DD Form 1348 (6 PT) is the go-to form for documenting aviation fuel issues afloat.

DD Form 1348-6: The Afloats’ Paper Trail for Aviation Fuel

If you’ve ever watched a carrier deck in action, you know there’s a lot more to fuel than “fuel.” There’s flow, timing, safety checks, and yes, a careful trail of paperwork. On ships and air-capable platforms, the form you’ll see in the hand-to-hand transfer of aviation fuel is the DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT). This isn’t a flashy spreadsheet on a computer screen; it’s a sturdy, six-part paper trail that keeps every drop accounted for and every operation shipshape.

What form is used, and why this one?

Let’s start with the basics. In the afloat environment, when issues arise with aviation fuel—whether it’s a discrepancy, a transfer, or a receipt—the DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) is the standard reference. It’s designed for manual processing, where sailors and officers log, verify, and sign off on fuel transfers and related adjustments. That six-part layout isn’t an afterthought. It’s built to capture all the critical details in one durable document, so there’s no ambiguity when you’re tallying up inventories or tracing a leg of the supply chain.

The 6 PT (six-part) designation matters. Each part of the form serves a specific role, from the issuing unit to the receiving activity, to the records kept back in the supply office. This multi-part approach ensures that every action—quantity, fuel type, lot numbers, dates, and signatures—finds a place in the official record. The result? Clear accountability, faster audits, and a safer operating tempo.

How it differs from other forms

You’ll hear a few other names tossed around in the logistics world—Aviation Fuel Log, OPNAV 3760/32B, or even the term “FLIGHT” in casual chats. Here’s the quick distinction:

• Aviation Fuel Log: Useful for broader fuel tracking, but it isn’t the standard document used specifically to record the issues of aviation fuel in afloat, hand-to-hand situations. It’s part of the bigger picture, not a substitute for the precise transfer documentation.

• OPNAV 3760/32B: This form has its own niche in naval supply and maintenance records. It’s important, but it serves different reporting needs and isn’t the designated tool for documenting fuel issues afloat in the same way as the DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT).

• FLIGHT notation: Not a standardized form for this purpose. It’s more about shorthand or communications in some contexts, not the official record that accompanies the fuel issue process.

So why use the DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT)? Because it’s explicit, well-established, and accepted across fleets. It’s designed to handle the transfer of supplies and equipment, including aviation fuel, with a level of detail that supports safety, accountability, and operational integrity.

What goes on the form (the essentials)

If you’re filling one out, you’ll want to be crisp, accurate, and organized. Here are the core elements the six parts are structured to capture:

• Quantity and type of fuel: Specify exactly how much fuel is being issued and what grade or specification it meets. Precision here prevents misreads and misdeliveries.

• Lot numbers and identification: Lot control is critical. Recording the fuel lot ensures traceability in case of contamination or a supply discrepancy. It’s about knowing exactly where that fuel came from.

• Date and time stamps: Log when the issue occurred, when the transfer started, and when it completed, if applicable. Time stamps help verify sequencing and accountability.

• Issuing and receiving activity: Identify the unit or shop that is issuing the fuel and the activity that is receiving it. On a ship, this could be a flight line division, a supply department, or a designated fuel cell crew.

• Signatures and initials: The people responsible for authorizing and handling the transfer put their marks on the document. This creates an auditable chain of custody.

• Any anomalies or notes: If there’s a discrepancy, capillary readings, a pressure concern, or a melding issue at the transfer point, capture it here. Clear notes can save headaches later.

The human side of the form

Here’s where the conversation gets real. The DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) is as much about discipline as it is about numbers. On a busy deck or in a crowded hangar bay, priorities shift in a heartbeat. The form acts as a calm, common language that all involved parties can trust—pilots, quartermasters, fuel service teams, and auditors alike.

Keeping the paper trail tidy isn’t just about compliance. It’s about safety. If a fuel sample ever needed tracing back to its source, or if a maintenance request hinged on an exact quantity of fuel delivered to a particular aircraft, that six-part sheet is the factual backbone.

Afloat scenarios where this form shines

• A fuel transfer at sea: A port or starboard fueling line is active, and something isn’t aligning with the transfer log. The DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) is filled with the specifics, tied to the ship’s log, and cross-referenced with the quantity actually received by the aircraft fuel cells.

• Contaminant concerns: If a batch shows an anomaly, the lot number on the form helps isolate the affected supply without pulling millions of gallons into question. It’s faster and safer to pinpoint the source when you can trace the exact batch.

• Inventory reconciliation: At the end of a watch or during a routine inventory, the six-part form provides verifiable data that can be matched against the ship’s main ledger. The result is fewer surprises, and more confidence in the numbers.

Operational habits that make the form work

Purposeful habits on the deck or in the hangar bay keep the DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) effective. Here are a few practical practices you’ll hear sailors talk about in the mess and at the workstations:

• Keep the form legible and complete: On a rolling shift, it’s tempting to shorthand or skim. Resist. Clear handwriting, complete fields, and consistent abbreviations prevent misinterpretation.

• Double-check lot numbers and fuel type: A single digit off can move an entire supply chain in a wrong direction. That’s not hyperbole—it's the kind of slip that slows flights and irritates maintenance crews.

• Maintain a clean chain of custody: The form travels with the fuel. If it’s detached from the transfer, a discrepancy grows legs quickly. Tape it to the appropriate log or place it in the shipment packet as required.

• Store copies securely: The six parts are designed to be distributed to several locations. The issuing unit, the receiving unit, and the supply office all keep a copy. A simple misplacement can create a headache later—so keep those copies where they belong.

• Review during audits: Audits aren’t a surprise if your records are in order. Use the DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) as a living document—update it as you go, not in hindsight after the fact.

A few tangents that feel natural on the topic

• Safety first is a family motto. Fuel handling is as much about human factors as it is about numbers. Clear communication, proper PPE, and precise documentation work together to prevent accidents on deck when pumps roar to life.

• Technology meets tradition: Even with digital logs everywhere, the afloat environment still relies on sturdy paper forms for certain tasks. The DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) endures because it’s rugged, portable, and instant to read in loud, busy spaces.

• The language of logistics: The form is a small part of a larger vocabulary sailors use to move things efficiently. Knowing how it fits with inventory, safety, and aircraft readiness helps you speak the common language with confidence.

Brief recap you can carry in your pocket

• The DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) is the go-to document for documenting issues of aviation fuel in manual processing afloat.

• It captures quantity, fuel type, lot numbers, dates, and signatures—covering the practical and auditable needs of afloat operations.

• Other forms exist, but they serve different purposes. The DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) remains the precise tool for this task.

• Fill it out carefully, keep the chain of custody intact, and store copies in the right places. That’s how you keep operations safe and on track.

Closing thought: why this matters beyond the page

Fuel is the lifeblood of flight operations. On a ship or shore facility, cargo moves in and out, but aviation fuel must be tracked with clarity and care. The DD Form 1348-6 (6 PT) isn’t glamorous, but it’s indispensable. It translates the complex choreography of pumps, hoses, aircraft, and crew into a trustworthy record. When you know you’ve documented a transfer correctly, you’ve done more than fill out a form—you’ve safeguarded readiness, supported safety, and kept the mission's tempo steady.

If you’re navigating Navy logistics duties, you’ll come across this form again and again. It’s a reliable, straightforward tool in your kit, and mastering it gives you one more solid anchor in a job that blends hands-on work with precise accounting. So next time you’re on the flight line or in the supply shack, keep a clear eye on the six parts, and let them guide you through a smooth, accountable operation. It’s the kind of steady competence that everyone on deck notices, even if they don’t say it out loud.