department. Other parts of the administrative
department include the following:
Personnel office
Educational services office
Public affairs office
Legal office
Safety Department
The safety department is responsible for all
squadron safety program matters. This department is
usually divided into the following:
Ground safety.
Aviation safety.
Naval Air Training and Operating Procedures
Standardization (NATOPS) divisions. (The
NATOPS division makes sure standardized
procedures are followed in the operation of the
squadron’s aircraft.)
Operations Department
The operations department is responsible for the
operational readiness and tactical efficiency of the
squadron. The operations department usually consists
of the logs and records, schedules, training,
communications, and navigation divisions.
Maintenance Department
The maintenance department is responsible for the
overall maintenance of the squadron’s aircraft. The
maintenance department is usually divided into the
following divisions:
Maintenance/material control
Quality assurance
Maintenance administration
Aircraft, avionics/armament, and airframes
divisions
BRANCH OFFICER
A division on a ship is divided into watches or
sections or both. In an aircraft squadron, the divisions are
divided into branches. Each branch is headed by a branch
officer. In aircraft squadrons, the branch officer is the
officer with whom you will have the most direct contact.
The branch officer is directly responsible to the
division officer. The branch officer has the same
responsibilities for the branch that the division officer
has for the division.
Making frequent inspections of branch
personnel, spaces, equipment, and supplies.
Making sure branch tasks are completed in a
timely manner.
REVIEW 4 QUESTIONS
Q1. List the four departments usually found in an
aircraft squadron.
a.
b.
c.
d.
Q2. The safety department is responsible for the
squadron safety program. What are the main
divisions in this department?
a.
b.
c.
Q3. What is the responsibility of the operations
department?
6-13
Student Notes:
