Ordnance - Laser Guided Training Rounds (LGTRs

ORDNANCE STORIES

Laser Guided Training Rounds

By GySgt Christopher Watson

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeanette Mullinax

Recently, while performing research on practice bomb discrepancies in the All Weapons Integrated System (AWIS), I realized that there are a significant number of Conventional Ordnance Deficiency Reports (CODRs) involving Laser Guided Training Rounds (LGTRs). Upon further inspection, I noted that over half of these CODRs generated are due to complacency or lack of supervision. LGTRs are received with a wing nut and a cotter pin installed that are not removed until the weapons are loaded.

The wing nut and cotter pin are then re-installed before downloading the weapon from the aircraft. These safeties are installed because they inhibit the thermal battery from igniting and burning out which in turn ruins the weapon. These instances can be avoided by receiving recurring training, having proper supervision and following procedures. Recurring training is already a requirement in accordance with the qualification and certification instructions. This training is only required annually which, in reality, is not enough. Additional on-the-job training (OJT) is required for training to be sufficient.

Proper supervision involves a qualified individual on-site to identify any hazards or ensure that junior individuals are following procedures to accomplish the task.

I believe, with a qualified senior individual on-site, that these mishaps could have been avoided, as that individual would have noticed that the safeties were not installed before the weapon download occurred.

U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Janweb B. Lagazo

PROCEDURES ARE IN PLACE

FOR A REASON

Procedures are in place for a reason. We have technical publications, loading checklists and orders that give us instructions on how to correct a discrepancy or inspect and load a weapon. If these procedures are not followed, mishaps can and do happen.

I have heard throughout my career that: “These publications are written in blood.” This means that the publications were written because people were injured or died doing it a different way. Reinstalling these safeties on the LGTR, before downloading it, is a step in the download procedures. Complacency plays a significant role in compliance with procedures because the evolution has been performed so many times before.

The number of CODRs written on LGTRs is staggering. Over half of those CODRs were written because the proper procedures were not followed and this is worrisome.

Steps to alleviate this deficiency are to receive recurring training to augument required annual training, have proper supervision on-site to deter individuals from making bad decisions or missing steps in the checklists and to follow procedures that are there for your safety and others.