USS Abraham Lincoln Flight Ops 1991

[VortecSilverado]

Thanks for sharing this. I enjoy watching the activity that takes place on a flight deck. While I don't understand each role that these guys are doing, I surmise that the odd choreographic is to ensure that the way he moves cannot be confused with normal movement to the pilot??

[vaporeizied8]

at :10 are the 3 who didnt like this video- LOL

[MrBretsee]

I was there...

[PeoplesWar]

Sick doesn't even begin to describe this video.

[BlueStarCadet08]

Question for any of you folks that have served - how do you live with the noise? Was down in San Diego, watched a pair of aircraft (hornets?) launch from Coronado. Absolutely deafening from a half mile away (or more.). Even set off car alarms. It must sound like the end of the world from a few feet away.

You are,as they say, the man

[EdgemanLL2]

@BlueStarCadet08 Well, you have the ear protection from the headset. And I insulated my headset with an extra layer of the insulation (stolen from an old headseat, and cut to fit) and I used foam earplugs.

Believe it or not, after all that, its not much louder than what you hear on this vid with my speakers at about 60% (slide the YT vid volume to full).

[BlueStarCadet08]

@EdgemanLL2 Thanks for the information. Must be an awesome spectacle and would love to experience it in person, but don't think I'd have the moxie to do it for hours on end, day after day like you and your shipmates

[monorailred1]

Oh the Tomcat! Used to love to park near the runway at NAS Oceana and watch them take off. So close, could wave to the pilots near the fuel depot. Miss that plane.

[cgrasser7075861624]

Thanks for that incredibly old footage. Can you upload landings?

[JH41997]

What is the average salary of these guys? I might want to be one one day

[EdgemanLL2]

@JH41997 if you have to ask, youre doing it for the wrong reasons.

[Hoschi0913]

Hey my beloved Tomcat :)

[DesOptions]

There seem to be people here who know what they're talking about, so can I ask a question? Why do the guys in green (for example, at 0.45) make that exaggerated, almost comical motion when the aircraft has engaged the cable?

[EdgemanLL2]

@DesOptions Its actually engaging the shuttle. Shuttle is what pulls it down the length of the catapult. The hand signal is to put tension on the catapult. Its deliberately exaggerated so that there is no mistaking the intent.

Due to the noise, hand signals are the means of communication. Critical signals are intentionally unnautural-looking and exagerrated so that there is no mistaking the intent.

[DesOptions]

@EdgemanLL2 Thanks for the clarification and thanks for the reply. I understand the noise must be tremendous and, as a result, unmistakable hand signals are a must. It just struck me as too much, but when lives are at stake, better to go full bore, I guess! Thanks again for the reply and a Happy New Year to you and yours.

[EdgemanLL2]

@DesOptions Right. and for example, when the Cat Officer (2:57) signals to launch the plane, he touches the deck before pointing towards the bow. This is so not any ramdom, pointing gesture is not mistaken for the launch command.

[DesOptions]

@EdgemanLL2 I was wondering about that.. thanks for the information, much appreciated.

[DesOptions]

@EdgemanLL2 So at 4.25, is that a newbie being supervised?

[EdgemanLL2]

@DesOptions Yes.

[DesOptions]

@EdgemanLL2 If I can bug you with just one more question (I really appreciate your help), what's the command structure, or seniority structure? At (0.55) the "Director" hands off to someone else. You used the phrase "Cat Officer" for him?

[EdgemanLL2]

@DesOptions The director is an enlisted guy. But the Cat/Ag (catapult/arresting gear) officers supervise the launch and recovery.

[pittsky]

This video gave me wood.

[goldenboyi1989]

SOME of the moves dont make sense-like at 6:00 why does he kick his legs into the air?what for?

[cardood7516]

@goldenboyi1989 : He only kicks on the Tomcats...tells them to light off the afterburners :) I miss the flight deck...

[EdgemanLL2]

@goldenboyi1989 Little bit of hot-dogging there. Not all directors do that. He is instructing the pilot to "kick" in the afterburners. The actual command for that is (6:00) as he is walking along, you see his (left hand, holding 1 finger up) "wave" a few times. That tells the pilot to max his N1. Usually they hold up 5 fingers, spread wide (indicated "go to zone 5") which is the cue for afterburners

[goldenboyi1989]

@EdgemanLL2 -The kick at 6:00 and later again seems like he is just straightening his pants or boasting-doesnt really seem like an instruction to me

[EdgemanLL2]

@goldenboyi1989 I was on the westpac, with this flight director, in 91.

I can comfirm it.

[T1ger524]

Outstanding Vid. I was a flight deck troubleshooter and aircraft final checker in VA-34 CVW1, CV-67 from 75 to 79. I launched a lot of planes. Long time ago. Brought it all back, Never had a job like it since- NOTHING LIKE IT IN THE WORLD !!!!! Thanks for sharing.

[GeneCst]

Very nice video, I am 34 years old now, I will be good only to mop the whole carrier or as a cookie hehehe, good stuff!

[creepysg]

Didn't see any salute before the takeoff?

[GeneCst]

@creepysg look at 1:01 when the director pass the control to the shooter, the first thing the shooter does is to salute :), be good!, look at the sign from the left head!

[PInk77W1]

very awesome video. The chinese are watching

[cardood7516]

@PInk77W1 : don't worry, we only have an 80 year headstart flying from carriers :)

[Gary190tube]

What are those things he's dropping into the catapult track at the end?

[BADBOYBICKY]

Ships radar messin with your video....

[fripouille69]

Neat video, thanks.Hey can anyone tell me what the kicking action signal given by the shooter just before he gives go means please?

[cardood7516]

@fripouille69 : Afterburners on the Tomcats...you will see those turkey feathers wide open when it passes by...

[bevy814]

love shooters

[megnjam]

Capt. James Ellis had a stellar career after this command. Shall not perish.

[Powerthirst400]

@ockroot It means "shake a leg" before takeoff. Just a performance to relax the pilots

[polaroidandvans]

NASL AIMD SeaOpDet 1996 baby! Miss the F-14's. Best bird ever on deck-

[Rijelthelovefool]

Good riddance the Tomcat looked like a piece got fat shit

[19Clutch69]

@Rijelthelovefool tell us how you truly feel

[ockroot]

love the deck crew

but what is the kicking motion means?

[TheScrumpty]

@ockroot the kick is telling the pilot to go to max afterburner for the launch.

[Mrstrongisland495]

@TheScrumpty hey you were with vfa151 at the same time as me? What was your position with the command at that time.

[Anonymousnikka]

This looks like so much fun. Only job i would do in the Navy, If it wasn't overmanned.

[MrKillPro]

that guy under the jet got balls LMFAO. LOL I am doing this job in 6 months

[Mrstrongisland495]

VFA151 uss midway 87-91 w/c 310/ 120

[TheScrumpty]

@Mrstrongisland495 hey i would like to chat with you sometime i was with VFA-151 on the midway at that same time

[lidbeck32]

Thanks for sharing this. I was a green shirt on the Kennedy from 85-89

[CEOkiller]

Thank you for sharing and thank you for your service.

[DMMCCRAE]

man we was hot as hell in those hotsuits. i really miss it. what 110 degrees on a good day.

[GT4RIDER]

i miss being out there i was a grape on the lincoln . if i could i would go back.

[horselover4eva1682]

My dad was on this carrier, I don't remember when, though. He said he was on it when that A6 caught fire and he was one of the ones to put it out. VF-213

[billtroester]

Thanks for the awesome memories from an old yellow shirt that was on the USS Constellation in '81-'82. Great job of capturing what we did as yellow shirts for me to share with my friends and family,

[stann70039]

any videos of the Lincoln going around the horn? Nofolk to California?

[crazywhitedude51]

my dad was on this carrier before i was born in 92 and im sure they shot this video while he was on it he is now retired and is wantin me to go into the navy its not gonna happen tho but for all the sailors out at sea fighting our enimies GIVE EM HELL!!!!!!!!

[honeycutt1014]

thanks for the memories, I did 3 cruises starting with this one ships company and then vf213. I guess the f14 will never die now

[polianamoca]

The Mount Pinatubo evacuation was something else. That's what I remember the most. I was there VFA-94 power plant shop. Before that and before the Lincoln, I was a Plane Captain with VA-94 on board the USS Enterprise. Thanks for the shots.

[brettrodgers]

man i was a yellow shirt n v1 during the time this video was made..i see big Marrow from CRASH and SALVAGE on deck...this Plank Owner/ShellBack wants to go back aboard and sail again..those were the days..lookn at the video i can almost smell jp5 n the air..lol......BRETT DASHING

[Honkynees]

Plankowner DC2 from Fire division 89-91. The Lincoln Legend.

[darkact]

I was part of that very crew for a time. I finished in the arresting gear. 90-93

[foampumper]

Thanks for the video. I am a plankowner 89-93. V-4 division

[jakegould]

USS Lincoln 91-94

Thanks for the vid

[geroshie]

Kill

[jrbutler1966]

I served in VA-95 during this deployment. This brings back so many memories. I was a Trouble Shooter working the cats. F U N!

[66macdaddy]

WOW! I was there I was a Blue shirt back then. V-1 Baby

[IntrudersForever]

Great footage, thanks for posting!

[JD55000]

where r they going?

[JD55000]

nice,wish i was there