PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-600
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 600
NOVEMBER 2002
PS 600
33
Combat Vehicle Ammunition
Check small arms ammunition stored in your combat vehicle regularly for con-
tamination with dirt, grit or debris. Keep the ammunition wiped clean, but do not
attempt to use oil, solvents, water or steel wool. Be especially careful that ammuni-
tion doesn’t get coated with oil or grease.
It’s the same story for larger ammunition stored in your combat vehicle. Check
your local SOP on unloading larger ammunition for a thorough cleaning and inspec-
tion.
When you clean, paint, grease, oil or wash inside your vehicle, either remove the
ammunition or take measures to protect it. Seal the vehicle tight when you hose
down the outside. Remove ammunition from floor storage on M2/M3-series
Bradleys before washing.
Remove ammunition from all vehicles before taking them to the motor pool
or other facility for maintenance.
Post a fire plan for evacuation of combat-loaded vehicles in the parking area. The
fire plan for uploaded combat vehicles will include provisions for a quarterly fire
drill for crews.
In cold weather, keep ammunition compartments closed as much as possible to
keep down condensation. During hot weather, open ammo compartments to allow
as much ventilation as possible. See your vehicle’s -10 TM and your weapon’s pubs
for more information on maintaining ammunition stored in combat vehicles.
NOV 02
Vehicles carrying ammunition must be equipped with two serviceable fire extin-
guishers, rated 10BC or higher. Fire extinguishers rated 1A,10BC are even better,
since they also handle paper and wood fires.
Maintain proper convoy distances when moving trucks loaded with ammunition.
When parked or stopped, maintain a distance of at least 10 meters between loaded
trucks. This will not keep a fire from spreading from one truck to another, but it will
allow maneuvering room in the event of fire.
The required checklist for all trucks
carrying ammunition is DD Form 626,
Motor Vehicle Inspection.
DD Form 836,
Shipping Paper and Emergency Response
Information for Hazardous Materials
Transported by Government Vehicles,
provides special instructions for motor
vehicle drivers. Placard ammunition-
loaded motor vehicles per DA Pam 385-
64; TM 38-410,
Storing and Handling of
Hazardous Materials;
and all local or
national requirements.
Make your load
off limits
to
riders, especially
smokers!
no
way,
no
how!
hey,
buddy!
you’re not the
only one
who
needs to know
what you’re
carrying!
Keep ammo closed up
during cold weather…
…but let air flow
during hot weather
I hope you
cleaned
and
inspected
that
ammo
first!
Maintain 10-meter distance between loaded trucks
Use proper
placards on
ammo-loaded
vehicles
600. 32-33 (C)
9/27/02
11:15 AM
Page 1
Back to TopBack to Top
