Bush Shooters

I'm almost too worried to say...but, I was a USMC Air Traffic Controller (went to NAS Pensacola) and the one and ONLY time I ever thought I may have picked the wrong branch, was the first (and EVERY) time I saw USN Shooters in action! OOH-RAH!

Was an AE on Oriskany and Hancock; (1965-1969) had my turn 'working the Roof' in a A4 squadron. 50 years later, I STILL get a charge watching these videos. No other gig like it in the world!

Rob Zombie and carrier flight operations. Doesn’t get any better than that!

22 yrs in Army, but if I could , a shot on the flight deck it would be, teamwork primo, outstanding job to all that walked the walk!

worked as an ame troubleshooter in va 81 on the flight deck of the uss forrestal in the 70's. BEST damned job I ever had.

Named after a Former Pilot Who almost got eaten by cannibals For those of you who don't know history

Ehh... Biggest regret in my life. I wanted to be a jet fighter pilot, but never chased my dream. If I really knew how good it is, I would do everything, to be one of them. Salute to the elite of humanity.

Every single one is a Bad Ass. God Bless America.

I can watch this stuff for HOURS ! Thanks for sharing

The guys in the green shirts are maintenance, mechs, airframe, electronics, etc. The guys in white are final checkers. I was a mech in VF14 on board the Kennedy and wore a green shirt. After you gain some proficiency at your job you get to work the 'roof' as a final checker. If your shop Chief didn't think you were comfortable on the flight deck you wouldn't be forced to go, some folks just never got comfortable on the flight deck during flight ops particularly night ops. The three times I nearly commited fatal mistakes all happed at night, it could be disorienting at times. The biggest mistake I almost committed could have killed the flight crew. Almost always if the airplane made it to the catapult it would lanch, except once. I was on the port side of one of our Tomcats it was in full power, tension on the catapult the shooter was looking at me for the thumbs up. I had gotten so used to seeing the thumbs up from final checker on the starboard side that as soon as he moved I would look at the shooter and give the thumbs up. As the starboard final checker looked at me I started to give the thumbs. This time he closed his hands and frantically crossed his arms which I didn't expect that was the abort sginal. I stopped half way from giving the shooter the 'go' looked back at the starboard checker and gave him the abort sign to confim it, Again he frantically gave the abort sign, I looked at the shooter and gave him the abort sing. That automatically set in motion a series of precise events to power down the jet, release tension on the cat and get the jet out of the way and parked. What the other checker saw that I didn't was hydraulic fluid pouring down the side of the fuselage. The hydraulic actuator that moves the starbord stabilizer had developed a massive leak, he saw it I didnt. He did the right thing, I almost gave the ' ok to launch '. Lesson learned, no one hurt. That's the reason all the hand sginals seem exaggerated. I think we got an extra ten bucks a month, the flight deck was considered hazardous duty. That's the way the flight deck work. at least during the 1970s.

Im English these carriers amaze me, god bless the crews, including the toilet cleaners, thanks for making the world a bit safer.

We once surfaced next to a carrier & watched flight ops, IMPRESSIVE!!!

I could watch this all day!

You'd think the Shooters would wreck their knees after a while.

Friggin STUDS!!! I'd cream my shorts every time. I don't see how that could ever get old

Dan James, please read miniflyboy's comments below. Also, the guys behind the aircraft wings are squadron final checkers. They make sure the flight control surfaces move, no oil, hydraulic fluid leaks, all panels are closed and secured, etc.  The Catapult Officer (Shooters), is the person responsible for the safe launch of aircraft. He/She is the person on the flight deck who points to all the others, making sure they all give a "thumbs up", ready for launch, and that the pilot salutes him, stating he is ready for launch. When there is bad weather, the Catapult Officer goes into the "bubble", and directs the launch from there. When he is in the "bubble", a Petty Officer will take his place on the flight deck. When not needed, the bubble is lowered and becomes another flat spot on the flight deck. It takes a lot of people to launch and recover aircraft from a aircraft carrier.

I was a TSPO on the America, Forrestal & Saratoga from 80 to 84 humpin bridal pendants and holdback rigs on Phantoms for 18-20 hours a day. It aint the same now.

They do it day or night ,24/7 , 365 , when ever needed. Thank you men!!! Wish I could buy you a cold one!

There is a lot of trust on that deck!

Shooters have the best job on the deck !