Shooter's Gallery (as in Catapult, not firearms)

[Brett327]

 

[BigIron]

Funny, I remember doing them on that cruise. Perfect for the Prowler and the spare.

The day covey or the verboten night covey? Remember....we weren't that good.

 

[robav8r]

Best I could do was a double hook at the bow. Coveys were verboten on the big stick with the regime at the time. Oh yes....the night covey: the bolter and simultaneous cat one launch.

Tower: "bow shooter, pick up the goddamn phone...."

We did coveys all the time under "Vince & Sammy." 1 & 3 together followed by 2, then 4. A lot of fun . . . especially when shooting topside

 

[BigIron]

We tried to carry on the tradition, but after a few months into cruise, capt queeg started acting up and beat the boss into submission. He folded... Then we did. Capt queeg was a bear with no top cover to buffer us.

 

[Brett327]

The day covey or the verboten night covey? Remember....we weren't that good.

Day. Didn't realize Wheels put you guys under such restrictions. I appologize for the product of my community.

 

[robav8r]

We tried to carry on the tradition, but after a few months into cruise, capt queeg started acting up and beat the boss into submission. He folded... Then we did. Capt queeg was a bear with no top cover to buffer us.

I hadn't heard that - guess it must of sucked for the shooter shack. Covey launches were always the most efficient way of getting the package off the deck in CASE I, but I guess if you have a risk averse Captain . . .

 

[BigIron]

....- guess it must of sucked for the shooter shack. . . .

I can't quite convey how bad it got. But we survived and made the best out of it.

Because shooters are big media whores........here's my last cat shot ever. A COD with multiple suspends........good times. It flew away, climbed and did what it was supposed to do. I took my boots off and shot them into the drink after this shot.

 

[scoober78]

Quick Shooter question...where did the boot shot tradition come from?

 

[BigIron]

Quick question ~ Do all Navy fixed wing, carrier types have to do a shooter tour? Do you act as LSO as a duty when you are in a fleet squadron on the boat? How are these gigs (coming from a helo guy that knows nothing).
What I do know is that during CQ drills, other squadrons would be conducting battle-rack ops. In the HS world, we did short-fused training sessions. Good way to keep up the moral.

Shooter is one of many type of disassociated tour (the original IA if you may) for a 2nd sea tour. The shooter's main job is a divo in air department - tower, V2, V3, V4. The shooter's watch station is launching/recovering jets and playing HALO (or whatever the latest multi-player game is now) down below. Most of my compadres were Tacamo and P3 dudes. I was one of only 3 helo pilots in ships company. LSO is a completely different gig and I'll let those guys answer that question. They are also media whores.

 

[BigIron]

Quick Shooter question...where did the boot shot tradition come from?

Not sure where it came from, but it's a nice feeling to be done with the job and walk in your socks down below.

 

[BigIron]

How's this for big shooter pics. Anyone recognize the location???

 

[robav8r]

Quick Shooter question...where did the boot shot tradition come from?

Part of the tradition probably comes from the fact that your boots are pretty damn nasty after your tour. Definitely not a piece of gear you want to throw back in the seabag and carry home.

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

120905-N-PL185-276 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 5, 2012) An aircraft launch and recovery officer, commonly referred to as a "shooter," signals for the launch of a C-2A Greyhound assigned to the Rawhides of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). A C-2A Greyhound's primary mission is the transport of cargo, mail and passengers between carriers and shore bases. Harry S. Truman is underway conducting carrier qualifications. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lorenzo J. Burleson/Released)

 

[Alpha_Echo_606]

121031-N-RC246-044 PACIFIC OCEAN (Oct. 31, 2012) Lt. Jeffrey Herzog, a shooter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), prepares to direct an F/A-18 Hornet to launch while dressed in costume during on Halloween day. Nimitz is underway participating the ship's composite training unit exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan J. Mayes/Released)

 

[BigIron]

^^^^SAFETY VIOLATOR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!