MIP)

A PMS reference document listing all Maintenance Requirement Cards (MRCs) applicable to a specific system.

Screwdriver

A tool used for turning screws, available in various blade types for different screw types like Phillips or flathead.

Torque

A measure of the rotational force applied to an object.

Wrench

A tool used to provide grip and mechanical advantage in applying torque to turn objects.

Pneumatic Tools

Tools powered by compressed air, often used in construction and manufacturing for tasks like drilling and sanding.

Nail Gun

A type of tool that fires nails into wood or other materials, powered by compressed air or electricity.

Calipers

Precision measuring tools used to measure the distance between two opposite sides of an object.

Safety Data Sheet (SDS)

Documents that provide information on the properties of hazardous chemicals and safety precautions.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Clothing and equipment worn by workers to protect against hazards in their environment.

Electrical Wiring Diagrams

Schematic drawings showing the components and connections used in electrical circuits.

Grounding

The process of connecting an electrical system to the earth to ensure safety and prevent electrical shock.

Gasket

A sealing material used to prevent leakage between two surfaces.

Voltage

The electrical potential difference between two points, measured in volts.

Current

The flow of electric charge, measured in amperes.

Resistance

The opposition to the flow of electric current, measured in ohms.

Circuit Breaker

An automatic switch that stops the flow of current in a circuit when there is an overload.

Transformers

Devices used to transfer electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction.

Inspection Checklist

A list of items to be inspected or reviewed during safety compliance audits.

Forklift

A powered industrial truck used to lift and move materials over short distances.

Cranes

Heavy equipment used for lifting and moving large objects, often on construction sites.

Hazardous Location Equipment

Equipment designed for use in environments with flammable gases, vapors, or dust.