Who is authorized to dispose of ammunition or pyrotechnics at sea?

The correct answer indicates that the commanding officer (CO) or officer in charge (OINC) or aircraft commander is authorized to dispose of ammunition or pyrotechnics at sea. This is grounded in the principle that the CO or OINC holds the ultimate responsibility for the safety and compliance of operations conducted by their unit, which includes the disposal of hazardous materials such as ammunition and pyrotechnics.

Disposing of these materials requires careful consideration of both safety protocols and environmental regulations, reflecting the level of authority and responsibility that a CO or OINC possesses. This ensures that only qualified personnel with comprehensive knowledge of procedures and implications handle such potentially dangerous materials during disposal operations.

Other roles, while they may support these operations or have involvement in logistics or supply, do not have the same level of authority or the overarching responsibility that falls to the CO/OINC or aircraft commander. The chain of command is crucial in maintaining operational safety and accountability, and this authority is specifically designated to the commanding officer in order to ensure proper oversight and adherence to established military and environmental protocols.