Cutline

Sam Lara, Code 6.2.3.6, works on rockets for the Naval Air Common Egress System (NACES) ejection seat for an F/A-18 aircraft. The rockets propel aviators out of their aircraft in nine-tenths of a second. Photo By Bill Bartkus

Depot passes ordnance inspection with “keep ‘em flying” colors

By Bill Bartkus
NADEP North Island

The Navy inspectors called it a flawless inspection, and they didn’t have any negative comments! Safety and Occupational Health at Naval Air Depot North Island can add another feather to its cap!
The Navy’s Ordnance, Safety and Security Activity conducted its biennial ordnance inspection and didn’t find any discrepancies in the plant, according to Mike Del Rosal, Code 8.4.4, the Depot’s explosives safety officer.
“The inspection was rather extensive,” Del Rosal said. “We first conducted a self-assessment as part of the inspection.”
There are 15 programs in the Naval Sea Systems Command instruction that govern ordnance inspections and each program has a certain number of stringent elements. “We have to abide by 10 of the programs,” said Del Rosal, “because the Depot doesn’t maintain ordnance aboard ships.”
Del Rosal manages, audits and helps to maintain the Depot’s explosives safety program. To help him operate the program his team includes George Lattuca, Code 6.4.2.2, Frank Kaparic, Code 6.2.3.6, and Aircrew Survival Equipment 1st Class (AW) Orlando Dayao assigned to the Test Line.
“The inspection is rather extensive,” said Del Rosal. “To prepare for the inspection team, the four of us examined the program to see how the Depot measured up. We reviewed the previous inspection to see where we went wrong, and over the years we have continuously improved.” On this last inspection, he noted that the inspectors didn’t see any discrepancies nor did they have any comments on needed improvements.
The inspection is a pass or fail type, according to Del Rosal. He said that the Depot had to pass a majority of the programs. If we failed a couple of elements within a program, the Depot would have failed that particular program, but not necessarily the inspection. If we failed a program that has been deemed to be of such a nature that it is vital, then we would have failed the whole inspection,” Del Rosal said.
He said, for example, that the inventory management program has six elements within it and is considered a vital program. “Had we failed three elements, we would have failed that program and the entire inspection.”
The programs included command administration and management; qualification certification; standard operating procedures; ammunition storage and magazines; operating building and production lines; lightening protection and grounding; explosive hazardous waste; and inventory management.
Del Rosal said that the key programs included inventory management, standard operating procedures, and qualification certification. “If the Depot had failed any one of these three programs, it would have failed the entire inspection. If the Depot had failed three elements within any of these three programs, we would have failed the entire program.”