Here’s a bit of it.
There are about four thousand, nine hundred and ninety-two people just out of the frame.
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Very cool pic.
I hung around at the end on the last day of the airshow recently and watched the guys on the ground send off many of the planes. I saw two Hornets and their handlers [plane captains?] go through the entire routine before rocketing down the runway after waving at those of us standing along the fence.
Of course, the pace was much more laid back (and modestly-staffed) than above, but the choreography and thoroughness of the process was a joy to watch.
It was about all I could do to NOT make a run for it past the Marine who was guarding the rather flimsy “fence.”
But I controlled myself and instead talked of planes; turns out, he’s a mechanic on C-130s when it isn’t Airshow Weekend. He said, “the more time I spend with them [planes], the more I like them.” I heartily seconded that sentiment.
Yeah! Great pic. What you don’t get from the picture is the sound of freedom.
As a result of my flight deck experience I used to volunteer work the flight line at our local air show. I’d always wind up kicking the tires over at the war birds.The guys in this picture probably don’t realize the great memories they are making for themselves.
BEAT ARMY!
It is the birds I miss the most, I think. Troubleshooting and repairing in the quiet of the night, preflights as the sky begins to lighten. FOD walks during morning transition with all hands strung out across the concrete. The sound of the engines spooling up and then the rumble echoing out as the aircraft comes to life.
That is a great photograph, it makes me remember that somewhere, while I sit typing this, other young men are doing those very same things on a new generation of warbirds.
Great stuff !!!
Although it will be interesting to see if the supposed super genius types can come up with a way run a carrier with less people…..
http://www.navytimes.com/news/2007/10/navy_optimalmanning_071019w/
You think maybe they’re pushing that one? Less than 1000??
Then again, besides the UAVS, didn’t Lex post something awhile back about rats (or something like that) flying planes? Perhaps if they just remove the aircrew from the ship…
ELP – I can see cutting down the crew some, but I worry when I see numbers lower for operations, not taking into account maintenance. Like the AAG ( http://www.lakehurst.navy.mil/nlweb/AAG/ ). Sure, you could cut a few jobs from tthe arresting gear crew – that crewman doesn’t need to be sitting up in primary – or in front of the LSO’s. But – the thing is, that’s just what those guys do when they are manned up. Between events, they are busy doing maintenance and it takes all the people you have and then some.
I do think there are opportunities for more automation in less mission critical roles – pn’s, ms’s, stuff like that.
And without V-2 – that’s not an aircraft carrier, it’s a giant barge.
Reminds me of the smell of steam and oil from the cats and the sound of the first turbine spinning up for the first launch of the morning. It always felt like the boat was waking up from a light slumber and now it was time to hunt.
Yes, sir! The smell of oil, the hissing steam, the whining turbines, the din of noise coming through hearing protection, the need for utmost safety as the lives of men [and women] depend on every task being carriedout promptly and safely.
Such is the life of a snipe, 24 x 7 but never seen in a photo, or in a rrecruiting ad. The team members down in the holes are usually a subject of benign neglect, or worse, from those enjoying the adrenilin rush in the fresh air topside.
Next time you get the chance, buy a beer for one of CHENG’s guys standing port and starboard watches down in the holes. You can spot them by their pasty complexion, and the faint odor of diesel, and the dirt under their fingernails.
1200 PSI steam forever!
But, it indeed does take teamwork to put the ordnance on target, and we are all on the same team! GO TEAM!
John,
Well said.
But I refuse to include the clown who runs the laundry. He “Lost” my towel and they couldn’t “find it” after “Searching” The next week I found one of the compartment cleaners using my towel to clean the Officer’s head down the hall from my office. Seems 1 inch high block lettering is not enough.
Hooray for the snipes and their steam, but to hell with the laundry boss.
Nose (the whiner)
JR Peck-
Not to turn this into a NIMBY discussion, but that gear guy on the LSO platform is indespensible. Our guy saved LIVES more than once by catching a problem that everyone else missed. Kid screamed FOUL DECK (despite green lights everywhere) we waved off the jet. AGO threw up his hands in disgust and the boss reamed me six ways from Sunday. Then they realized that 3 port anchor dampner was out of battery. Oops. Boss actually apologized to me. I passed it on to our gear guy. I’ll take him and we can lose the AGO for all I care!
N
Thumbs up as a final checker is the highest high I’ve known. Imagine “feeling” the sound in your bones at an Aerosmith or Deep Purple concert. Now jack that up ^3 to where you can’t hear even yourself thinking inside your cranial. Yes, good memories indeed.
One of my idle mental games is ranking in order the highest calling a man can aspire to, just in case those reincarnation folks are correct and I get another shot. Knowing nothing about carrier flight operations, it is my speculation that aviation bos’uns mates have a sure spot very high on my list. As for the snipes, John S – it’s a genetic disease. Those who have it don’t have much choice.
Gee Nose..I hope you had more than one towel on cruise…
I always knew LSOs were “ripe”, but Phew!
b2
Nose – word was that v-2 officers weren’t the cream of the crop. As a lowly enlisted type, I never knew for sure, but the quality of my div. officers seemed to speak in favor of the theory. So I’d take that trade any day myself.
Of course – I was the guy in the engine room kicking the daylights out of that anchor damper cable so that it would go into battery.
LOL JR,
Not meant as a slight of the Shooters – they are good peeps. But if I were still in the game and you gave me the choice of losing my left arm or that gear guy, I’d have to think about it for a while.
SHORT
GROOVE
RAMP!!!
Nose
oops…I meant
GROOVE
SHORT
RAMP
(WHAM)
Nose
Ahhh, I do miss the smell of raw kerosene, sea air and overly ripe ABs!
I always think the best part is when the shooter gives his thumbs up and the plane leaves. Then about an hour and fifteen minutes later same said plane lands. Aircrew get out and the only complaint they have is the relief tube is too short and the seat cushions are more comfortable. That gives me the warm and fuzzy inside. Even better is how most of those kids only 3 yrs ago probably weren’t trusted with thier parents car now they are trusted to make life and death decisions about a human beings life and a multi-million dollar airplane. That is some awesome responsibility.
I always think the best part is when the shooter gives his thumbs up and the plane leaves. Then about an hour and fifteen minutes later same said plane lands. Aircrew get out and the only complaint they have is the relief tube is too short and the seat cushions are more comfortable. That gives me the warm and fuzzy inside. Even better is how most of those kids only 3 yrs ago probably weren’t trusted with thier parents car now they are trusted to make life and death decisions about a human beings life and a multi-million dollar airplane. That is some awesome responsibility.
Thanks for that Nose – brings back good days of shouting out for all those passing by. I’d take it up a notch if somebody was using one of the tread mills just outside my engine room.
You could always tell the n00bs. The gear guy would yell “GROOVE” and they would say “What did he say?”
Then they would yell “SHORT” and they would say “What are they talking about.”
Then they would yell “RAMP” and as the rest of us were putting fingers in ears, they would say “Hey, is something getting ready to…” WHAM!!
Always good for a laugh, other people’s aural pain!
Nose