Aviation Electrician's Mate
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| Aviation Electrician's Mate | |
|---|---|
| Name | Aviation Electrician's Mate |
| Abbreviation | AE |
| Service | United States Navy |
| Role | Aviation maintenance, electrical systems |
| Platforms | Naval aircraft, helicopters, unmanned systems |
Aviation Electrician's Mate Aviation Electrician's Mate is a United States Navy enlisted rating specializing in the maintenance, troubleshooting, and repair of aircraft electrical and electronic systems. Technicians work on power generation, lighting, ignition, communication, navigation, and flight control systems across fixed‑wing aircraft and rotary‑wing platforms while interfacing with aviation logistics, testing laboratories, and shipboard squadrons. Their duties support fleet readiness for carriers, air wings, helicopter squadrons, and joint operations with other services and allied forces.
Overview
Aviation Electrician's Mates serve within the United States Navy aviation community alongside ratings such as Aviation Electronics Technician, Aircrew Survival Equipmentman, and Aviation Machinist's Mate. They operate at shore commands like Naval Air Station Pensacola, Naval Air Station Norfolk, and Naval Air Maintenance Training Depot as well as aboard Nimitz-class carriers and Gerald R. Ford-class carriers. AE personnel interface with programs managed by Naval Air Systems Command, coordinated training overseen by Chief of Naval Operations, and testing conducted with agencies like Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division.
Duties and Responsibilities
AEs perform preventive maintenance, fault isolation, and component replacement on systems including generators and converters, harnesses, circuit breakers, and lighting arrays. They collaborate with aircrew from squadrons such as VFA-31, maintenance departments of Carrier Air Wing units, and inspectors from Naval Safety Center. Responsibilities include compliance with directives from Department of the Navy inventory management under Defense Logistics Agency policies and documentation for airworthiness reviewed by Commander, Naval Air Forces.
Training and Qualifications
Initial training begins at Recruit Training Command followed by technical schooling at locations like Naval Aviation Technical Training Center in Pensacola and Fleet Replacement Squadrons associated with F/A-18 Super Hornet, P-8A Poseidon, and EA-18G Growler communities. Advancement requires completion of Navy Occupational Specialty courses and credits from institutions like Joint Service Transcript and Community College of the Air Force equivalents; professional certifications overlap with civilian standards such as those from Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies. Candidates must meet medical standards regulated by Navy Medicine and security clearances processed through Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency for certain platforms.
Rank, Ratings, and Career Progression
AEs enter at enlisted ranks from Seaman to Petty Officer Third Class and advance through Petty Officer Second Class, Petty Officer First Class, Chief Petty Officer, Senior Chief Petty Officer, to Master Chief Petty Officer. Career paths include shore billets at Naval Air Station Lemoore, instructor roles at Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training, and leadership positions within Fleet Readiness Center maintenance depots. Senior AEs may be selected for programs managed by Naval Postgraduate School or assigned to joint billets coordinated by United States Central Command or United States European Command.
Equipment and Systems
AEs maintain electrical power generation and distribution equipment, wiring harnesses, avionics interfaces, and emergency power systems on aircraft models such as F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, MH-60R Seahawk, V-22 Osprey, E-2 Hawkeye, and C-2 Greyhound. They work with components sourced from contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, and Raytheon Technologies and follow technical manuals aligned with standards from Federal Aviation Administration guidance where applicable. Diagnostic equipment includes multimeters, oscilloscopes, and avionics test stations certified by organizations such as Underwriters Laboratories for laboratory settings at Naval Aviation Depot facilities.
Deployment and Operational Roles
Deployed AEs support carrier strike groups centered on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), and embarked Carrier Air Wing Five squadrons, as well as expeditionary squadrons on amphibious assault ships like USS Wasp (LHD-1). They conduct expeditionary maintenance in theater for operations coordinated with commands such as U.S. Central Command and participate in exercises including Rim of the Pacific Exercise, Operation Inherent Resolve, and Northern Edge. AEs also support humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions alongside units like United States Southern Command and international partners such as Royal Australian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
Notable Incidents and Awards
AEs have been recognized in incidents and award citations involving aircrew survival, accident investigations, and fleet maintenance excellence. Individual AEs and maintenance teams have received decorations referenced in citations to awards like the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, and unit awards such as the Navy Unit Commendation for actions aboard units including Carrier Air Wing Eleven and squadrons deployed on USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Investigations into aircraft mishaps involve collaboration with Naval Safety Center, Board of Inquiry, and support from laboratories at Naval Air Warfare Center.