Is this the best job on the Flight Deck? | Catapult Safety Observer (Pt. 1)
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 10 พ.ย. 2017
- Of all the jobs on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, Catapult Safety Observer is (in our opinion!) the most fun and action-packed. The star of the show, the Catapult Safety Observer is the flight deck supervisor for all launches off of their catapult. Nothing beats saluting a pilot when they're at full power!
Their job is to ensure all personnel are safely and expeditiously made ready for flight operations, to ensure all personnel run their watch stations efficiently, ensure a clear deck forward, and get the final signal from the pilot that they are ready for launch (the salute).
Though this job was previously performed by Officers (and still is when the catapults are operating in "Deckedge Mode" instead of "ICCS Mode"), this job is more commonly performed by an enlisted Aviation Boatswain's Mate Equipment (ABE), typically E-4 and above, fully qualified in all flight deck qualifications.
Of all of the quals to be had on the flight deck, this one will always have been one of our favorites. We could talk about this one forever!
Note: we used a little bit of editing in this video to fast-forward to the good parts. There is also an under-instruction (UI) sailor as well.
- PLEASE WATCH PART 2! • Merry Christmas from t... -
----
If you liked this video:
- Hit the “THUMBS UP” button!
- Hit the “SHARE” button to share this video with everyone you know!
- Of course, please “SUBSCRIBE” button so you’re up to date every time we upload a video!
---
Want to see our videos on other channels?
Follow us on our Facebook: / flightdecklife
Check us out on our Instagram: / flightdecklifevideos
Watch our stuff on our TikTok: / flightdecklife
Check out our Linktree for a one-stop shop for all of our channels: linktr.ee/FlightDeckLife
----
#FlightDeckLife - วิทยาศาสตร์และเทคโนโลยี
when you salute the pilot just before they take off that must be so awesome.
Actually
I believe it's a visual confirmation from the PILOT that all systems are GO.
If a nod ...the launch is aborted
@@georgeokorie905 Huh? All he was saying was that he thought it was neat. No explanation required.
@@georgeokorie905 I thought it was because all pilots are officers and you're showing their rank respect as in a "Good luck" type of way.
End of command. Im out.
@TheiMpActX I was told by an NCO that a salute is a sign of respect, and also being traded as a mutual way of saying "thank you for what you do".
The moment he stopped the guy moving forward at 3:58, shows he was really paying attention at all times.
Hamza Irfan Head on a swivel!
@@theresareineke6753 that man was about to lose his head
Spiritual Beetle I just rewatched the video...where do you see someone in danger of losing their head? The guy wearing the camera pulled back the green-shirt trainee because he got too close to the line, but he wasn’t in any danger of losing his head. Head on a swivel means to be on the alert in all directions. It’s a regular proverb onboard ship, not anything derogatory.
@@theresareineke6753 Yes he was. If the the catapault had launched while he was standing there, the wing would have cleaned his head out had he not ducked in time. As the guy said, once its armed you don't step in front of the jet, because if something goes wrong and the catapault fires, anything in front of the jet is fucked.
NathanM4A1 Well thank you for taking the time to explain it - no one else gave this explanation. I can see your point. 🙂
Its a good thing he kept pulling the new guy back, his mustache is too valauble to lose
Oh is that why theres 2 of them?
This is like a massive gang sign competition...
Funny I was thinking the same 🤣
All ex-baseball players.
It’s all choreographed chaos that requires the upmost discipline and attention to detail.
A very poor comparison. These young men are performing a job where mistakes cost lives. There is absolutely no room for error. Comparing their critical communication in an extremely loud environment to arrogant and ignorant thugs on the street is a disservice to our Sailors.
Gary Eddy you must be fun at parties
My 14 year old son's dream is to become a naval aviator, he was just accepted in the Summer STEM at the Naval Academy, hopefully he'll make it.
UPDATE JUNE 2022: He is 16yo now and going to 11 grade, working with the USNA admissions office and blue and gold officers, preparing for the ACT exam. He was accepted for the third time in the Summer STEM.
congratulations
We hope he does too.🙂
Good luck to him it’s a awesome life
Ah man, that's great and I wish the best for your son to make it. Good luck for him and hope you all stay safe. ❤😊
I was just accepted too. Too bad they cancelled it this year. I was really looking forward to it
Thank you for the video. I get to see what my dad used to do as a AO Ordanance red jacket. He served 30 years in the united states navy came out as a CWO4. I miss him He passed away on January 29 2019. Thank you
Navy for always treating our family good.
Sorry for your dad and thanks for his work as well it looks cool on videos for sure but it takes a lot for sure
Recently lost my grandfather who has been my father figure since a very young age, and reading this comment made me think of him. He worked on a missile range and towed jets to and from the runway on a airforce base for about 30 years. It feels good to remember him so thank you
Hand Salute. Nothing but respect for CWOs.
i salute your father. Rest in Peace to him.
Thank you for your service, Shipmate. Fair Winds and Following Seas.
The guy who stands behind the plane before takeoff doesn't fly off the deck because his balls are so massive they weight him down.
Yep.
I agree!!!!!!!
@prinsesa iomperreo Wrong video?
This makes a civilian airport look like a garden party.
Dan Valdivia the dude literally as BALLS OF STEEL 😁
Not Really that bad, just doing a fun job, 12 on 12 off. Cat checker, 2 West Pacs, 71 & 73, Kitty Hawk, Rvah7. Hook fingers in pad eye, visual 12 criticals, thumbs, turtle down and HANG ON. Got paid $3/ day F/D pay. Sure beat in-country.The Yellow shirts deserve praise, they run the show.
Fantastic video!!
Two “variations” from a normal launch really shows how good these guys are when something’s not quite right!
Watch from 3:29, the red shirt ordy has his guy arm the weapons and hand control back to the left yellow shirt who then hands it to the next yellow shirt who forgets the flight is armed and is pulled back
Then 4:20 the yellow shirt again hands control to the next one who doesn’t notice the scrub/cancel from the mechanic near the Jet Blast Deflector who’s spotted something with maybe the tail hook.
This isn’t about someone making mistakes, this is about an amazing system of coordination that handles these variations immediately and thoroughly!
Learn so much more from these videos than the ones where apparently nothing ever goes wrong.
Thank you for sharing!!!!
Overall you are entirely correct, but from a launch package perspective, I think both the Boss and Mini would be disappointed at the ‘shots’ per minute goin on here! Maybe this was a carqual or train up, but back in the 60s or 70s we did it much more smoothly and rapidly…
@@edwardweeden8837 I think things have changed significantly since the seventies, I would hope. And I would hope that safety would come before volume. I mean in today’s tech environment, does it really matter if you can only get 8 jets up instead of 11. One jet from today can do what 6 jets from 1970 could do and more.
I remember the first batch of F-14 in 1975 was about $30 million each. The Super Hornets must about $200 million, and the Raptor in 1998 was about $250 million each. The USS BHR LHA that caught fire in San Diego and scrapped will be replaced at over $2 billion. Yeah, safety and conservation are first.
CVN 69 Dwight d Eisenhower.
I was on holiday (vacation) in Magaluf, Majorca back in 1990 and this awesome carrier dropped anchor in the bay off Palma. Got talking to two aircraft controllers in a bar one night and they offered my and my then girlfriend a guided tour of the ship, it was the most awesome thing I've ever seen. We boarded on a platform on the stern and after walking up and down endless corridors and stairs seeing how this thing operated I totally lost my sense of direction. Back in those days the main aircraft on board were the legendary F14 Tomcats. The only places we were not allowed to see were the nuclear powered engine room and the pilots briefing rooms. Totally unforgettable experience, will remember it for the rest of my life.
Though not your tour guide. I was a crew member of 'IKE' on that day. I was attached to one of the F-18 squadrons. Though, I worked on hornets on flight deck, my heart was attached to the tomcats... they where absolute beasts.
How lucky were you!!!
4:35 - someone was paying GOOD attention
That's why they always told us to pay attention to detail.
what happened that time?
@@iamsokyut the launch bar retracted?
@azorian129 it was a loose panel. They cancel the cat, bring the shuttle back, have the pilot raise the launch bar (it went up automatically once the shuttle was back which is what you saw), and then tell the pilot to knock it off
@@heefie8659 thanks
This is the same way my wife sends me off to work !!!
😂🤣
No slautes though....
Smartthinker g - just say to her ‘carry on recruit ‘ 😂😂😂😂
Oh shit lmao that’s funny started choking 😂😂😂
😂😂
I always thought the best job was the person fishing from the back of the ship!
No, it's the seals who use the back like a personal firing range for practicing.
That's where the best fishing is. The pilots that land short end up as chum for the big ones.
@@adenicolo thats not just seals. Thats a lit of different rates that do flight deck gun shoots. The gunnersmates are the one that lead the whoke course and do all the overwatch. Snd they do the training for the flight deck gun shoots. Then marines that are on MEUs do flight deck shoots. Master at arms also participate in flight deck gun shoots for certifications. And also VBSS (visit, board, search, and seizure) do flight deck shoots. VBSS teams are held of many rates like Boatswains mates, gunnersmates, master at arms, Yoemans, and any other rate that volenteers and does the vbss training .
ACTUALLY THIS WAS TRUE. I was on CV64 worked Jet Shop (we were in the Indian Ocean 1979) and one day we put an aircraft cable hooked up to a giant 2 prong hook with a huge steak tied around a TURNSTILE. Got a GREAT WHITE pulled that sucker up to the main deck, 20 feet above the water. That thing was pissed, couldn't believe it, bit through the cable and our Chief said, "you guys are lucky because if that thing came on deck, you would all be dead." That thing was huge.
Or playing football with the steam catapult.
I'll just sit here and pretend I'm doing the same thing sending off sailplanes at the local field, and cry a little bit inside...
Awesome couple of vids, much appreciated.
Join the Navy and you'll be able to launch those jets. Remember the Navy is an adventure. I forgot the slogan tbh.
Devontae Nash “It’s not just a job, but, an adventure.”
@@devontaenash1409 You sound like a recruiting add
@@devontaenash1409 but u need engineering course right?🤷♂️🤷♂️
Same
It is daunting watching this video. There is so much going on on deck. Not paying attention could be disastrous. The way the guys work together is amazing ❤️🇺🇸💙
Showed this to my Daughter - she is 4, she started practicing the hand signals and tried a salute - proud Dad Moment.
@@Oussama-sabouh And I get infected if someone sneezes too. Bullshit.
@@Oussama-sabouh
Stfu dude let him do what he wants I'm sure he's a great dad
Brainwashed non sense wake up
Our carriers, pilots, crews, deck crews are just amazing. Thanks guys and gals.
8 ugi
You're not the only one having aircrafts carriers, pilots, deck crews...
That is why they call it
ORGANIZED CHAOS!!
This is the best video on flight deck operations, posted, I’ve ever seen. Thank you, very much for doing so. Semper Fidelis!!!
This has got to be one helluva rush watching these bad boys take off.
My hats off to you all! Thanks for being there on the front lines , no matter what you are doing, it all takes team work! Stay safe and thanks for a great vid! Air Force
Brilliant videos, please do one with commentary of what all the hand signals are. Thank you for your service 👍
Google natops hand signals, it is the first pdf link
@@Hadduck thanks for that link
I been military since I was 17. I love watching yes even marine I was Navy military videos. I love to see how bad ass we are. Even good movies that show real stuff
I've stood on this flight deck while they were launching, and the video doesn't do the experience justice. When they jets throttle up, and start moving all their flaps, it shakes your bones, you feel it in your chest, it is INTENSE! It was so rad. I'm sure it becomes routine, but for the day I was out, it was awesome every time.
Routine is never quite routine on the FD Nick. As I’ve said above, it is like a ballet, like choreography. After doing this for a while, You know exactly where to stand, to step. You know exactly how everything should sound, look and feel. You even know when to expect signals and what they should be. If any of this is NOT ‘just right’ it is sort of like missing a step in the ballet…you adjust it, fix it and carry on. The Air Plan for the package is key.
I’d goes as far as to call it a HEATED gang sign competition. Thanks for all you do out there we appreciate the sacrifices made to keep us safe.
Thank you U.S. Navy. Great effort on the flight deck. Well done, thanks for the share and... FLY NAVY!
Bring back some old memories, Love to be out there again...lot of fun at 19 years old playing with all that power...
Amen James, still miss it. But it would be different if we were out there now. Lots more technology, different planes, drones, different buddies, etc.
Oh my gosh! You young people are consummate professionals on that flight deck. Always have your ears and eyes open; head on a constant swivel and everywhere except up your ... Otherwise things can go deadly real quick it appears. Not a place for day dreamers or slackers. Kudos to all of you and your devotion to service.
I have seen FD crew blown overboard during night flight ops, never to be seen again.
@@edwardweeden8837 Absolutely terrible. Sad to hear of this.
Nothing better than on the job training. A teaching moment. Well done.
Thanks for sharing. I'd love to spend a day on a carrier. Awesome.
Nice to see these boys getting the job done safely!!!
I was a marine on lhd 6 can I always thought it was neat watching the respect between the pilot and the shooter and the ground crew with their hand signals.
One of the coolest things to see aircraft launch and land on a carrier deck !!
I was blessed to have... What I had the impression to have had the BEST job in the World and that was V-1 Flightdeck Yellowshirt aboard the USS John F Kennedy (CV 67) 1973 thru 1976. I was virtually always assigned to the bow, or Fly 1 and was the Fly 1 Catapult Director. We brought the plane up to the cat and hold while V-2 Catapult division workers do their very critical work. This is also a time for Squadron Safety Inspectors are on top, underneath and the ordnance crews double checking all ordnance removing safety pins and everything is loose
This is a ballet of duties then the V-2 Green Shirts Are Ready To Go. Then everybody gets away from the plane. My hand signals are extremely critical and. The Pilots focus is on me. I then turn to the flight Officer for a thumbs up. Then I nod to Pilot and back up 4 or 5 broad steps getting on the safe side of the foul line. I outstretch my left arm which signals the sideline Cat 1 Catapult Operator to engage the gear to the launch setting. My Right arm is vertical and if professionally look at the pilot bob that it’s okay , quick salute and then my position to the Catapult Officer where’s he and the pilot salute. And extends his body out to touch the deck and the booom ! And you do this over and over till the end of launch. And then we begin to reposition planes for The upcoming recovery. And that is for another time.
God I miss it ! I fulfilled my hitch and think of it all of their time
I want to know what you were doing the night of November 22, 1975! I was there, so I look forward to your answer!
Damn awesome, job. I 2531(RTO), 3/5, 1/9, 1stTKBN, 3rd RECON, 10th MAR,(cannon Cockers). Different units overseas VietnamEra Vet. Grunts do it N the MUD!!!!!😈😈
@william coe Somebody on this thread mentioned being aboard the John F Kennedy during a certain time period, as it related to the original video. I asked what they remember about Nov 22, 1975, because that was the date that a US cruiser collided with the Kennedy off the coast of Sicily. I was an IC electrician aboard the Claude V RIcketts and we were the prime rescue and firefighting ship.that night.
@william coe Thanks for the post, fills in some gaps in the vid.
I have been reading all these comments and FINALLY got to yours - you said it BEST. A launch (and recovery) is a Ballet. A seasoned crew makes the choreography look almost effortless, but in fact it is very much the opposite! I miss it too, and neither one of us will EVER get over it Bob!
Best wishes and thanks for keeping us safe thanks to all who serve .
Holy shit!! The Mighty Ike! This was my home from Jan '90 -June '93. My best friend was in V-2, cat-2. We all worked hard on deployment but NO ONE worked as hard as the flight deck crew.
Personally I have to agree with you Rob…but there are many snipes down in the mains that might say they work just as hard!
@@edwardweeden8837There were times that I had ABE’s wishing that they could swap duties with the MM Snipes. Sometimes the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
No one told me i could do this for a job when i left school. Totally mesmerising, i could watch this all day.
I’d say that any aircraft related profession which includes “observer” in its title would be pretty amazing.
Synchronised chaos. Great job!
This is just utterly awesome to watch. You all in those ships are just fantastic people. Thank you
That is so badass. One look at one of these jets and you'd know you've fucked with the wrong person entirely.
Wow! You really have keep your eyes on a swivel out there! That’s intense. From a Navy veteran: Thank you for your service.
Yes you must { Be 'A LERT'..... "lerts" live longer....} :) (that was a safety poster logo)
Another great safety poster, "Make the Safety Officer Smile!". The "smile" shown was a very tight grimace.
Even tho I don't know what most it means, I could watch this chit all day.
I'll never get sick of watching these videos. Great job to everyone on that boat. Thanks for sharing.
if they will use this kind of spectacular body language on a soccerfield then it will never be the same ..
incredible job and really nice that the video came without music.
superb team and sportsman ship
Holy cow! There is a lot to carrier launch, no wonder they call it a controlled chaos! Awesome !
I was fortunate enough as a civilian aircraft photographer to be on board the USS Forrestal for three days in the Mediterranean in 1991.
What you can't tell or experience from these awesome videos is that the deck is as slippery as an ice skating ring with a mix of seawater, fuel, hydraulic fluid and oil. That's the platform you are performing on.
And the wind blowing across the deck. One split second not keeping your mind with it and you're a goner.
I gained tremendous respect for these kids, some barely 19 yrs old.
You have to experience it to fully understand and appreciate what they do for 6 months in a row. For half a year that ship is your only world. Some of it just trying to find your way out of the gangways. Any maze is a piece of cake compared to a carrier below deck. If we didn't have our 'guardian angel' with us I would still be wandering around below deck somewhere.
GO NAVY!
@@EagleOneM1953 thankfully, both the deck materials and the upkeep have changed. It's a much more safe operation today. That said, still very complex.
@@EagleOneM1953 Eagle, you didn’t mention that the deck rolls and pitches too! View some Google posts of ‘rolling / pitching carrier decks’!
@@edwardweeden8837 Right, although when I was on board the Mediterranean was relatively calm so the pitching and rolling wasn't that bad. at lesast I didn't;t think it was...I spent 4 days on board and never felt seasick... but yes, I've seen it worse on TH-cam videos like you say... I guess it happens more often in the vast Atlantic than i9n the Mediterranean where we were...
@@EagleOneM1953 I was PACFlt all the way, so can't compare oceans / seas. My favorite moments were leaving our harbors / port areas (San Diego, SF Bay or Sinclair inlet. On the bridge I was able to distinctly feel the ship pass from no pitch/roll to a distinct 'rock n roll'. My worst moments were passing a bit too near to a typhoon in 1980 going north from Subic Bay to Yokosuka. There were also some very historic moments - passing by Battleship Row in Pearl Harbor, steaming through San Bernardino Strait in the Philippines or being backed into the same drydock in Yokosuka where the battleship Yamato was constructed. My only terrifying minutes were our April 4th 1979 collision with a tanker within sight of the early morning lights of Singapore (local time: 0459). Fair Winds and Folllowing Seas to you!
Great video as always. Happy veterans day!
This is a well choreographed dance 👍 And I am grateful for it ! Thank you men & women of the US Navy 💥💥👍🇺🇸🇺🇸
Coolest job ever! 👉👉👉👉👉👉👉👉salute🇺🇸👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫🛫
It is like I was there. Great point of view.
It's just so *expletive* cool. I'm glad they are on my side.
Control stick , rudder pedals - full and free - Time to GOOOOO!!!!!!!
Great videos and thanks for your dedication to the honor of being in such a prestigious position! Well done!
Splendid choreography of the highest order 👍
I am so proud of all of them.
Great vid n thank u for serving n protects the people 💪👏👌
GOOD JOB BOYS YOU MAKE US PROUD
On me brake at work night cleaner watching this lol cool job here flight deck ops
This is awesome to watch!
Be still my heart, to be able to see never mind being 20ty and wanting to train for any of this would be out of this world... thankyou for sharing Brilliant
Young guys GROW UP here!
It's this beautifully choreographed dance synchronized to the needs of a nation. When no less than 1,000 military members need to be on the same page it becomes routine after about a year. And it's never routine. If you're butt ain't puckering you've got some issues.
I retired from the Navy with 21 years as a ADCS, spent my share of time on the flight deck, started off as a Plane Captain and finally as Flight Deck Coordinator for VFA-132 onboard Coral Sea quiet a few years ago. What I would really like to point out is at 6:25 those two guys have about the cleanest flight deck jerseys and float coats I have ever seen, even the one guys gloves are clean!?! People who actually work up there don't stay clean very long at all.
I see what you’re talking about. And most of those personnel that you’ve witnessed launching the aircraft with clean jerseys are usually the ones that don’t get their hands dirty with maintenance. They’re only there for the show. If you could understand what I’m talking about.
It doesn’t happen all of the time, but regarding this video, this is exactly what’s happening.
More awesome to be the pilot who returns the salute.
awesome videos man! way to hold it down for the ABE's. I run waist safety on the Roosevelt!
I LOVE the redundancy, it makes it so safe for our all men and women! Great work!!
Also makes it easy to get complacent!
@@AndyGarcia-ch1cianybody who is complacent on the FD is soon transferred to V-3, given another billet on the ship, or becomes fish food!
@@edwardweeden8837 actually they got to v5 lol
@@edwardweeden8837 or sent to security
@@AndyGarcia-ch1ci yeah, but a lot of the crews I was with didn’t want to get too close to the SMAAs.
The Jolly Rogers have the best looking CAG jet and logo! Love them skull & cross bones ☠️
Johnny Jackson I have to agree VFA-103 Jolly Rogers is one of the best logos. But, you gotta like VFA-31 Tomcatters and VFA-41 Black Aces. Both of which are two of the 3 oldest in the U.S. Navy today.
Jolly Roger is actually the name of that “pirate flag” I guess it brings a whole new badass meaning to the flight!!
Daniel Navarro huh?
If I were a terminal patient, this would be my make a wish.
Always loved this
My Gramps retired CW-03, I miss him alot he was one of the best men I knew, never talked bad about anyone, and always talked to me stern, he made you believe in yourself and he would pray with you.
His other brother flew a P51 and the other was Navy also all 3 brothers served. 2 were KIA, I never got to meet them, we have lost so many to war, makes me tear up have alot of heart for our military.
0:13 funny number on the control tower
The Mighty Ike. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) Was my home for three and a half years.
My expeience dates back to the old Essex Class carriers. No canted decks during the Korean War 1950-1953. I was an AF3 - ready cameraman on the flight deck. Worked out of the Left side catwalks. The most dangerous thing was the propellers. (Yes, Still had Prop Aircraft then.) Then there was the prop wash. It actually blew a man overboard just taxing to the run up postion. Ble him off the back of the flight deck. The fuelers of the Panther Jets with the End of wing Fuel tanks would require the fuler have to hook a ladder up to fill them, he would be hanging over the edge of the flight deck looking at the sea over 75 feet below. Just plain scarry! We lost 6 men to on flight deck accidents during that cruise. Two were from my squadron and were well known to me! There wasn't any joy attending their burial services at sea. Something I have never forgot! The newest caarriers have faster and bigger aircraft, and the dangers have multiplied. The average age of the men working on a carrier fligh deck is between 19 and 20.
Thank you, interesting reading...
Would you survive the fall?
They still have props on the big carriers, today.
My grandpa served 2 tours in Korea as a rescue swimmer. Off of LSTs and the oriskany and badoeng straight.
my Father + was in USN 1950 -1953 was on the USS Philip sea carrier. said there where jets,props and rotor aircraft. Thank You for you service
I think it is I was stationed on IKE my first command and worked that deck all the guys/girls do a great job to make it all happen working on the deck is one of the best jobs in the navy.
These shooters are totally cool my heart skips a beat
3:54 HERO
is there any vids with commentary of whats going on ?
Gevaarlijke baan , maar prachtig om te zien
👍👍👍
I love these guys & gals!
Thatz alot of guys to wind up a rubber band.
I love watching this stuff. Respect
It's not a rubber band but thank you :)
I've seen that rubber band up close on the USS Forrestal in 1991.
The catapult steam room is quite something. As is the piston that moves it.And it's hotter than hell in there. Not for the faint hearted to be operating that piece of equipment.
Oh, and by the way, that cable on deck is about 4" thick and can snap you in two if it snaps.
I've seen one snap and careen all over the deck. If you're not paying attention it can be your last day not doing that.
@@EagleOneM1953 It is an intricate and fascinating system, isn't it?! The cable isn't quite as stout as you make it out to be but it is a multilayered lang lay cable that can take a certain number of normal arrests and a few off center grabs before it has to be replaced. That job (rereading the cables) sucks, but it's cool how it works.
@@chrismaggio7879
U spent a week on the USS Forrestal in 1991 as a civilian photographer taking pictures for one of my Lock On books (Nº14-available at Amazon still) and was taken into the belly of the beast...the engine room, the room with the arresting cable holdback contraption...it is huge and when an aircraft on deck grabs the cable the thing moves along rails slowed down by oil in pistons...scared the pants off of me and I was unable to take a picture because of the noise and the speed it moved...startled me like nothing else I ever experienced...
I can't remember after how many traps they changed the cables but I've seen some worn-out ones on deck...
@@willypeeters6136 Hey Willy, sorry but you must have had someone with the same name doing your photography. I was stationed on the USS Abe Lincoln (Plank owner), and went TAD to both the Ike and the America. But I never had the opportunity to go aboard the Forrestal. However, my tax guy and good friend Larry was aboard when the massive fire happened and barely survived. His stories are scary and fascinating.
Honestly, the number on the aircraft carrier tower, is just magnificent.
Nice
Like myself, did and do others have the same following feeling?
When in, the enlisted person's credo, "if you ain't bitching, you ain't happy" but of course, not applied when on duty. There always seems to be one guy in the outfit that is a lot happier (see quote) than everyone else.
A few years after being out, "proud to have served and what a great experience."
You guys are real heroes! Airmanship at its best!
Having recently visited the Midway and had lots of great conversations with her ex crew I can somewhat appreciate what goes on there. Its truly jawdropping. I would actually like to serve on a carrier as an aircraft mechanic. It would be truly awesome
@@lastnamefirstname520 some of the FD docents on Midway actually will put you on the deck as a ‘pilot’ and signal you in and approach to the cat shuttle bar position. It’s FUN!
Ugh, I know I'm showing my age, but I still have a hard time seeing my beloved skull and crossbones on Hornets. Great videos, really makes me reminisce.
Thank you for your service!
Looked better on the Tomcats.
Hornettes. Tomcat...anytime baby!
Had GE not come to the Rescue with New Engines for the Tomcat. The F-14 would have died in the mid 80's. Those Pratt and Whitney Engines were dropping one Tomcat into the Ocean every 38 days on average.
I take it the guy with the mustache was new? because he kept having to be pulled back lol
Yeah, later you can hear the guy in the white shirt tell the cameraman to make sure he keeps that guy back.
yes, I saw that too
I see a shuttle, but no bridle's ,F4's at night, defined "a rush" that's became we, an unforgettable exliperance of flight deck life ,above and worsre, belowdecks
Best Job👍
Y. T. Grazie!
BUONANOTTE 💝🎅
Anyone know what was happening when the shooter’s was pulled back and they had to recheck the plane before taking off? Damn that’s a dangerous job and these guys doing it day in and day out. Much respect
If you listen closely to their exchange later, he pulled the guy back by the vest because the guy in green shirt and yellow vest was either across or about to cross the foul line.
The other guy was like, "There wasn't even a bomb on that jet."
A minute later you hear GoPro guy lean in and say, "It doesn't matter if there's no bomb on it, you don't walk out there," or something similar.
As to why they aborted the launch, I believe the troubleshooter said something about a panel popping open, but it was fine now. It's hard to be sure with all the jet noise.
I miss my days on the flightline...
4:43 I repeated that moment over 10 times. Amazing job
Me too. I even raised the volume on my speakers to full blast just to hear what he was saying to the cameraman. I can't say for sure but it sounded like he was checking on a small panel or door being unlatched.
One of the best jobs.....period. :)
Best job on an aircraft carrier: F-18E Wingman.
The shooters seemed like they love their job.
I'm on a friend's tabiet,but my name is Barry Poland and I was on the IKE from ninety to ninety four.this was my job. It was as awesome as it looks.
This looks like practice before deployment . We were launching 4 at a time in quick session in Nam
The Shooter spot is awesome!
For those needing a transcription of the verbal exchanges, I'll do my best, but some is nearly impossible to make out...
4:05 FDL: "It's in Arm (the catapult), you can't get in front of it."
4:56 FDL: "What?"
Troubleshooter: "It's good to go, a panel popped open."
FDL: "Hmm?"
Troubleshooter: "A door popped open." (This exchange is difficult to be sure of due to the jet noise.)
6:19 FDL: "???????????????.... unless I say so."
Trainee: (Probably thinking FDL mean the jet, not the cat, was armed) "There ain't a bomb on that ??"
FDL: "Do what?"
Trainee: "There ain't a bomb on that jet."
Safety Officer: "Great job, you keep pulling him back. *pause* "Great job, you keep pulling him back."
6:39 FDL: "Hey man, it don't... It don't matter if there's no bomb there, you still cannot step on that other side."
Hope this helps!!
Nicely done Austin!
Thanks for the info. I was going to suggest subtitles to explain the operations step-by-step as I was puzzled by the hiatus in the launch of the aircraft on the waist cat.
Jesus Christ……don’t do that! I honestly thought that I was reading a script for a play. It fucks with my head.
Glad I joined the air force. After a hard days work, I head downtown or liquor store and get a six pack, then relax on my lazy boy recliner and watch my shows on TV. You can't do that on a ship.....hahahah! Got to wait till you hit port and get drunk as a skunk, but you got to get back on the ship and back in your cramped bunk.
Don't forget that wonderful feeling of sending the officers to the fighting, while you're off to Wendy's to get lunch!
Did you say Airforce or chair-force ?
Did you say Airforce or chair-force ?
I really love the video. Thank you for your service!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I will forever be impressed by the teamwork and coordination that goes into this.
FDL, why would an officer perform basically the same job as an ABE with the only difference being deckedge/ICCS mode? Is one more involved/complicated?
An officer or V2 Shooter doesn’t perform the same job as an ABE. Most Shooters don’t have the extensive knowledge on how Catapults really work. They focus on the aircraft and the dynamics and configuration to get it off the flight deck without mishaps.
Most, and I emphasize the word “most” only know exactly ALL of the moving components of the Catapult to make it operational.
From a Shooters standpoint, the only difference between Topside and ICCS is weather. If it’s raining, ICCS. If it’s snowing, ICCS. Clear sky’s, Topside.
What happens if there's an emergency with two cats full, flightdeck full of crew, if say there's an immediate emergency landing required?
Gray Google “Angled Deck”
11 degrees means they can trap and cat at the same time.
Emergency Pull Forwards have been done. I have seen "Pull Forwards" being completed within minutes to make a Ready Deck for a "Crippled Jet" to Trap.
Curt has it right. Also there is usually time between an emergency call and "wheels dry". If for some reason the deck couldn't be cleared in time, or if the aircraft was too disabled to actually land without destroying the deck, they would have it come parallel with the carrier and either have them jettison in view of the carrier and have the helo (which is ALWAYS up and ready during flight ops) pick them up, or if they have to ditch the aircraft the same thing applies. There are also other ships nearby so the carrier can use one of them for rescue ops.
@@chrismaggio7879 or they could ‘rig the barrier’. Please Google the ‘rand mcnally’ landing on uss Ranger to see a TH-cam example.
VERY COOL. TOTAL RESPECT FOR ALL INVOLVED
Beautiful!!
I was a tower operator and LSO platform operator on cv61 uss ranger years ago!
Smee Again did you ever get to grade someone an OK 3 wire trap?
Spent my best years in the Navy on board Ranger. A happy ship during my years onboard!