MAINTENANCE RESOURCES
Repair of meteorological or oceanographic
equipment can be accomplished through a variety of
sources, depending on the severity of the problem.
Meteorological and oceanographic equipment is
usually maintained and repaired by electronics
technicians that have completed Meteorological
Equipment Maintenance (METEM) training. These
technicians are stationed at most sea and shore
commands with weather support facilities. Equipment
problems beyond the capability of local technicians
may be referred to civilian Field Technical
Representatives (FTRs) based at major fleet
concentration centers, such as Norfolk, Virginia, and
San Diego, California. The contractor for a specific
piece of equipment may also provide technical
assistance.
3-M SYSTEM
The 3-M System provides support for all shipboard
equipment, including all meteorological and
oceanographic equipment. Equipment used ashore that
is identical to shipboard installed equipment with Ships’
3-M Planned Maintenance System (PMS) support will
be maintained using existing PMS coverage. The 3-M
System includes both the PMS and the Maintenance
Data System (MDS).
The PMS uses maintenance requirements cards
(MRCs) to provide detailed step-by-step instructions
for preventive maintenance on a particular equipment
system. The main purpose of the Planned Maintenance
System is to ensure that routine maintenance is
completed as required and that maximum equipment
operational readiness is achieved. This will help
prevent major equipment breakdowns. When
breakdowns do occur, shipboard personnel are called
first to repair the equipment. All repair actions are
documented in the 3-M System with formatted reports.
Further information on the shipboard 3-M System is
provided in OPNAVINST 4790.4, Ships' Maintenance
and Material Management (3-M) Manual.
NAVMETOCCOMINST 4790.2, Maintenance and
Material Management (3M) Systems Policies and
Procedures, provides detailed guidance on PMS and
MDS unique to Naval Meteorology and Oceanography
Commmand (NAVMETOCCOM) activities.
Q55.
Q56.
Q57.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
What information should be entered in an
equipment outage logbook?
Which personnel are primarily responsible for
routine maintenance and repair of
meteorological and oceanographic equipment?
What is the main purpose of the 3-M system?
SUMMARY
In this chapter we have discussed the equipment
commonly used to conduct a surface aviation weather
observation. Although your unit may not have some of
this equipment, you should be able to identify the
purpose of each piece of equipment. More importantly,
you should be able to identify the reference manuals that
provide the necessary instructions on the operation and
maintenance of each equipment system. We strongly
recommend that you review the operator manuals for
each equipment system or major component in use at
your command.
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