Life on the Flight Deck.
By Avikerensky
Published 14 years ago
I actually know this guy. Worked with him on the Kitty Hawk.
And F-14 Tomcat preparing for launch. The angled plates behind the jet serve to deflect the exhaust, termed 'Jet Blast Deflectors,' or 'JBDs.'
An F-14 Tomcat touching down during landing.
A V-4 Division 'Grape' preparing to refuel an aircraft. The hoses weigh several hundred pounds.
The first half is the catapult from above. The second pane is the inside, during maintenance.
An S-3 Viking refueler tanker lined up for launch.
A Rafale aircraft leaving the flight deck of a carrier.
An F/A-18 Super Hornet approaching the deck to land.
A C-2 CoD flight preparing to depart. CoDs carry mail, other supplies, and personnel to and from the ship.
An F/A-18 Hornet refueling at night.
An SH-60 Seahawk performing VERTREP (Vertical Replenishment). Hundreds of transfers, one at a time.
Flight deck personnel from all divisions erect the 'Barricade.' A large net, designed to catch distressed aircraft.
An F/A-18 Super Hornet at full power, awaits launch. Yes, the catapult is strong enough to hold the plane down.
A V-1 Division aircraft director prepares an F-18 Super Hornet for launch.
A V-4 Division 'Grape' refueler pulling out the fueling hose.
Another F/A-18 Hornet at full thrust.
More inspections. No room for error.
A V-2 Catapult crewman does a preliminary inspection of the launching apparatus.
Two SH-60 Seahawk helicopters resting. Note the fuel hose on the back helicopter.
Having received the 'go ahead,' the 'Shooter' signals the catapult operator (and the pilot) that the launch is authorized.
A V-2 Division officer 'Shooter' awaits confirmation from the V-2 catapult crew member in the previous picture.
A V-2 Division catapult crew does a final inspection of the launching apparatus, and gives the 'go ahead' signal.
An F-14 Tomcat fighter arriving on the catapult.
An E-2C Hawkeye prepares for takeoff.
Airwing squadron members scrub the oil from the flight deck. This is done twice a week.
An F/A-18 Hornet taking off of the flight deck, afterburners at full.
A V-2 Division catapult operator stands by to launch the next aircraft.
A V-2 Division Catapult crew member confirming the weight of the aircraft for the catapult.
