Compléter Navy Aviation Boatswain MateVersion en ligne fill in the text par Laure Hauwaert 1 takeoff dangerous outdoors catapults landing handling deck rescue Aviation Boatswain's Mates play a major part in launching and recovering naval aircraft quickly and safely . It includes aircraft preparation and fueling before and after , as well as fire - fighting and operations . Later in their careers , ABs can earn the advanced AB rating that supervises all of the individual specialties . The aviation boatswain's mate that specializes in performs the following duties : Supervises the movement , spotting , and securing of aircraft and equipment . Performs crash rescue , fire fighting , crash removal , and damage control duties in connection with launching and recovery of aircraft . Maintains and performs organizational maintenance on hydraulic and steam , barricades , arresting gear , and arresting gear engines . Operates catapult launch and arresting consoles , firing panels , water brakes , blast deflectors , and cooling panels . Most of the work in this rating is performed on the of aircraft carriers , in all climatic conditions , in fast - paced and often potentially environments .