Altor guide · 2026-09-27

AFMAN 24-604 help for contractors: the signature stays with the company

The freight is on a defense contract and the routing is military air. Someone at the company still has to certify it. That is the search for AFMAN 24-604 help for contractors. The company prepares the shipment, and a company employee signs.

What the regulation actually requires

AFMAN 24-604, dated 6 June 2025, is Preparing Hazardous Materials for Military Air Shipments, joint as TM 38-250, NAVSUP PUB 505, MCO P4030.19, and DLAI 4145.3. It supersedes the 9 October 2020 edition. It applies to Department of Defense personnel, including contractors, moving regulated hazardous materials on military aircraft and on commercial aircraft operating under DOT-SP 7573 or DOT-SP 9232 inside the Defense Transportation System.

Paragraph 1.2.7 has the requiring activity tell the contracting officer when hazardous materials are in the requirement, so the appropriate clauses go into the contract. DAFMAN 24-210, dated 27 May 2026, paragraph A2.1, has the covered components specify packaging and labeling in the solicitation and the contract on a UN performance oriented packaging basis unless the material is excepted or headquarters directs otherwise, and identify modal rules during procurement. Military air under that manual follows AFMAN 24-604.

FAR 23.304(a)(1) inserts FAR 52.223-3, Hazardous Material Identification and Material Safety Data, February 2021, when the contract will require delivery of hazardous material as FAR subpart 23.3 uses that term. The offeror lists the material. Paragraph (f) leaves safety responsibility with the contractor. Paragraph (g) leaves the contractor subject to applicable law. The clause is not the Shipper's Declaration. Attachment 17 is where that declaration is completed.

Glossary preparers are Department of Defense personnel who sign legally binding documentation. Paragraph 1.2.10 defines them. Paragraph 1.2.6.2, under Installation or Activity Commanders, appoints them as certifying officials and records the scope of authority and the Attachment 25 training level in writing, electronically, or another auditable way. A25.3 authorizes those preparers to certify according to paragraph 1.2.6.2. A25.3.1 courses are for Department of Defense personnel under the interservice hazardous materials training memorandum of understanding. A deviation from that agreement invalidates the course for this manual. The company's certifying employee signs a contractor shipment under A25.8.

A25.8 is titled Non-DOD Personnel Certifying Hazardous Material Shipments. The index entry is Contractor Personnel Certifying. Those employees prepare the shipment to this manual, keep responsibility for that preparation, and certify it. The Department of Defense does not require the Attachment 25 courses. Training may be 49 CFR Part 172 Subpart H, the IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations, or the ICAO Technical Instructions, covering general awareness, function specific duties, safety, and security related to military air. People who want the Attachment 25 courses contact the contract administration office.

172.704(c)(2) requires recurrent training at least once every three years. Paragraph 172.704(d) requires the employee's name, the most recent training completion date, a description, a copy, or the location of the training materials, the name and address of the person providing the training, and certification that the employee has been trained and tested. The record does not add a line for military air duties. A25.8 requires those subjects in the training itself. A25.5, initial training and a refresher every 24 months, stays with the Department of Defense levels listed there.

Attachment 2 starts with training under paragraph 1.3 and Attachment 25, then identification from the Hazardous Materials Information Resource System, the safety data sheet, or the manufacturer's information. Table A4.1 supplies the proper shipping name, the class, the UN or ID number, the packing group when one is assigned, the special provisions, and the packaging paragraph. In the glossary, packers package hazardous materials and do not sign legally binding documents.

An ICAO, IATA, or 49 CFR certification is allowed when the A17.1.2 conditions that apply to that aircraft are met, including the P-code for that aircraft. A17.1.2.1 requires compliance with the certifying document. A17.1.2.2 requires the standard commercial Shipper's Declaration. A17.1.2.3 assigns P5 for passenger and cargo aircraft. A17.1.2.4 assigns P4 for cargo aircraft only. P5 and P4 are alternatives. A17.1.2.5 points to A17.2.6 for multiple mode shipments. Table A17.1 Key 22 requires the certifying official to sign after personally inspecting the item.

The mistake people make

The award is treated as the certification. Paragraph 1.2.7 can be finished while Attachment 17 is still blank. FAR 52.223-3 lists the material. The declaration is still unsigned.

A current IATA card or 49 CFR certificate is treated as Attachment 25. A25.8 allows that training and still requires the military air subjects in the course. The completion date does not create the paragraph 1.2.6.2 appointment, and it does not start the 24 month refresher in A25.5.

The form then waits on a Department of Defense preparer, a forwarder, a consultant, or an aerial port inspector. Paragraphs 1.2.6.2 and 1.2.10 appoint and define Department of Defense preparers. The company's certifying employee signs under A25.8. Key 22 requires that official to sign after personally inspecting the item. People who want the Attachment 25 courses contact the contract administration office. The name on the form is the person who prepared it.

Where AFMAN 24-604 help for contractors starts

Confirm the paragraph 1.2.7 notice and DAFMAN 24-210, paragraph A2.1, in the award, then prepare to AFMAN 24-604, 6 June 2025. Name the employees who prepare and certify under A25.8. On a 49 CFR program, keep the 172.704(d) record and the three year cycle in 172.704(c)(2). A25.3.1 remains the Department of Defense course.

Follow Attachment 2 through Table A4.1, and package to that table's packaging paragraph when the certification is to this manual. For an ICAO, IATA, or 49 CFR certification, meet the A17.1.2 conditions that apply to that aircraft, including P5 or P4. Inspect the package, then sign. The name on the form is the person who prepared it.

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