Reasons Why Navy Sailors Kneel Right Next to A Plane Taking Off on An Aircraft Carrier

Before a plane takes off on an aircraft carrier, a sailor kneels right next to the plane. When you step foot on the flight deck of a Navy aircraft carrier, you will observe that the crew members are dressed in various outfits and make various hand signals and gestures. One of these gestures is kneeling next to an aircraft about to take off. Not only are aircraft carriers spectacular in terms of their size, but they also function like well-oiled machinery. Aircraft Carrier Take Off.
The flight deck of an aircraft carrier is one of the most hazardous workplaces in the world. Sailors are exposed to a continually high noise level and as many as sixty planes and two hundred people are crammed into a little more than four acres of reinforced steel armor plate.
On the flight deck, workers move in many directions, which may look chaotic to an observer unfamiliar with the procedure. However, the flight deck of a United States Navy carrier is one of the most well-organized man-made vehicles on earth. It functions similarly to an orchestra, with each section responsible for executing a specific movement within the larger symphony of carrier operations. Because of all the noise generated by the aircraft carrier, the only way for the sailors to communicate with one another and carry out their respective duties is by using various gestures and signs. These sailors utilize a variety of gestures and signals to communicate with one another. One of the many gestures and signs that sailors on aircraft carriers use to execute their operations is kneeling.
It is common to observe sailors kneeling near an aircraft getting ready to take off from the ground. If the person kneeling near an aircraft is wearing a yellow shirt, then the person is the Shooter, who is giving the cat crew the signal to shoot the cat.
#aircraftcarrier #sailors #usnavy

[rburrows]

I think the guys that work the flight decks are incredible. Think about it. They deal with the weather. Doing this at night. Rain. Cold. A rolling ship. And the danger of the aircraft themselves. You gotta be on your A game. My salute to everyone who’s ever worked these decks. Bravo guys👏👏🇺🇸🇺🇸👍

[michaelgeary]

Was CAT ONE petty officer on USS KITTY HAWK 71-72 Gulf of Tonkin Vietnam. It was balls to the walls and every man on the flight deck was the Best. All 4 cats launching was amazing. In one 23 day line period, we launched 2126 planes. Incredible ship and crew. Takes all hands to make it happen. From engine room, mess crew, you name it, gotta work together. God bless all my fellow vets and those serving now. ABE2 MIKE GEARY .

[bon]

The pilots landing on the deck of the carrier are so brave. They must have nerves of steel. There seems no extra room for error. Thank you all servicemen and women for protecting the American people. God bless.❤❤

[gilly]

Yellow shirts are also aircraft handlers for parking. Green shirts are also aircraft maintenance. I worked in AIMD (shipboard aircraft maintenance). Brown are plane captains (taking basic care of the aircraft/assisting the pilots), blue are chock/chainers (tie down aircraft). I was stationed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) for two years.

[thunderheart]

God Bless the U.S Navy sailors tirelessly working for America. Amen !

[rogerramjet]

Vietnam vet. Been there done that !!! Super exciting, thrilling, dangerous. All at the same time! Something I will never forget or regret. God bless America.

[LisaKayser-zt]

I have not been in the military but, the men and women who are on aircraft carriers are the best of the best! Thank you to all military personnel, past, present and future!!!❤❤❤

[WiredSpace]

Great video. I was a green shirt on the Ike from 1991-94. Worked the waist catapults (3 & 4) on deployment in the Middle East during Desert Storm/Shield. This video brings back a ton of memories.

No doubt flight ops are intense. Now imagine everything you just watched but it’s 0300, pitch black, everyone’s been up for 36 straight hours and flight ops are being conducted using traffic wands and sound powered phones… lol

Good times!

[tinaveneable]

My son was part of the crew on the P3 Orion, very proud of mom here!! Go Navy!!❤️🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[ecclestonsangel]

This brings back good memories of my dad, whom I just lost in March. He was an AMHC-1 on the Saratoga, and did two tours in Vietnam. He was part of the Squadron VA-75, The Sunday Punchers. This makes me cry, too, because I miss my father so much, and I miss the stories he used to tell of life onboard the ship. I love you, Dad, and I will never forget you. You were the best dad a daughter could ever ask for.

[sandym]

My Dad was on the Ranger and my Uncle on the Yorktown - I will always be sad that my Uncle didn't come back, didn't have a chance to marry, have kids, have a life . But he was a Hero just like all that serve really ..

[theresareineke]

Dwight D. Eisenhower CVN-69, 1999 - 2001. I was a black shoe, worked below decks in the stockrooms. My favorite spot on the carrier was the Crow’s Nest, watching the organized chaos below on the flight deck. CVN-69, one of my favorite Commands.

[willardward]

I spent 10 years in the Navy. Life on the carriers is no cakewalk. Watching this clip brought back alot of memories.

[nancychandler]

My son served on the USS Constellation. Was fortunate enough to board her for a “family day” cruise which was the most amazing trip of my life! I prayed everyday they stayed safe. Thank you to all our military personnel serving and retired! God Bless America and God help us!

[ruthretzke]

Being the wife of a United States Submariner, I surely do well and truly appreciate all of what these sailors and pilots perform 24/7, 365 days a year, in order to keep us all safe from harm. Thank you to the United States Navy!

[ndtimesttime]

I was an airframe troubleshooter(white shirt) in an F/A-18C. Two troubleshooters walk down each side of a jet being taxied into position on the cat. We are literally doing a final check mostly looking for leaks(fuel/oil/hyd) panel and fastener security, and anything else that may look off or out of place. When the jet is in tension on the catapult we have moved to just outside of wing pylon and kneel down. Kneeling allows you to see the other troubleshooter, maintain your balance better and you stay below the jet blast. Yeah if shit goes south it’s that much easier to grab a pad eye. Our “final” check if you will was confirming all flight control surface moved and there was no visible hydraulic leaks. The T/S on the inside will complete that and watch for confirmation from outside T/S that they are good prior to giving the “thumbs up” indicating to the shooter”yellow shirt” that jet is good and send it. At that point that jet is getting launched off the catapult. On video or picture it may look like we are dangerously close to the launching jet and compared to others on deck we are. Positioning is close enough to get good view of all control surfaces but well outside of their range on movement. Kneeling keeps you below the jet blast so if you are lower then the bottom of the VEN of the jet engines there little change from the wind coming over the deck. On the catapult I would kneel in a position that as I gave the “thumbs up” signal with one hand I could hold onto a pad eye with the other since as the jet launches you can be in stable position, hold on, and turn away from the residual jet blast you will briefly catch. Looking back being on the catapult for F/A-18 was relatively mundane since they were physically smaller than most others and rarely were in afterburner to take off. I always had the utmost respect to fellow troubleshooter from F-14, A-6, E-2 squadrons who were all in more precarious positions when there respective aircraft were in tension. Since it’s no longer possible to witness an F-14 on the catapult definitely check out the many videos available. They were huge especially with wings fully swept out and the shear power of the jet in full afterburner was something you could actually feel in your chest. All the respect, admiration and gratitude for all the young men and women serving in all branches today.

[jamesgiglio]

I was in the Army for 7 years but I got to admit watching the ballet on the deck of a carrier is fascinating and exciting. My hat's off to these guys for doing what they do.

[conniehawkins]

My dad served on several carriers, he was the last enlisted bombardier navigator. After a 30 yr total service he retired. Thank you for describing his job so clearly! Go Navy!

[susanpugh]

Wow, this was an amazing video! I'm just a civilian who happens to love jets, and this video gave me so much info on the carrier operations. My dad was an AF Lt Col in WWII and I've never been more proud to be his daughter. Thanks to all our service men and women who do so many amazing things to keep us safe at home.

[zackdoc]

As a former US nuclear fast attack submariner in Vietnam, we were always dissing the "Airdales" (Navy slang for Naval Air personnel), but I have renewed respect for them watching this video. A big "THANKS for your service" to all my fellow veterans!