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WHAT IS A
NAVAL AEROSPACE AND
OPERATIONAL PHYSIOLOGIST (NAOP)?
NAOPs educate all prospective and designated aviators, aircrew, and other fliers in the physiological aspects of flight and survival. NAOPs are subject matter experts in human factors and physiological threats related to the flight environment, physiological elements which enhance mission performance, mitigation factors that prevent mishaps, procedures for surviving mishaps and hostilities, application of aircrew systems, and procedures for emergency egress and rescue. NAOPs also perform duties that involve flying as aircrew.
“As Medical Service Corps Officers we support the Chief of Naval Operation's (CNO's) design for maintaining Maritime Superiority by addressing both "operational and warfighting demands", while also playing a vital role in "generating ready forces to meet those demands". We are healthcare scientists who maximize the readiness and performance of the human as a weapons system to deliver combat and fighting power where ever and whenever needed. Our skill sets can translate across the sea, air, and ashore capabilities of the Navy. “
--CAPT Littel
OUR MISSION
The mission of the Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology Program (NAOPP) is to
provide aerospace and expeditionary force health protection that enhances mission readiness,
operational effectiveness, mishap prevention, and warfighter survivability through research,
training, education, operational safety, requirements generation, and systems acquisition services.
In 1994, the CNO appointed BUMED as the Training Agent (TA) for the Naval Aviation Survival Training Program (NASTP). As the role of the Naval Aerospace Physiology expanded to human performance enhancement for non-aircrew personnel, the name was changed in 2007 to Naval Aerospace/Operational Physiologist and new billets with the Fleet Marine Force were established. This resulted in the addition of the Operational Physiology Program Element.
NAOPP HISTORY
Since World War II, Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiologists (NAOPs) have supported the operational readiness of the Navy's warfighters through education, training, aeromedical and human performance support, acquisitions, and research, development, test and evaluation (RDTE&E).
The Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED) established
the NAOPP in 1978 to comply with the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) task to provide support to the Aircrew Survivability Enhancement Program.
Aerospace Physiologists and their assistants had historically participated in the aeromedical/survival training of Naval Aviation personnel and in the development and introduction of aircrew systems (particularly aircrew personal protective equipment).
In the late 1970s, the role of the Aerospace Physiologist expanded to provide support to the Naval Aviation Safety Program, primarily through the establishment of the Aeromedical Safety Officer (AMSO) Program.
The NAOPP provided the central management necessary to support these diverse functions. The Naval Aviation Physiology Program Planning Committee (NAP3C) was established in 1981 to provide a steering council of senior aerospace physiologists for strategic planning and program management.
PROGRAM ELEMENTS
The Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiology Program (NAOPP) consists of five inter-department elements necessary to meet fleet requirements:
Naval Aviation Survival Training Program (NASTP)
Provides qualification to prospective and designated aeronautical personnel, project specialists, and other
authorized individuals in the aeromedical aspects of flight and survival.
Operational Physiology Program
Provide specialized consultation, assistance, technical liaison, evaluations, training, education, and recommendations to inform warfighter requirements
in direct support to non-aviation forces.
Aeromedical Safety
Provides organic, specialized consultation, assistance, technical liaison, evaluations, training, and education across the Naval Aviation Enterprise..
Fleet Air Introduction and Liaison of Survival Aircrew Flight Equipment
(FAILSAFE) Program
Augments acquisition teams with specialized aeromedical and aviation maintenance support.
System Acquisitions and Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation (RDT&E)
Streamlines
requirements generation and acquisition strategies necessary to deliver and sustain aircrew training and aviation life support systems.
Naval Aerospace and Operational Physiologists (NAOP) utilize their education as applied scientists to develop, test, and improve technology and techniques that optimize human performance, so that naval aircrew personnel, Sailors, and Marines can safely and effectively execute mission critical tasks that span the spectrum of military operations.
NAOPs train in areas of aviation physiology, sensory physiology, acceleration physiology, human performance, life support and survival equipment function, ejection/egress procedures, parachute descent procedures, and extended sea survival.
Naval Research
Release The "KRAKEN"
OUR CREED
I am a Naval Aerospace Physiologist, and an officer in the world's greatest Navy. I shall keep faith with my warrior brethren by my own courage, honor, and commitment to preserving the lives of Naval and Marine Corps airmen. My mind and my science are my weapons. I will provide survival training so my Countrymen may live. I will provide the best in aviation life support and human factors expertise. Knowledge and inquiry are my on-going quest. As a scientist, part of a great Navy Medical team, I shall do all within my power to give my shipmates the tools and knowledge to fight, fly, and win.
