What is an aviation survival technician in the Coast Guard?

What is an aviation survival technician in the Coast Guard?

The Aviation Survival Technician’s (AST) primary responsibilities are to inspect, service, maintain, troubleshoot, and repair: cargo aerial delivery systems, drag parachute systems, aircraft oxygen systems, helicopter emergency flotation systems, portable dewatering pumps, air/sea rescue kits, and special-purpose …

How many ASTS are in the Coast Guard?

How hard is it to become an AST? Out of the 75 – 100 Coast Guard personnel that attend training, only around 40 – 50 will graduate and become rescue swimmers. In rare cases, the attrition rate has been 80%.

Where is USCG AST a school?

Elizabeth City
They are trained at the U.S. Coast Guard’s enlisted Aviation Survival Technician/Rescue Swimmer school at Coast Guard Aviation Technical Training Center, Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

What does a BM do in the Coast Guard?

Boatswain’s Mates are masters of seamanship. BMs are capable of performing almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, navigation, and supervising all personnel assigned to a ship’s work force or small boat station.

What does AST mean in Coast Guard?

Trained to operate in a variety of maritime environments, ASTs are highly conditioned rescue and survival experts, as well as highly capable aviation life support equipment technicians.

What is a bosun’s mate?

Definition of boatswain’s mate 1 : an assistant to the boatswain. 2 : a petty officer in the U.S. Navy whose specialty is seamanship and who has supervisory duties in the operation of the deck force and the maintenance of equipment.

What does MK mean in the Coast Guard?

Machinery Technician
As one of the Coast Guard’s largest ratings, Machinery Technician (MK) offers opportunities for assignment at every Coast Guard cutter, boat, and shore station.

Did Coast Guard serve in Vietnam?

In all, 8,000 Coast Guardsmen served in Vietnam. Their efforts curtailed maritime smuggling and enemy infiltration, saved hundreds of lives, and proved vital to the U.S. war effort in Vietnam.

Is first mate higher than bosun?

“The biggest difference between the bosun and the first mate is the first mate is obviously higher up in the hierarchy,” Berry told Showbiz Cheat Sheet. “And [the first mate] generally has twice as much experience as the bosun.

What does BM1 mean in the Coast Guard?

A boatswain’s mate (BM) is the most versatile member of the Coast Guard’s operational team, and a master of seamanship. BMs are capable of performing almost any task in connection with deck maintenance, small boat operations, navigation, and supervising all personnel assigned to a ship’s deck force or shore unit.

What does WLB mean Coast Guard?

Seagoing Buoy Tender
USCGC HOLLYHOCK (WLB-214) Characteristics The Coast Guard’s 225 foot Seagoing Buoy Tender (WLB) fleet was acquired to replace the WWII-era 180 foot Coastal Buoy Tenders.

What rank is a bosun’s mate?

Duties