Tell me thats not the sexiest plane you've ever laid your eyes on. (Even though its a 40 bird)
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Shooter's Gallery (as in Catapult, not firearms)
- Thread starter HeyJoe
- Start date
For the record:
I ALWAYS LOVED the 'dance' of the Cat & A/G boys .... it's an 'art form' ... it's Naval Aviation 'ballet' ...and it's GREAT to watch -- nuthin' better !!!
BIG thumbs 'up' for them ... :thumbup_1
I ALWAYS LOVED the 'dance' of the Cat & A/G boys .... it's an 'art form' ... it's Naval Aviation 'ballet' ...and it's GREAT to watch -- nuthin' better !!!
BIG thumbs 'up' for them ... :thumbup_1
Vfa-146
HeyJoe, thanks for posting these beoootiful photos of flight deck ops & launches. Soooo neat for me to see the photo of one of my beloved "Blue Diamonds" prepping for launch, really brought back good memories of my Combat Squadron (then VA-146) of some 40+ years ago (note the blue diamonds on the tail of my avatar).:icon_mi_1
Squadron motto: "Once a Blue Diamond, always a Blue Diamond!"
090328-N-6597H-427 PACIFIC OCEAN (March 28, 2009) A flight deck director gives hand signals to the pilot of an F/A-18C Hornet from the "Blue Diamonds" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 as it moves onto catapult one in preparation for launch from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 are on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jon Husman/Released)
HeyJoe, thanks for posting these beoootiful photos of flight deck ops & launches. Soooo neat for me to see the photo of one of my beloved "Blue Diamonds" prepping for launch, really brought back good memories of my Combat Squadron (then VA-146) of some 40+ years ago (note the blue diamonds on the tail of my avatar).:icon_mi_1
Squadron motto: "Once a Blue Diamond, always a Blue Diamond!"
020318-N-9421C-001 Aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, WA (Mar. 18, 2002) -- Sailors from the Air Department prepare to hoist one of four steam catapults from the flight deck. The catapults are undergoing routine maintenance during Vinson?s maintenance availability period. Carl Vinson and her crew are currently conducting a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) designed to install new technology and extend the operational capability of the ship. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer?s Mate 3rd Class Kerryl Cacho. (RELEASED)
020408-N-8789N-001 At sea aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Apr. 8, 2002 -- Airman Samuel Menneing prepares for a day of flight operations as he degreases the rotary retraction engine for one of four steam catapult systems onboard the John F. Kennedy. The Kennedy and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seven (CVW-7) are currently conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Natalie Nolen. (RELEASED)
020724-N-2329T-002 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Jul. 24, 2002 -- Flight deck personnel place rubber stops into catapult one, to prevent debris from entering the track during a break in flight operations. Washington and her battlegroup are on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class T.J. Talarico. (RELEASED)
020724-N-2329T-003 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Jul. 24, 2002 -- Flight deck personnel place rubber stops into one of four steam driven catapult launch systems, to prevent debris from entering the track during a break in flight operations. Washington and her battlegroup are on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class T.J. Talarico. (RELEASED)
020826-N-1280S-002 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Aug. 26, 2002 -- Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Daniel Finnan from Grand County, Colo., stands watch as the panel operator for the ship's four steam driven catapults. Washington is homeported in Norfolk, Va. and is on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Lindsay Switzer. (RELEASED)
More Bubble shots
030107-N-4953E-001 At sea aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Jan. 7, 2003 -- An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the “Ragin Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Seven (VFA-37) is guided onto the shuttle of a catapult aboard USS Harry S. Truman . In the foreground, the launch crew watches from the Integrated Catapult Control System module. The ICCS will lower down flush with the flight deck when the launch cycle is completed. Truman and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Danny Ewing Jr. (RELEASED)
020822-N-1280S-001 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Aug. 22, 2002 -- An F/A 18 “Hornet” assigned to the "Blue Blasters" of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Four (VFA-34) makes final preparations before launching from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. George Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Lindsay Switzer. (RELEASED)
021002-N-7265L-015 At sea with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Oct. 2, 2002 -- An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” assigned to the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four (VFA-14) prepares to launch from one of four steam-powered catapults on on the aircraft carrier’s flight deck. The Vinson is underway off the west coast of the U.S. conducting training operations in preparation for her upcoming regularly scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Inez Lawson. (RELEASED)
021109-N-3896H-503 At sea aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Nov. 9, 2002 -- An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” from the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) makes final preparations for a catapult launch from the ship’s flight deck. Theodore Roosevelt is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certifications. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jeremy Hall. (RELEASED)
030225-N-9964S-114 Mediterranean Sea (Feb. 25, 2003) -- An F/A-18 “Hornet” assigned to the “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Five (VFA-105) launches from one of four steam driven catapults aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher B. Stoltz. (RELEASED)
The guy actually launching the plane is in the "Bubble" and the young Petty Officer is a Flight Deck Safety Observer.
Bubble:
080511-N-7981E-195 PERSIAN GULF (May 11, 2008) Aircraft directors are reflected in the shooter's bubble as they position an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Lancers" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 131 onto a steam powered catapult aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)
Inside the Bubble:
080104-N-0455L-003 PERSIAN GULF (Jan. 4, 2008) Lt. Chris Moylan stands watch in the waist bubble to ensure safe launching of aircraft from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are underway on a scheduled deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Justin Lee Losack (Released)
-ea6bflyr
030107-N-4953E-001 At sea aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Jan. 7, 2003 -- An F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the “Ragin Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Seven (VFA-37) is guided onto the shuttle of a catapult aboard USS Harry S. Truman . In the foreground, the launch crew watches from the Integrated Catapult Control System module. The ICCS will lower down flush with the flight deck when the launch cycle is completed. Truman and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are on a regularly scheduled six-month deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Danny Ewing Jr. (RELEASED)
020822-N-1280S-001 At sea aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) Aug. 22, 2002 -- An F/A 18 “Hornet” assigned to the "Blue Blasters" of Strike Fighter Squadron Three Four (VFA-34) makes final preparations before launching from one of four steam driven catapults on the ship’s flight deck. George Washington and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW-17) are on a six-month deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Airman Lindsay Switzer. (RELEASED)
021002-N-7265L-015 At sea with USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Oct. 2, 2002 -- An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” assigned to the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four (VFA-14) prepares to launch from one of four steam-powered catapults on on the aircraft carrier’s flight deck. The Vinson is underway off the west coast of the U.S. conducting training operations in preparation for her upcoming regularly scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Inez Lawson. (RELEASED)
021109-N-3896H-503 At sea aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Nov. 9, 2002 -- An F/A-18E “Super Hornet” from the “Salty Dogs” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Two Three (VX-23) makes final preparations for a catapult launch from the ship’s flight deck. Theodore Roosevelt is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting flight deck certifications. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jeremy Hall. (RELEASED)
030225-N-9964S-114 Mediterranean Sea (Feb. 25, 2003) -- An F/A-18 “Hornet” assigned to the “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Five (VFA-105) launches from one of four steam driven catapults aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and her embarked Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3) are conducting missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 3rd Class Christopher B. Stoltz. (RELEASED)
Those guys don't get paid nearly enough to do that job!
Okay, so most of the shooters are "non-jet" guys from what I understand...P-3 bubbas doing their disassociated. tour. How long does it take to spool them up to speed for carrier ops? And (to piggyback with a retarded question) how hard is it to land a seat in one of those fast pointy-nosed planes for some OJT as a shooter?
090622-N-7780S-035 GULF OF ALASKA (June 22, 2009) Lt. Jim Imlah, from Newport, Ore., launches an F/A-18C Hornet, from the Death Rattlers of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 323, from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). John C. Stennis is participating in Northern Edge 2009, a joint exercise focusing on detecting and tracking units at sea, in the air and on land. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kyle Steckler/Released)
Shooters??
Before ya shoot, you've gotta' head 'em up ... move 'em up ... head 'em up .... move 'em on up .... RAWHIDE ???
No digital cameras ... just a lot of noise & heat & wind & an ol' SLR ... and lots of fingerprints on the slides over the years ... but the 'dance' remains the same ...
Photo by A4sForever ... at least by his camera
Before ya shoot, you've gotta' head 'em up ... move 'em up ... head 'em up .... move 'em on up .... RAWHIDE ???
No digital cameras ... just a lot of noise & heat & wind & an ol' SLR ... and lots of fingerprints on the slides over the years ... but the 'dance' remains the same ...
Photo by A4sForever ... at least by his camera
090624-N-2880M-020 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 24, 2009) Flight deck personnel give a thumbs-up as an F/A 18 from the Checkerboards of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 312 launches from the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry S. Truman is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Joshua A. Moore/Released)
I never realized Uncle Sam's Misguided Children worked the flight deck!
If USMC aircraft are operating from flightdeck like that Hornet, then that squadron will have their Plane Captains (like these below), Ordies, Troubleshooters (like the ones in the picture in prior post), etc. alongside their Navy counterparts.
090621-N-7364R-021 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 21, 2009) Marines from the Checkerboards of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 312, and a Sailor assigned to the Swordsmen of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, stand by to secure jets during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is underway in the Atlantic Ocean performing a Composite Training Unit Exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Felicito Rustique, Jr./Released)
If USMC aircraft are operating from flightdeck like that Hornet, then that squadron will have their Plane Captains (like these below), Ordies, Troubleshooters (like the ones in the picture in prior post), etc. alongside their Navy counterparts.
090621-N-7364R-021 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 21, 2009) Marines from the Checkerboards of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 312, and a Sailor assigned to the Swordsmen of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, stand by to secure jets during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is underway in the Atlantic Ocean performing a Composite Training Unit Exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Felicito Rustique, Jr./Released)
Brings back many memories of my days as a Line Rat.
If USMC aircraft are operating from flightdeck like that Hornet, then that squadron will have their Plane Captains (like these below), Ordies, Troubleshooters (like the ones in the picture in prior post), etc. alongside their Navy counterparts.
090621-N-7364R-021 ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 21, 2009) Marines from the Checkerboards of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 312, and a Sailor assigned to the Swordsmen of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, stand by to secure jets during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman. Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) is underway in the Atlantic Ocean performing a Composite Training Unit Exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Felicito Rustique, Jr./Released)
Why are they wearing black boots and not our tan ones?