FOD prevention is a command program with a named manager, not a housekeeping habit. The wing deputy commander owns it and appoints the prevention monitors, the obligation to comply falls on everyone working in or travelling through flightline areas including contractors, and QA inspects to determine whether those procedures are actually being followed. On the ramp it comes down to FOD walks before operations and after aircraft movement, and continuous policing in between.
Readers asked this on CheckMyRegs and CheckMyAFI 16 times — this page answers it from the official catalogs and the publications’ own text.
| Branch | Controlling publication | Dated | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | DAFI 21-101 Current Chapter 11 establishes the FOD and Dropped Object Prevention Program | 2023-12-20 | Official link |
| Army | AR 750-1 Current Army materiel maintenance policy | 2026-04-29 | Official link |
| Navy | OPNAVINST 4790.2K Current Naval Aviation Maintenance Program, the Navy and Marine aviation equivalent | 2025-04-25 | Official link |
| Marine Corps | MCO 4790.25 Current Ground equipment maintenance program | 2014-01-12 | Official link |
Military, civilian and contractor personnel working in, on, around, or travelling near aircraft, flightline munitions, ground equipment or engines all fall under FOD prevention — there is no exempt category.
“11.8. Foreign Object Damage ( FOD) Prevention Program. All personnel (military, civilian, and contractors) working in, on, around, or traveling through areas near aircraft, flightline munitions, AGE, engines, or components thereof will comply with FOD prevention. (T-2) FOD prevention training requirements are outlined in AFI 36-2650. This section establishes minimum requirements for a FOD Prevention Program.”
The wing deputy commander is the FOD and Dropped Object Prevention Program Manager and appoints the prevention monitors, so an inspection should be able to name those people.
“2.3.1. Manage the Foreign Object Damage ( FOD) and Dropped Object Prevention ( DOP) Programs. (T-2) The WG/CD is the FOD/DOP Prevention Program Manager and will appoint a FOD/DOP Prevention Monitor(s) IAW Chapter 11.”
Quality Assurance performs the inspections that determine whether FOD prevention procedures are being complied with, which makes this an audit of practice rather than of posters.
“2.5. The 27 SOMXG/QA will accomplish inspections to determine compliance with FOD prevention procedures.”
Launch, recovery and hot pit crews keep their own operating areas clear, performing a FOD walk before aircraft operations and again after aircraft movement, and policing continuously in between.
“6.8. Launch, recovery, and hot pit crews are responsible for keeping their operating areas free of debris. Perform a FOD walk before a ircraft operations and after aircraft movement. Continually police these areas for foreign objects.”
Squadron and contract FOD programs must ensure ramps and assigned areas of responsibility are policed for foreign objects — look for who owns each patch of concrete.
“2.5.1. Manage the squadron and/or contract FOD prevention programs. Ensure ramps and areas of responsibility are policed for foreign objects.”
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Updated 2026-08-01. CheckMyRegs is an unofficial index — always cite the official publication.