Reasons Why Navy Sailors Kneel Right Next to A Plane Taking Off on An Aircraft Carrier
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- Опубліковано 26 січ 2025
- Before a plane takes off on an aircraft carrier, a sailor kneels right next to the plane. When you step foot on the flight deck of a Navy aircraft carrier, you will observe that the crew members are dressed in various outfits and make various hand signals and gestures. One of these gestures is kneeling next to an aircraft about to take off. Not only are aircraft carriers spectacular in terms of their size, but they also function like well-oiled machinery. Aircraft Carrier Take Off.
The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is one of the most hazardous workplaces in the world. Sailors are exposed to a continually high noise level and as many as sixty planes and two hundred people are crammed into a little more than four acres of reinforced steel armor plate.
On the flight deck, workers move in many directions, which may look chaotic to an observer unfamiliar with the procedure. However, the flight deck of a United States Navy carrier is one of the most well-organized man-made vehicles on earth. It functions similarly to an orchestra, with each section responsible for executing a specific movement within the larger symphony of carrier operations. Because of all the noise generated by the aircraft carrier, the only way for the sailors to communicate with one another and carry out their respective duties is by using various gestures and signs. These sailors utilize a variety of gestures and signals to communicate with one another. One of the many gestures and signs that sailors on aircraft carriers use to execute their operations is kneeling.
It is common to observe sailors kneeling near an aircraft getting ready to take off from the ground. If the person kneeling near an aircraft is wearing a yellow shirt, then the person is the Shooter, who is giving the cat crew the signal to shoot the cat.
#aircraftcarrier #sailors #usnavy
My daughter was in charge of the survival equipment including ejection seats at Top Gun in Mira Mar for eight years back in the eighties. Her son just retired as a Navy Diver and Hospital Independent Duty Corpsman at Panama city Beach. My second husband was a Navy Master Chief who served two tours in Vietnam. I am very proud of them.
I’m sure you are! God bless them and all our Service members. I thank them for their service. 🇺🇸❤️😂
I understamd my mother was US CG in WWII, then career State Dept post WWII US Embassy Paris, the US Embassy Japan. My daughter's father a Marine Korean War, our daughter a US Dolphin rescue helicopter pilot served 30 years, her son is a USCG Petty Officer , a navigator in a CG cutter. Im the only one who didnt serve a mere professor....so proud of all the service to our nation:your family, my family and so many American familie sserve multigenerationally.
My Dad was on the Ranger and my Uncle on the Yorktown - I will always be sad that my Uncle didn't come back , didn't have a chance to marry , have kids , have a life . But he was a Hero just like all that serve really ..
I remember going on a tour of the Ranger when I was in school. Impressive.My cousin let me sit in his A6 Intruder once at Whidbey. My feel had serious claustrophobia. But pretty cool!
Of course he is a hero. And it's wonderful you remember him still.
@@OdiousToad ♥ I didn't know him , my Mom met him and he was killed , my Dad came to the West Coast to meet the girl and her parents that were nice to his brother , they married , but as long as I'm alive I will praise my Uncle . They went down in flames still hitting their targets on Guam . My Mom still had his pictures tucked away in her dresser drawers when she died . 💔 No one talked about him - . I had to figure it out myself . And still never recovered or brought home to this day .
Sad to hear you lost you brave uncle.
@@bingley0351 So kind , thank you . They were shot down over Guam 6 days after D Day - still trying to hit their targets as they went down according to a witness . Still never recovered to this day ...
Was CAT ONE petty officer on USS KITTY HAWK 71-72 Gulf of Tonkin Vietnam. It was balls to the walls and every man on the flight deck was the Best. All 4 cats launching was amazing. In one 23 day line period, we launched 2126 planes. Incredible ship and crew. Takes all hands to make it happen. From engine room, mess crew, you name it, gotta work together. God bless all my fellow vets and those serving now. ABE2 MIKE GEARY .
CAT on the KITTY hawk! 🤣 🐈🐈⬛
I remember you. We worked together for a good while.
@@robertbishop2407 Robert, Mike Geary, I remember working with you, hope all is well with you.
Amen.
God Bless you and the other Vietnam vets, thank you all for your service. I was 18 and graduated high school in 1974. I remember my family and I would watch the news and I remember everything about that time. I joined the Navy as a hospital corpsman in my 20s and stayed in for 6 years. I am a female vet. I salute the Vietnam vets for their service. 🙏✨️💖
I think the guys that work the flight decks are incredible. Think about it. They deal with the weather. Doing this at night. Rain. Cold. A rolling ship. And the danger of the aircraft themselves. You gotta be on your A game. My salute to everyone who’s ever worked these decks. Bravo guys👏👏🇺🇸🇺🇸👍
Yellow shirts are also aircraft handlers for parking. Green shirts are also aircraft maintenance. I worked in AIMD (shipboard aircraft maintenance). Brown are plane captains (taking basic care of the aircraft/assisting the pilots), blue are chock/chainers (tie down aircraft). I was stationed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) for two years.
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The pilots landing on the deck of the carrier are so brave. They must have nerves of steel. There seems no extra room for error. Thank you all servicemen and women for protecting the American people. God bless.❤❤
This brings back good memories of my dad, whom I just lost in March. He was an AMHC-1 on the Saratoga, and did two tours in Vietnam. He was part of the Squadron VA-75, The Sunday Punchers. This makes me cry, too, because I miss my father so much, and I miss the stories he used to tell of life onboard the ship. I love you, Dad, and I will never forget you. You were the best dad a daughter could ever ask for.
@@ecclestonsangel men like your father,they are the reason why are military is so great!!!
@michaelgeary5451 thank you so much. My brother was in the Navy too, but he's retired now. I wanted to go in the Navy but I had asthma, and back then, they didn't know how well it could be controlled. But I'm a Navy Junior anyway. I was born in a Naval hospital. I really miss my dad and mom a lot. My family has a long and distinguished history of serving in the military, going all the way back to the Revolutionary War.
@@ecclestonsangel awesome, GREAT family history. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.
@@michaelgeary5451 Thank you so much. I was raised the Navy Way. It wasn't until I was in my late teens that I knew there was such a thing as a twelve hour clock, because we always went by military time. I have an ancestor who fought under General Washington and was with him at Valley Forge. His son was a famous Colonel in the War of 1812. Another ancestor was in the Union Army and was at Bull Run, or, as we Southerners call it, The Battle of Manassas.(I was born at the Naval base in Memphis) My cousin(who was like an uncle to me) served in an elite unit in Argentina with orders to sabotage Hitler's communications lines in WWII. My late uncle fought in Korea and my dad in Vietnam. My brother fought in The First Gulf War, and Sarajevo. Pretty long military pedigree, huh? Oh, and I'm the direct descendant of President Rutherford B Hayes. I'm also a direct descendant of Queen Victoria. Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II was my second cousin. I have a strange family background.
Vietnam vet. Been there done that !!! Super exciting, thrilling, dangerous. All at the same time! Something I will never forget or regret. God bless America.
God Bless you for your service. 🙏✨️💖✨️💯
Did you know aviator Hoot Foot.
Thank you! 🇺🇸
Thank you for your service!
Thank you for your service 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
God Bless the U.S Navy sailors tirelessly working for America. Amen !
Amen
Amen and Amen.
I have not been in the military but, the men and women who are on aircraft carriers are the best of the best! Thank you to all military personnel, past, present and future!!!❤❤❤
My son was part of the crew on the P3 Orion, very proud of mom here!! Go Navy!!❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
❤ Thank-you & thank your son for me & mine please❤ 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸❤
Great video. I was a green shirt on the Ike from 1991-94. Worked the waist catapults (3 & 4) on deployment in the Middle East during Desert Storm/Shield. This video brings back a ton of memories.
No doubt flight ops are intense. Now imagine everything you just watched but it’s 0300, pitch black, everyone’s been up for 36 straight hours and flight ops are being conducted using traffic wands and sound powered phones… lol
Good times!
😮
Wow!
Yikes! I'm in awe of each and every one of you. 🙌🙌🙌
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Thank you.... NTC/RTC Orlando 1991 Division V
I'm glad I didn't know all this when I was a crewmember flying off the Independence and Nimitz. My friend's father was one of the first air traffic controllers on a carrier. He told me the flight deck is a death trap. He said put my hand up, to make sure no jet exhaust was coming my way. If not, run like hell to my plane. I remember sweating my ass off waiting to take off. Then freezing after we took off. Once we boltered three times. The pilot wanted to try once more. We wanted to land in Sicily. We had enough fuel for one more pass. And if we missed to climb high enough to bail out. The pilot got it right on the 4th try. These guys are amazing. And the pilots are crazy.
Thank God for you!
Thank you, God bless you 😇 for your service 🤲 to your Countrymen and Country Sir🇺🇸💋
What a story - omg!
I was in the Army for 7 years but I got to admit watching the ballet on the deck of a carrier is fascinating and exciting. My hat's off to these guys for doing what they do.
Carrier duty is the worst.
@@qua7771 Respectfully, what was not good about it? Was there camaraderie? What was your favourite role in the military? And why? I have so much respect for the dedication to service you all have. I wish I’d been physically able to serve. It just wasn’t in the cards for me or my brother who wanted to be a military jet pilot. I would have probably joined navy too. Are these Navy pilots or Air Force? Or are all pilots Air Force?
@@jaykay1053 I was Navy. I worked on P-3 Orion's. Back then the Navy was the worlds largest air force. The US Air force was actually a smaller flying force than the Navy. Each branch has their own pilots, aircraft, bases etc... Marines land on Navy ships/ bases, and are under the same department.
The reason I say carrier duty is the worst is because they go underway for long periods of time, the work is hard, and dangerous, and the living quarters are small.
A deployment could last 9 months, or longer, followed by maybe a year of shore duty where a typical day is more like a regular job. After that you would likely get stationed somewhere else.
It would be unlikely to ever see an Air force plane land on a ship. The regular AF personnel had better duty IMO.
@@jaykay1053 oh no! They are all Navy. The Air Force couldn't begin to do this.
@@shadetreemech290 I was with VA146 (A7's) in 1970. We deployed with one Air Force captain. I never did find out why and didn't realize then that it was an unusual situation. He left us after that deployment.
I spent 10 years in the Navy. Life on the carriers is no cakewalk. Watching this clip brought back alot of memories.
Thank you for your service. God bless Everyone Always Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸
Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, 1999 - 2001. I was a black shoe, worked below decks in the stockrooms. My favorite spot on the carrier was the Crow’s Nest, watching the organized chaos below on the flight deck. CVN-69, one of my favorite Commands.
I ws on the IKE, 93-95. Airman, AIMD. One of the last two year enlistees. Hello, fellow shipmate :)
@@gilly775 Two-year enlistees? I thought they’d done away with those along with “go to jail or go in the military” crowd. I guess maybe it was around the same time.🤷🏼♀️. 🤔Hmm , let’s see…1993-1995 I was attached to Amphibious Construction Battalion One (ACB1) in Coronado (San Diego). It was fun while it lasted.
@@theresareineke6753not yet. That happened after I got out in 95. My Dad went with me to the recruitment office when I got my rate offers. I was offered Corpsman, Seabee, ATC, Electricians Mate and a few others. ATC was the only one offered in Aviation which was the field I wanted to go into but not ATC as my father being a pilot said it was the most stressful job in the fleet. lol. So after not really liking any of them, my Dad asked the recruiter if there was an enlistment that didn’t have a rate where I could just strike for my rate. The guy’s face just sunk lol (probably lost his bonus) he said there were two year enlistments for the three areas so I knew that’s what I wanted to do. Anyway, I learned that sometime in the mid 90s/pre-2000 the Navy did away with that.
I have no words, but to express gratitude for those who do this work. They look so confident and relaxed, I would never had guessed its complexity. Thank you!
This is why Navy Pilots are the best pilots in the world. 👍
Not for long if our enemies can just copy what we do by watching UA-cam.
@@patstokes7040 I wouldn't be too concerned. Good choreography does not make a top notch plane or a top notch pilot.
I had a friend who was a pilot flying missions off a carrier in Vietnam. He told me with a smile, "I never came back with ordinance!" He got in a dog fight with a Russian Mig. Chased him out of the sky.
Navy Pilots!
@@KellysAdventures305 I have several friends who were in combat in Vietnam. They will tell you that the best pilots in the world were Navy and Marine pilots.
@@Dave-ll6ei You bet! Great pilots. The Best!
I was an airframe troubleshooter(white shirt) in an F/A-18C. Two troubleshooters walk down each side of a jet being taxied into position on the cat. We are literally doing a final check mostly looking for leaks(fuel/oil/hyd) panel and fastener security, and anything else that may look off or out of place. When the jet is in tension on the catapult we have moved to just outside of wing pylon and kneel down. Kneeling allows you to see the other troubleshooter, maintain your balance better and you stay below the jet blast. Yeah if shit goes south it’s that much easier to grab a pad eye. Our “final” check if you will was confirming all flight control surface moved and there was no visible hydraulic leaks. The T/S on the inside will complete that and watch for confirmation from outside T/S that they are good prior to giving the “thumbs up” indicating to the shooter”yellow shirt” that jet is good and send it. At that point that jet is getting launched off the catapult. On video or picture it may look like we are dangerously close to the launching jet and compared to others on deck we are. Positioning is close enough to get good view of all control surfaces but well outside of their range on movement. Kneeling keeps you below the jet blast so if you are lower then the bottom of the VEN of the jet engines there little change from the wind coming over the deck. On the catapult I would kneel in a position that as I gave the “thumbs up” signal with one hand I could hold onto a pad eye with the other since as the jet launches you can be in stable position, hold on, and turn away from the residual jet blast you will briefly catch. Looking back being on the catapult for F/A-18 was relatively mundane since they were physically smaller than most others and rarely were in afterburner to take off. I always had the utmost respect to fellow troubleshooter from F-14, A-6,E-2 squadrons who were all in more precarious positions when there respective aircraft were in tension. Since it’s no longer possible to witness an F-14 on the catapult definitely check out the many videos available. They were huge especially with wings fully swept out and the shear power of the jet in full afterburner was something you could actually feel in your chest. All the respect, admiration and gratitude for all the young men and women serving in all branches today.
Thank you for your service!
Thank you for the detailed explanation.
One of my sons did the same thing as you with VMFA 312 on board the TR and Enterprise from '96 to 2000. Got to take a Tiger cruise with him in '99. Thanks for your service!
Thank you. That was a fascinating read.
Much respect and thank you for your service!
As a former US nuclear fast attack submariner in Vietnam, we were always dissing the "Airdales" (Navy slang for Naval Air personnel), but I have renewed respect for them watching this video. A big "THANKS for your service" to all my fellow veterans!
Funny, as a former carrier based "airdale", I remember dissing submariners and everyone else who wasn't an "airdale" but when I look back on it, I know that it took all of us, doing our jobs to make the Navy work. I have seen a few submarine videos, and come to really respect you guys. Thank you for your service!
A big Thank You to all Vets 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 I wanted to be on a sub in 1967 graduating HS but they told me 6 years with school. As a pilot they turned me down wearing glasses.
Wow, this was an amazing video! I'm just a civilian who happens to love jets, and this video gave me so much info on the carrier operations. My dad was an AF Lt Col in WWII and I've never been more proud to be his daughter. Thanks to all our service men and women who do so many amazing things to keep us safe at home.
As a former EF111 Crew Chief for the Air Force I have nothing but respect for the insane individuals who work on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier. It is a dangerous enough job working on, launching and recovering supersonic aircraft on land, doing the same jobs on a sea going airfield much less than half the size I worked on with twice the people takes the precision of the USMC drill team. My hat is off to every one them.
Night ops were the worst.
I always said it looks like an extremely dangerous job
Flight deck crews have extension training before they even go on a active ship . I knew a red shirt on the IKE who died several years ago from cancer. I think it was from exposure of the fire foam.
My son served on the USS Constellation. Was fortunate enough to board her for a “family day” cruise which was the most amazing trip of my life! I prayed everyday they stayed safe. Thank you to all our military personnel serving and retired! God Bless America and God help us!
Being the wife of a United States Submariner, I surely do well and truly appreciate all of what these sailors and pilots perform 24/7, 365 days a year, in order to keep us all safe from harm. Thank you to the United States Navy!
A Global Force for Good
Every wife of a submariner had a boyfriend on the side, while their husbands were on patrol b Do you know me ❓❓❓
As an ex sailor on a carrier, I appreciate that
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Much respect to the service members and their families!
I was driving a bus (public transport ) in the city one day and came up to some road works, the traffic controller signaled me to stop, when the road was clear he dropped to one knee and pointed in the direction of travel ( all very dramatic like the sailor on the carrier) I planted my foot and push back in the seat as if I was being forced back by the rapid acceleration of the bus. I got a laugh out of him as I "rocketed" past.
That is a pretty cool story. Also, some quick thinking on your part, I wish I could've seen that myself
Great story! I’m an ole Air Force retiree, however, being one of those aircraft carrier directors or whatever they’re called is on my bucket list! Have to have the “Top Gun” music though!
I'll stick with being a paratrooper.
@@hikerhobby1204 I think you're talking about the catapult officer, better known as the shooter.
@@jackturner214 Sounds right. Thank you, Jack!
My husband was in Boot Camp between his Jr and Sr years of high school. The Gulf of Tonkin event happened when he was there. After a few years in school he went on active duty Jan ‘67. His squadron was VA 165 Boomer, A6 Intruders. They were stationed at NAS Whidbey Island until they deployed in Fall of ‘67. Their ship was the USS Ranger CVN 61. He was a jet mechanic for Intruders. That group also wore green shirts.
I have loved the many films that showed life on board. I get a more rich understanding of the life he experienced when deployed from each film. I am grateful that I didn’t know how dangerous working on the flight deck was until he was home.
My dad served on several carriers, he was the last enlisted bombardier navigator. After a 30 yr total service he retired. Thank you for describing his job so clearly! Go Navy!
Huge thanks to his service much love to him
They hardly have any enlisted left who fire the actual catapult from the catwalk.
Now inside the bubble they made it an Officer billet.
Sad but a sign of the times.
My Dad was a Flying Tiger bombardier in WW2, flying out of Kunming China. They flew Liberators.
@@juditrotter5176 I love air shows with the old aircraft. I used to live on the flight path of our local airport. One day I heard this roar...coming closer...I went out and flying in formation were 5 old WWII military planes. I'm embarrassed to say I can't tell you which model, but it looked straight out of old WWII movies when you'd see a squadron flying overhead. The sound was earth shaking and you could feel it in your chest!
Hooya !! I was a HM1 manning the flight deck BDS. Absolute beautiful choreography. Thank you for bringing this to light, especially now with this world in such turmoil.
God bless our ENTIRE MILITARY 🙏😘
AMEN!!!🥰🙏🏽🇺🇸🪖✝️♥️
I have the most respect for these guys. When WWll started my father was right there ready to go but he had lost the hearing in one ear and they wouldn’t take him. He tried everything even traveling to Canada but no luck. He had his pilot’s license so he was able to teach new pilots and he always said to me when your country calls you go. My dad traveled a lot in business and told me when on a plane he could tell by the the way the pilot landed where he flew during the war. He missed flying so much and I miss him. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Britain and Canada used those types of pilots to fly planes and supplies to England during WW2, ? Ghost pilots I believe they were called. It allowed military pilots to do military work, and these good but not military fit pilots to transport planes and supplies.
Thanks for sharing your story 👍🏻 your grandfather sounds like a wonderful man 🙌
God's teeth kudos to your Dad
Wow! Trust me. Our deceased love ones are in us rather than outside of us as they once were.
My dad flew in the war. Afterwards when there was bad turbulence people would be nauseated, uncomfortable and frightened, but not the old man---he had ice in his veins.
ABH1 (Honorably retired, 5 carrier flight decks) Everything that happens on the flight deck is based upon history,honor,safety, and efficiency, the job is highly robotic and clear. Pilots can ONLY get to fly from a carrier if the handler goes to his highest level of experience. Handlers live daily with the pressure of doing the job correctly the first time. The wise ones fear "complacency" more than anything else. I'd recommend it to only those understand what real professionalism is, as it draws on you from within, day in day out, night in, night out. Your reward for the risk you take is that someone somewhere gets their freedom. Freedom isnt free.
Looks like chaos but is actually very organized!
Freedom never was free. "The tree of liberty requires frequent watering with the blood of Patriots". Thomas Jefferson. And some of us military know that it's our blood that might be required. Our blood, well spent, to "secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity". From the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States. Look that one up.
Bless you for your service...No sir freedom is NOT free..❤️
Working around a flight deck is serious business. On deck, you can be blown overboard by the backwash or get roasted by the afterburners. Down in the catwalk, you can literally lose your head as a bird launches out. These NEC/MOS are no joke.
What a truly fantastic job these guys on the decks do. They are brave and know their jobs inside out…no room for error.
I take my hat off to them all !!!!
My deepest gratitude to all the men and women past and present who keep us safe at their own risk. May God bless you all your days! May you always know great peace!
My husband was on the USS Forrestal before the fire. Safety is no accident. Great respect for these incredible sailors.
Everyone in the Navy has two jobs and the #1 job ahead of everything else is being a firefighter.
About USSAmerica watched films of the Forrestal tragedy to help prevent a similar accident . Bravery beyond imagination was displayed by those men .
I was always aware of my time on the flight deck after that .
Wow…..thank you for showing us civilians how the jets are brought in and off the carriers! Thank you men and women for serving our great country! 🇺🇸
Dating pilots you learn all this suff.
One told me watch the Tommies ( F14, Tom Cat) as they take off, their wings rotate backwards. So neat to see.
Former Shooter (CVN 77). With the exception of CAT 3, their was really no need to kneel when shooting. The safe shot line that you stood behind kept you relatively safe and free from having your head removed. Loved being an aviator, but the shooting gig was a damn good time.
They actual do require you to kneel. The catapult crew guys won’t even hook up the holdback bar and launch bar until they see you’re kneeling. That’s why they scan both sides of the jet before giving the hand signal to move the shuttle forward to catch the launch bar before the aircrew sets their trim.
@@mindyschocolate unless their has been a change to the CVN NATOPS that’s not an accurate statement. The holdback bar is attached as soon and the bird comes up to the CAT and is spotted. Launch bar is dropped after the shuttle comes aft. The shooter only goes into the kneeling position after they go into Final Ready and make the final scan of the flight deck signal lights, CSV matching lights and winds/x winds and thumbs up from the final checkers.
@@mindyschocolate Incorrect
My son served as a shooter during 2 deployments earlier in his Navy career. They often miss every opportunity for a hot meal because flight schedule trumps all. Yet he says the adrenaline rush and satisfaction, especially on night check, of a challenging job well was worth it and he’d love it if he got a chance to do it one more day.
He’s still working with flight deck operations, but on the Officer side now.
This video helped me better understand what he told me abt flight deck operations.
My late sister-in-law was a Master Chief Petty Officer and Safety Officer on the U.S.S. NIMITZ in the late 1990s. I never quite knew what that job entailed. Thank you for sharing this video, and thank you for your service, MCPO Mary Elizabeth Cook Madden. R.I.P. and know that we miss you. Hope you and Mom are having fun doing your needlework now that you are both Home. ❤️🥰❤️
My son was a yellow shirt at that time on the Nimitz. Nate Reneau …they called him Reno. He has also passed…💔
I was very fortunate to spend a week on the USS Forrestal in the Mediterranean in 1991 as a civilian aviation photographer. an experience I will never forget... Highly dangerous with a slippery deck full of spilled hydraulic fluid mixed with salty seawater... roaring engines all over the place... I had a 'gusardian angel' assigned to me to guide me across the deck from catwalk to catwalk.
It's an amazing ballet and I can't stress enough how much respect I have for these 19 and 20 yr olds doing this 12 hours a day, 6 months per tour... when you get back to your bunk you're so dead tired you sleep despite the launches continuing during the night and believe me the catapult makes a hell of a noise...
Nothing but respect and admiration for all on the carrier including the people working below deck and in the engine bay deep down below in the belly of the ship where it's as hot as I imagine hell must be... nope... no air conditioning...
This makes me proud to be an American! Thank you for your service. This Is God's great favor and blessing on America!
Thanks!
Aviation is amazing My first duty station was on an aircraft
Carrier. I had watched the crew work like a well oiled machine and how they launched those jets. I am so grateful to have served.
The single biggest regret of my life (70 yrs old) is never having served in our military.
@@veramae4098 F
Mad respect for the deck crew of an aircraft carrier.
Yes it's true
I served on the USS Coral Sea, CVA 43 but worked below decks with guided missiles & only went to the flight deck a few times. I was aware that it was extremely dangerous. Great video explaining everything.
Flight deck crash and fire crew USS CORAL SEA CV43 82’-84’
Thank you for your service!
I was on the Coral Sea in 71 with VF-111 during NAM.
Those guys on deck must have nerves of steel…a job I would never have the bravery to do, but I do admire those who do it and keep everyone SAFE !!
@@MegaChuck51 👍🇺🇸
✍Hello... Enjoyed the video. My husband was in the Navy in the early 60s during the "Bay of Pigs" invasion. He was on the Saratoga and worked on the flight deck when the jets came I to land. He told me many stories. God Bless LuvYa! Bye from Ohio🌹
It’s always nice to see a significant other recognize their “spouses” accomplishments! Good for you!
That was so very very interesting and far more complicated than I could have ever imagined. I have nothing but respect for these men and women, both in the planes and on the decks. They make it look so simple.
My husband, Michael, was stationed on the U.S.S. Constellation for 3 years. It was such a JOY to see the ship pull in to North Island (San Diego). Aloha from Ohio.
What year was he on? My brother served on the Connie back in the '70's.
Much respect to all of these sailors. My Dad was in Navy during Korea. 🙌
I served aboard the USS HANCOCK CVA19 , 65-68. had the privilege of working the PLAT CAT/ AG on the 66 cruise WESPAC. landed aboard the COD once and launched twice, an experience you never forget also landed under a CH 46 helo from the Sacramento AOE1 when transfered from the USS O'BANNON DD 450 somewhere on station in the Gulf of Tonkin the first time meeting the Hancock.
My Dad was on the Essex, Forrestal, Intrepid, and Enterprise, but worked below flight deck as a parachute rigger. He had many interesting adventures to tell about, and some tragedies, too. Men (it was only men when he served) had died on the flight deck, sometimes because of situations beyond their control. But, the synchronized work they performed kept human errors out of the equation. Go Navy!
My dad was on the Oriskany, Ticonderoga, Enterprise, and was a rigger first withe safety equipment backup...always loved to hear the stories. Go Navy!
My significant other was on the Intrepid for 4 years, in electronics making sure their radar was good. He was part of the team that decommissioned it at the end of his service.
God Bless Everyone Thank you very much Philadelphia USA 🇺🇸 Nostrovia ❤❤❤
I have the utmost respect for the deck crews that do this day after day in all kinds of weather 👍🇺🇸
My father was an RIO in F-4's. His squadron was VF-84 out of Virginia Beach, VA. He served aboard USS Forrestal CVA-59 . He was on the Forrestal from 1964 - 1967. I was very proud of him. I was unable to serve due to an injury I received as a child, I'm half deaf.
Thank You to all who have served and are presently serving. Great video, close caption makes it to where I can watch.
Blessings to you and your dad. HHC 1/37 Armor, Corpsman.
@Bruce Ford your FATHER is a hero no matter what he did. He was that generation of the Vietnam Vets who were hated, disrespected and more challenges. I was lucky to show up later in 77. The public was not nice to us either, we didn't go through what your Father did. BTW, do you know the story about the Fire on the Forrestal. Was your Father on the CVA59 when they had the terrible fire. That incident changed the NAVY forever. Since the Forrestal Fire, every shipboard sailor and marine is required to requal every 3 years in fire fighting training. If anyone wants more information just reply to me and I will be glad to share the information or look up forrestal fire 1967. 134 sailors were killed.
My father was on the Nimitz from 82-88 the jolly Rogers were on that ship for at least one med cruise during that time, but obviously remained stationed at Oceana when the Nimitz transferred to the Pacific fleet in 87
F-4s are bad-ass
WOW,Bruce,I was in VF-84-Nas Oceana when I was in the navy,attached to airwing aboard the USS ROOSEVELT.Don't know if the squadron is still with the Roosevelt,this was early 90s when I served.
Trillions of Salutes to all those working here. What a team! One of the best examples of how a team must work. 🙏
SIMPLY STUNNING!
I've always been fascinated by these forms of communicating.
My late father was a Marine and then a Naval reservist.
That was a fantastic video. As a civilian, I had no idea of what is involved on an aircraft carrier to get planes safely on and off the ships. I'm going to watch the video again; there's so much detail involved. Bless those navy men!!
There are women on aircraft carriers now as well as the men. If I’m correct, women are part of the flight deck teams too.
Another reason for kneeling is that you are closer to pad eyes that are scattered all over the deck, those are anchor points for chains if the A/C need to be tied down. I have seen crewmen blown down the deck like a leaf in a wind gust by jet blast. Latching onto a pad eye will keep you from being blown over the side or getting blown in front of the gear of a taxiing A/C. I was a flight deck Ordnanceman on the Kitty Hawk attached to VA-192 the Golden Dragons 1971-73.
Thanks for the "pad eye" explanation. Former Navy Brat. Go Navy!
I enjoyed the video. I respect those people on the flight deck. Air Force veteran.
Kneeling: three reasons I can think of: 1) you don’t want to get hit by a wing, 2) you don’t want to get knocked over by the jet blast, 3) praying because you know the plane was built by the lowest bidder on a government contract
LOL
And all valid! Actual reason is to be close to the deck as the "Shooter" tags the deck then points to the bow.
ua-cam.com/video/BfbMufyDD6c/v-deo.html ; F-18 Ala12🇪🇸 / #FestivalAereoGijon , varios Vídeos más de jornada muy chulo las maniobras.,..
Best summary.
And it's easier to grab a pad eye.
Cat troubleshooter VAQ-130 USS Oriskany 1970. We kneel to be kept from being blown down. 40 plus knots of wind and the jet blast makes you want to stay close to the deck. Loved working the flight deck. Over 50 years ago and have never done anything more exciting since.
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My son was ships company on the GW in the mid 90s working the cats. I was in Naval Aviation as an avionics tech but never went on a ship. P3s didn’t have tailhooks.
@@Chris_at_Home Thank both of you for your service. I was always impressed by the guys who worked the cats. It took guts! I was an AE-2 on the A3 s. We had a tail hook but we were such a big aircraft that they kicked us off the ship and sent us to Danang. We worked out of shacks made from shipping crates and kept our planes flying. The P3 was an amazing aircraft. I stood beside one once it made me feel small. Nice to hear from a fellow Airedale.
True! VF-32 troubleshooter & final checker USS JFK , 1969.
I'm sure looking back you're impressed with your younger self as am I. Thanks for your service. Only those of us who have worked the flight deck during flight ops can appreciate the teamwork and dedication it takes to make it happen!
Did different squadrons have different troubleshooters? My uncle was an aviator with VF-194 on the Oriskany who was lost in June 1971 when he had a malfunction while on the break. We never got much of an explanation, so as far as wwe know he either didn't have time to eject or he wasn't going to endanger people on deck by trying to land.
Respect too you all , most of my family has served or areserving great job and thank you for serving, God Bless are service members
Admiration and praise for all concerned .
I don't know what is the reason but it looks so awesome , powerful and I am a proud of USA citizen ,I love my USA
One day I want to see this live. My hats off to these men and women who handle millions of dollars of equipment daily like it’s nothing! Much respect my brothers and sisters! 🎯😎
The MIT Technology Review had an extremely insightful article by Robert Poole, When Failure is not an Option. They analyzed nuclear aircraft carriers as one of the examples. A must read for why my dear friends have been so successful. In particular ““Even the lowest rating on the deck has not only the authority, but the obligation to suspend flight operations immediately, under the proper circumstances and without first clearing it with superiors. Although his judgment may later be reviewed or even criticized, he will not be penalized for being wrong and will often be publicly congratulated if he is right.”
Trivia;
For first nuclear bombs, uranium ore refinery was in Tennessee. People watched lots of control panels but were told not to try to "fix" anything, but report to superiors.
They found out [chuckle] it was better to have women doing this. Men almost always tried to fix things but bollixed it up worse. Women reported readings to supervisors.
@@veramae4098 Of course! 😂
Informative and great.
@@veramae4098 Well, yes. Men, particularly in maintenance fields, are hard wired for problem solving. I always need a constant effort to stay uninvolved when I see what I think is a problem anywhere. "Stay out of it. *It's not your problem*.", I am always telling myself.
50 years ago Yellow shirt CVA 42 also a life long pilot. Had the time of my life. Where did the time go. Well done show.
This is all so cool!!! My favorite Uncle on my father’s side was in the Navy. He said he was a Popeye, from the cartoon series I liked so much. He had some great stories, and my mom would get a little upset when his tales got a little “naughty” for children. But I didn’t care, he was amazing. He even got me hooked on G.I. Joe comics and then I got hooked on the 80’s cartoon series. The character Shipwreck reminded me of my uncle.
This looks very impressive and dangerous. Controlled chaos, no mistakes allowed. Thank you all for your service.
I thank each and every one of you for their service. I also have several family members who were in the Navy…An Uncle, my Son, A Sister and a Niece.
I was never stationed on a Carrier, only cruisers and destroyers during my 20 years in. This was informative, I like it!
I'm so glad I saw the PBS series "Carrier" to get a basic feeling for what its like to be on the deck of a carrier. Although I'm sure it can never fully explain it, the opening sequence (controlled chaos) does a good job of letting you know how professional you have to be once you get on the deck of a carrier.
Much Respect for all those that serve. God Bless you all.
✨️Appreciate Video & Thank You & All People For Your Service & Prayers❣️🌟🕊& Thank The Lord - 🔵🇺🇸USA❣️😍🙏
Great video!
God bless and protect all of our military!!
I always found these maneuvers and hand signals and gestures almost like a ballet. Everything means something. Thank you for the explanation. I don't understand everything but it's much clearer than it was before.
As a Navy serviceman on a different ship, I was always fascinated by the carrier crew; especially those who were on the flight deck of the carrier. Thank you for showing me the deck crew and their duties.
I was a Flight deck chief in an aircraft squadron on three cruises. 2 on USS Nimitz and one during Desert Storm on USS Roosevelt. Best job in the world and very satisfying. Very good video
We may have crossed paths (or passageways)!
I was an AT with VS 24 Scouts (S-3's anti sub). Did you ride the Nimitz around the Horn in '87, after a 5 mos Med Cruise, (Shellback), then Rio de Janeiro? I did. As I was East Coast (Jax, Fl), we debarked in San Diego, went home, then next time out assigned to Teddy Roosevelt in '87/'88 NATO/Med Cruises. Were you there then?
They make it look so easy. Incredible.
Great job explaining something that is far more complex than I ever imagined.
I just want to say I’m so proud to be an American. Thanks you to all service branches that keep us safe. 🇺🇸
Being a military veteran I am always happy to watch my comrades at work. Great job!
Can’t get enough of aircraft carrier takeoffs ❤ as a retired 20 year Marine, the deck crews still amaze me. Such precision and 100% teamwork makes these dangerous and amazing takeoffs possible ❤ 🛩️
I totally loved it! Great important information, thank you!❤ 🛫
God bless all these military personnel!!!
I'm just your average gal retired after 40 years of working as an American Sign Language Interpreter at a University. Maybe that's why I was so fascinated and immediately drawn to this video. I was very interested to see the various hand/arm signals. I had no idea the lower body is also used for signaling. It's all so efficient and clear, which obviously it needs to be! I was wondering if the gloves on the hands and lack of contrast between the hands can be challenge sometimes? Though I think I only heard one signal performed with both hands together. Anyway, just fascinating. Thank you for this! PS I confess, I'm a huge fan of the Blue Angels as well as the Thunderbirds. I really enjoy seeing them demonstrate their precision skills. I can't imagine the nerves of steel that they...all of you must have.
PS did I hear you say these are the same gestures that ground crew uses for commercial jets?
Absolutely loved this video. Thanks for posting
There aren't enough words to express the awe, thanks and blessings for the men and women who serve in our military for what they do!
Being a civilian, not attached to any branch of the Military, it's awe inspiring to stand on the dock where a US Aircraft Carrier is tied up too. Its hard to comprehend their size until you see a portion of a chopper's Rotor blade and nothing more, over the other side of the runway. Or a couple of crew in green jacket standing close together talking on the dock side of the carrier.
If you ever get the chance to see one of these enormous, well oiled Aircraft Carriers up close and personal, berthed in your city, I suggest you go check it out. As a teenage I was lucky enough in about 1969, to be invited on board a UK War Ship berthed for resupply and R&R. That was an absolutely incredible experience, that I serious doubt would happen today. The same as being able to go onto the flight deck of a 747 an observe. The sunset on that flight from the flight deck was so incredible. Visits while on Commercial flights, of course are now a thing of the past, sadly.
I was in an A-7 squadron and knew the wing was well above my head when standing. Even kneeling, when a plane was launched I reflexively tried to get lower. Just couldn’t help it!
I found that interesting to watch & hear the explanation . Thank you for a very good video .
As a veteran of the US Army I appreciate the hardwork my bothers in arms do and I love the fact that Putin does not have a single worth while aircraft carrier. Not. A. Single. One.
At my last job, my boss was a Navy diver. When interviewing me for my job, where i was to maintain electronic equipment in a major sports broadcasting network. He asked me, "How well do you work under pressure?"
I told him, "I worked night ops on the IKE (CVN-69) as an AT, on the flight deck." His response was, "Can you start tomorrow?" I retired from that job after 16 years.
Thank you everyone that serves.
I was striking to be an AT on the IKE back in 93-95. School in TN was full so I couldn't re-enlist to be an AT. But I did work in AIMD learning AT work in their shop. Was a lot of fun.
@gilly775 I was an AT2 with VA66 in 78-80 on the IKE and they wanted me to re-inlist as an AQ. I got out and joined the reserves after my 3rd year in the reserves. They wanted me to transfer over to AQ again. They broke my 6 year re-elistmen at that point and I left the reserves.
@@monadking2761was AT full back then? I just remember it being filled up when I was striking and as I was leaving after 2 years. I was one of the last two year enlistees as they were getting ready to kill that option. If I got into AT school I would have stayed in but looking back, I’m kinda glad I didn’t. I heard it was tough moving up through the ranks. I may have done AE as my Dad was before he went to college and flew for the Marines. But I wonder if that was full too. The guy I met with for reenlisting wasn’t very helpful in open Aviation rates.
Thank You Thank you. Very informative. Poetry in motion. Thankful that we have such highly trained and dedicated crews in our Armed Services. Thank You All. God Bless You All
The work done on a CVN should inspire every American to do his or her best. Look at all the people that have to do their job perfectly every time to not have a disaster.
@Account NumberEight - Not quite $900,000,000,000,000. But it beats being forced to learn Chinese.
20 years in Naval Aviation. Very well-done video!
Thank you for taking care of me. I respect you.
Salute !
Great explanation. More people need to watch this. Talk about a well trained team.
This just tells me that it would be a mistake to put me on the deck of an aircraft carrier. I'd never remember all the hand signals.
God Bless them 👍🏾
Very interesting. Our son Navy BM2 99-2007. Thank you for sharing
That is impressive! I am thankful they are on our side