AFMAN21-204 — Nuclear Weapons Maintenance

AFMAN21-204 governs nuclear weapons maintenance and handling, including management, training, qualification, certification, and waste management.

Search AFMAN21-204

  • Publication number: AFMAN21-204
  • Title: NUCLEAR WEAPONS MAINTENANCE
  • Date: 2025-12-02

View AFMAN21-204 on armypubs.army.mil


It covers nuclear weapons, components, spares, containers, training and test items, retrofit kits, war reserve materiel, and special equipment. It also establishes requirements for training, qualification, certification, maintenance, handling, waste management, and extended-level maintenance.

Applies to: This publication applies to all Air Force personnel who maintain and handle nuclear weapons, to include civilian employees and uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, and those who are contractually obligated to comply with Department of the Air Force publications.

Topics covered

  • Nuclear weapons management
  • Nuclear components and spares
  • Nuclear weapons training and qualification
  • Nuclear weapons certification
  • Nuclear weapons maintenance and handling
  • Waste management
  • Extended-level maintenance

Questions and answers

How should changes and questions about AFMAN21-204 be submitted?

Recommended changes and questions about this publication should be sent through the appropriate channels using the DAF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of Publication.

How are waiver authorities identified in AFMAN21-204?

The authorities to waive wing, unit or delta level requirements in this publication are identified with a Tier (“T-0, T-1, T-2, T-3”) number following the compliance statement.

How must MAJCOM supplements to AFMAN21-204 be handled?

Major Command (MAJCOM) directed supplements to this publication must be routed to the Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) of this publication for coordination prior to certification and approval.

How should waiver requests for AFMAN21-204 requirements be submitted?

Submit requests for waivers through the chain of command to the appropriate tier waiver approval authority or alternately to the publication OPR for non-tiered compliance items.

What records requirements apply to processes prescribed by AFMAN21-204?

Ensure all records generated as a result of processes prescribed in this publication adhere to Air Force Instruction 33-322, Records Management and Information Governance Program, and are disposed in accordance with the Air Force Records Disposition Schedule, which is located in the Air Force Records Information Management System.

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