BY ORDER OF THE
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE MANUAL 21-204
13 JANUARY 2023
Maintenance
NUCLEAR WEAPONS MAINTENANCE
COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY
ACCESSIBILITY: This publication is available for downloading from the e-Publishing
website at www.e-Publishing.af.mil
RELEASABILITY: There are no releasability restrictions on this publication.
OPR: AF/A4LW Certified by: AF/A4L
(Maj Gen Linda S. Hurry)
Supersedes: AFMAN 21-204, 13 August 2019 Pages: 46
This publication implements Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 21-2, Munitions, and is consistent
with AFPD 13-5, Air Force Nuclear Mission. It provides nuclear weapons maintenance and
handling guidance and procedures. It applies to all Air Force personnel who maintain and handle
nuclear weapons, to include Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard of the United States. Units
will contact applicable Major Command (MAJCOM) for interpretations of guidance contained in
this publication. This publication applies to the Regular Air Force, the Air Force Reserves, and the
Air Force National Guard. This publication does not apply to the United States Space Force. The
authorities to waive wing/unit level requirements in this publication are identified with a Tier (“T-
0, T-1, T-2, and T-3”) number following the compliance statement. See Air Force Instruction
(DAFI) 90-160, Publications and Forms Management and DAF Manual (DAFMAN) 90-161,
Publishing Processes and Procedures for a description of the authorities associated with the Tier
numbers. 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.
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. Units
below MAJCOMs will not publish a supplement to this publication. Ensure all records generated
as a result of processes prescribed in this publication adhere to AFI 33-322, Records Management
and Information Governance Program, and are disposed in accordance with the Air Force Records
Disposition Schedule (RDS), which is located in the Air Force Records Information Management
System (AFRIMS). Refer recommended changes and questions about this publication to the office
of primary responsibility (OPR) using the DAF Form 847, Recommendation for Change of
Publication; route DAF Forms 847 from the field through the appropriate functional chain of
