In Naval aviation, there are several different stages of maintenance that are required to service and repair aircraft. The Commander of Naval Air Forces (COMNAVAIRFOR) implemented The Naval Aviation Maintenance Procedures (NAMP), which provides policy and guidance for all components within naval aviation. Within the NAMP are three levels of maintenance that provide a crucial role in maintaining aircraft. The three levels of maintenance, organizational, intermediate, and depot, make up the complex repair organization that ensures safe and reliable aircraft.
Organizational level maintenance is at the squadron level. A squadron generally consists of twelve combat ready aircraft that are worldwide deployable. The maintenance performed at this level consists of maintaining assigned aircraft by removal and replacement of defective aeronautical equipment, servicing aircraft systems, and performing all scheduled and non-scheduled inspections. Their daily goal is to provide full mission capable aircraft and try to improve on local maintenance procedures. The unique characteristic of a squadron is the ability to move operations easily. All of the equipment is portable so they can operate from a land base one day, and the next day operate from an aircraft carrier.
Intermediate level maintenance provides support to the squadrons. Any faulty repairable components that are removed from the aircraft are sent to the Intermediate Maintenance Activity (IMA) to be repaired. They can do minor tear down and rebuild of the components and perform all testing procedures and issue back to the squadron for installation. They provide technical services like non-destructive inspection (NDI), aeronautical welding, and instrument calibration services, as well as maintain and distribute all ground support equipment. The IMA is located at a centralized location and is non-deployable.
Depot level maintenance provides support to both the squadron and the IMA. They are...