This is a clip from my television special on the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy. Here is the link -    • Watch What Its Like As Navy Sailors G...  .

Back in the 1980s, the US Navy gave me permission to go on board the carrier John F. Kennedy and experience a cruise (as they call it) from start to finish, including what it was like for sailors to leave home for six months and go to sea. American aircraft carriers extend American power and influence around the world without stepping on any other nation's sovereign territory. They are a critical part of America's defense strategy.

In order to make this documentary, my team and I had to get permission from the Navy to film what we witnessed. They gave me that permission and the film presents scenes of real life before the sailors left home and life on board the carrier as she sailed toward Lebanon.

Watching and filming F-14 fighter jets land and take off from the carrier deck was thrilling. Noisy for sure. Dangerous but very exciting and performed with great skill as demonstrated by the Navy fighter pilots of course, but also by the crews who took care of them.

The flight deck of an aircraft carrier during operations is a highly coordinated, intensely disciplined environment that indeed resembles a complex ballet, with every participant playing a critical role in the safety and success of flight operations. This orchestrated chaos is managed through strict adherence to procedures, non-verbal communication, and a deep trust among the crew members.

The flight deck is one of the most dangerous working environments due to the presence of moving aircraft, propellers, jet engines, and hazardous conditions such as the risk of falls, being struck by equipment, or even being blown overboard by jet blast.

The personnel on the flight deck wear color-coded jerseys to indicate their specific roles:
Yellow shirts are aircraft handling officers, catapult and arresting gear officers, and plane directors.
Blue shirts are plane handlers, aircraft elevator operators, and tractor drivers.
Green shirts work in arresting gear, catapults, and as helicopter landing signal officers.
Red shirts handle ordnance, crash and salvage operations.
Purple shirts, known as "grapes," handle aviation fuel.
White shirts are safety observers, medical personnel, and air wing quality control personnel.
Brown shirts are plane captains, responsible for the care of the aircraft itself.

Aircraft are launched from the carrier using steam or electromagnetic catapults. The process requires precise timing and coordination between the catapult crew, the pilot, and the deck crew to ensure the aircraft reaches sufficient speed for takeoff.

When aircraft return to the carrier, they perform an arrested landing, catching one of several arresting wires stretched across the deck with a tailhook. This demanding maneuver requires exact communication between the pilot and the landing signal officer (LSO) to ensure a safe recovery.

The flight deck is a constantly changing puzzle, with aircraft being moved to and from the catapults, landing area, and parking spots. This is managed by a team of directors and handlers who use hand signals to communicate over the roar of engines.

Once landed and moved to a safe area, aircraft may be quickly refueled and rearmed if necessary, ready for their next mission. This process is carried out with speed and precision to maintain operational tempo.

Constant maintenance is performed on deck to ensure aircraft are ready for their next sortie. This includes pre-flight checks, post-flight inspections, and any necessary repairs.

Despite the apparent chaos, every action on the flight deck is highly choreographed to maintain safety and efficiency. Crew members train extensively to perform their roles with precision. Communication is primarily non-verbal, using hand signals, flags, and lights due to the noisy environment. Personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory, including helmets, goggles, and ear protection.

The ballet of the flight deck is a testament to the skill, discipline, and coordination of the crew members who operate in one of the most unforgiving and demanding environments in the military. The successful management of flight deck operations is crucial for the projection of naval air power and the effectiveness of the carrier as a centerpiece of naval strategy.

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