Maintainers and handlers; the men and women who keep them flying.

[Alpha_Echo_606]

SOUTH CHINA SEA (Feb. 22, 2010) A sailor assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6 performs maintenance on an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nichelle Noelle Whitfield/Released) 100222-N-7939W-063

100303-N-3038W-872 PHILIPPINE SEA (March 3, 2010) Aviation Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Kristina Frye, from Vero Beach, Fla, assigned to the Indians of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 6, performs maintenance on an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11 are deployed to the western Pacific region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner Jr./Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

100304-N-5538K-068 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 4, 2010) Aviation Boatswains Mate (Fuel) 2nd Class Ranulfo C. Gonzalez drags a JP-5 fuel hose after refueling an AH-1 Super Cobra helicopter on the flight deck of the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock ship USS Denver (LPD 9). Denver is part of the forward deployed Essex Amphibious Ready Group and is conducting spring patrol. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Casey H. Kyhl/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

CARIBBEAN SEA (Jan. 27, 2010) Fight deck directors aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD 48) launch an MV-22 Osprey assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (MMV) 162. Ashland is supporting Operation Unified Response following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that caused severe damage in Haiti on Jan. 12. (U.S. Navy photo, by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky/Released) 100127-N-1082Z-073

PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 25, 2010) A Sailor on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu (LHA 5) guides a CH-53E Sea Stallion helicopter using a sparring dolly. Peleliu is underway conducting an integration training exercise in preparation for a scheduled 2010 deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Omar A. Dominquez/Released) 100225-N-1226D-069

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

U.S. Navy Aviation Boatswain?s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Marcialiced Arrendondo, left, and Aviation Boatswain?s Mate Airman Christina Marszalek build a snowman on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) Jan. 29, 2010, during a snow storm off the coast of Virginia. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mike Lenart, U.S. Navy/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

INDIAN OCEAN (Jan. 28, 2010) Aviation ordnance personnel assigned to the Warhawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 load ordnance onto an F/A-18C Hornet aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime strategy. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/Released) 100128-N-3327M-246

U.S. Navy Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Miguel Trejo and Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Gregory Schroeder, both assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, perform preflight checks on an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), under way in the North Arabian Sea, Jan. 17, 2010. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 14, 2010) Sailors assigned to the Wallbangers of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 prepare an E-2C Hawkeye for launch aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class James Mitchell/Released) 100114-N-3327M-132

U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Jason Edwards and Petty Officer 3rd Class Shah Mitesh, both from Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron [VAW-125], conduct maintenance on the rotodome of a E-2C Hawkeye aircraft at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Jan. 25, 2010. (DoD photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Nistas, U.S. Navy/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

GULF OF OMAN (Feb. 19, 2010) Aviation boatswain's mates paint the flight deck during a no-fly-day aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69). Dwight D. Eisenhower is on a six-month deployment as a part of the on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chad R. Erdmann/Released)
100219-N-4236E-098

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

Always a fun evolution, just don’t get sucked in.

100227-N-3038W-346 SEA OF JAPAN (Feb. 27, 2010) Flight deck personnel push back an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations supporting maritime strategy in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner Jr./Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

From left, U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Geoffrey Hirschfeld and Staff Sgt. Chris Miller help Senior Airman Steven Kossar change a constant speed drive on a B-1B Lancer aircraft at an undisclosed location in Southwest Asia March 2, 2010. Miller and Hirschfeld are electro and environmental technicians and Kossar is a jet engine technician. All are deployed to the 34th Aircraft Maintenance Unit. (DoD photo by Senior Airman Kasey Zickmund, U.S. Air Force/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Jan. 1, 2010) Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Chief Alfonso Sosa, right, stands watch aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) as the clock strikes midnight, New Year’s Day. The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is on a routine deployment to the region. Operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations are focused on reassuring regional partners of the United States commitment to security, which promotes stability and global prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Electrician’s Mate 1st Class William McKibbin/Released) 100101-N-2811M-001

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

U.S. Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) scrub dirt from the flight deck Jan. 16, 2010. Eisenhower is currently deployed as part of an on-going rotation of forward-deployed forces to support maritime security operations in the U.S. Fifth and Sixth fleet areas of responsibility. (DoD photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew Bookwalter, U.S. Navy/RELEASED)

 

[NAVYBM2]

Always a fun evolution, just don’t get sucked in.

100227-N-3038W-346 SEA OF JAPAN (Feb. 27, 2010) Flight deck personnel push back an F/A-18C Hornet assigned to the Sidewinders of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 86 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is conducting operations supporting maritime strategy in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner Jr./Released)

Cool!
Yo, pop it in reverse man! Lets get this thing fired up!
HAHA

 

[MIDNJAC]

Cool!
Yo, pop it in reverse man! Lets get this thing fired up!
HAHA

Gotta say that was one of the weirder experiences at the boat. Release brakes, and go reverse towards the edge of the flight deck.

 

[NAVYBM2]

Gotta say that was one of the weirder experiences at the boat. Release brakes, and go reverse towards the edge of the flight deck.

I bet! I would hate to be one of the guys pushing.
The pilot on the other hand is just chillin in there, he is like; oh no worries boys this is why they put an ejection seat in this thing!
It is a great photo, it just shows what an insane place the flight deck really is.
I have never been on Nimitz class in ops before but I know what is like to be on the flight deck of an LHD, so I can only imagine, and I truly hope to experience that some day!

 

[Ken_gone_flying]

Here is a picture from my days as a maintainer. What? The birds were both gone for a while, what was I suppose to do?