The Right Gear Makes All The Difference

By CAPT Leslie Kindling, MSC, USN Force Aeromedical Safety Officer, Commander Naval Air Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet

Walking around in boots that cause blisters, wearing a flight suit that does not fit right, and having no means to urinate in the aircraft are significant distractions decreasing warfighter performance. Thankfully, you and your aircrew have options.

NAVAIR 00-35QH-2 (also known as the QH-2) provides the Aviation Life Support System (ALSS) Allowance List. It outlines responsibilities for squadrons and individuals regarding receipt, issue, custody, and accountability for flight clothing and operational equipment. The official source for this and all Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) technical manuals is the Naval Air Technical Data & Engineering Service Center (NATEC). Using your CAC, you can request access to NATEC’s Technical Data Website: https://mynatec. navair.navy.mil/natechome.htm.

The QH-2 provides the minimum authorization, but commanding officers may deviate from the minimum by establishing written policies specifying quantities of items to be issued to their aircrews. For example, a helicopter squadron CO may set a policy for all assigned aircrew to receive two-piece flight suits in place of one-piece flight suits. The CO may also set policy to offer bladder relief systems to aircrew who do not necessarily require one per CNAF Manual 3710.7 or the QH2. The CO’s ALSS Policy can also delineate optional items from the Naval Aircrew Systems Program Office’s (PMA-202) State of the Art (SOA) Catalog that will be issued to aircrew and maintainers. The current SOA Catalog can be accessed from PMA-202’s Website: https://pma202.navair.navy.mil/.

Per CNAF Manual 3710.7, a urinary relief system of the aircrew’s choice shall be made available to every aircrew, except for those flying in non-ejection platforms with onboard urinary relief systems. Considering the challenge various individuals have using the onboard relief tube, especially when wearing anti-exposure suits, I encourage you to discuss adding bladder relief systems to your CO’s ALSS Policy.

Per the QH-2, officer students in the Jet/E-2/C-2/F-35 pipeline will be issued a male or female AMXD-max Starter Kit unless they decline in writing. This was added in August 2023, and it will be some time before all jet aircrew have bladder relief systems. AMXD-max is the second generation of Omni’s Aviation Bladder Relief System. The Navy version of Omni’s third generation system, Skydrate, is approved for use across the Fleet under an Interim Flight Clearance with implementation into the Aircrew Systems NATOPS approved at conference 13 March 2024 (signed NATOPS expected late summer 2024). NSNs for Navy Skydrate are in work with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and will be distributed to the Fleet via an Aircrew Systems Advisory. AMXD-max and Navy Skydrate are not on the supply system shelves as DLA has not completed a contract with Omni. AMXD-max and Navy Skydrate are available through GSA, which has a current contract with Omni

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The Male and Female Skydrate System

To get the best flight suit fit, you need to know your options. Flight suits are available in three different cuts: unisex/male, misses, and womens. Unisex/male flight suits have a standard length zipper (Type I). Misses and womens flight suits are available in two different zipper lengths: standard (Type I) and extended (Type II). The extended zipper is intended to aid in using bladder relief devices. Unisex/male size range is 32 Short to 52 Long. Size range for misses (straighter at hip) and womens (additional ease at the hip) is 30 X-Short to 44 Long. The Aircrew Personal Protection Equipment (Clothing) Manual Volume 1, NA 13-1-6.7-2-010 WP 004 01, provides the NSNs for each size, cut, and type in both Green (Class 1) and Tan (Class 2).

A female’s foot is not a smaller version of a male’s foot, and womens boots take this into account. Womens boots account for a shallower big toe, more curved inner length, shorter outer length, narrower instep circumference, and higher arch. In the past, womens flight boots were only available through open purchase of SOA Catalog items. The August 2023 update of the QH-2 added womens brown boots sized 4N (NSN 01-694-2848) through 12 ½ XW (NSN 01-6943824). Mens brown boots are available in sizes 6N (NSN 01-694-4525) through 16XW (NSN 01-694-5011).

Pass this article along to your pregnant aircrew to help them work with the PRs and Flight Equipment Marines to ensure two properly sized maternity flight suits get ordered for them.

Per the QH-2 and Aircrew Systems Advisory 24-07, pregnant aircrew will be issued up to two additional maternity flight suits. The maternity flight duty uniform (MFDU) is a version of the basic CWU-27/P flight suit modified to account for pregnancy and is available from the stock system in 21 sizes. Size prediction charts and NSNs for the MDFU are provided herein. As I write this, more than 100 MDFUs in each size are on the shelves with the DLA.

Even with all the sizes and styles available through the stock system, custom fitting of flight clothing might be needed. Aircrew Personal Protection Equipment (Clothing) Manual Volume 2, (NA 13-1-6.7-2-020 WP 067 00), provides guidance for custom fits. Reach out to your Aeromedical Safety Officer (AMSO), Aeromedical Safety Corpsman (AMSC), or use the PMA-202 Website link above to connect with a Fleet Air Introduction Liaison Survival Aircrew Flight Equipment (FAILSAFE) Representative who will get the process started.

Do not hesitate to reach out to me, your nearest AMSO, AMSC, or the FAILSAFE T` eam at NAVAIR and at the Aviation Survival Training Centers with your flight gear questions.