I was stationed on two training carriers back in the day in Pensacola. So I love the Blue Angels, but hate the silly music. Like you, I want to hear the engines😊
35 almost 40 years ago, I was a Yellowshirt Director on the Nimitz. Specifically, in Fly 3, which is the fantail section. The planes are different, but I can still read the hand signals!!! Thanks for showing everyone that little-known world, Pail!! GO NAVY!!!
My father was a Petty officer in the hospital section of the nimitz from 82-88….. got of the ship in California just before it headed west to Korea for the 88 Olympics
My uncle was a yellow shirt back in the late 70’s-early 80’s on Nimitz. He had some great stories, especially being onboard when The Final Countdown was filmed
I was in the pre commissioning unit on the Nimitz in 72-73 mostly monitoring testing of the reactor plant systems. Got to watch flight ops while tdy on the Enterprise between MMA school and Nuc Pwr school. Watching the jets taking off and landing was really interesting.
Pail this was great, I really enjoy being right up in the front row seat of these launches and recoveries, but what tops this all off is you asking the crew questions and having them explain what all it takes for a launch. Thank you, Pail, I know you put a lot into your channel for us to enjoy! Polly
Wow!! So many moving parts to that operation. I'm retired army, but my hat is off to you navy guys and gals, for doing the job. Many thanks to you, Pail, for taking the time to show us what naval aviation is all about. Growler Jams is one of my favorite RU-vid channels, and I hope it continues. Lastly, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas, and I hope you have a fantastic new year.
Ditto to the comments from retired Army and Field Artillery. Fantastic explanation of what each movement is accomplishing and how there is redundancy built in. My salute to the Navy pilots and their roaming airports. We winter on the Alabama Gulf and enjoy Pensacola NAS with lunch at Mustin Officers Club. Navy pilots have to be the best in the world.
@@GrowlerJams Pail, I am following a lot of what is going on, but I am sure I am missing tons. Wish you/they could walk us through a shot or two as it is happening. What is the white toilet plunger looking thing on deck? The hold-back bar? When you went below deck, I could smell it. Thanks.
Brings back so many memories. I was with HS-15 on the Independence in the late 70's and going and working on aircraft on the flight deck during flight ops was exciting as well as scary as crap. The whole concept of having eyes in the back of your head, came to play here. I remember almost getting rolled down the flight desk after a yellow shirt turned and F-4 exhaust on me. Nothing will wake you up quicker than 2 J-79's blowing you down the deck.
@@leroyjames2825 Worked in the Jet Shop. I got assigned to AIMD for the 1979 Med Cruise. I ran the test cell on the Independence. I still remember one of the engines that we got from civilian maintenance eating itself. But we go the bird back onboard with one of my engines, with a radar dome full of sea water.
@@leroyjames2825 I’m sure Leroy,although I got TAD to the jet shop pretty quick. Nothing beats getting out from under the #3 wire in the bearthing are during flight ops.
Wow! A fantastic view of what happens on the deck! You know we all missed the “signature move” but really enjoyed this perspective today. Thanks so much, and many thanks to your shipmates for giving us a peek into what goes on to Fly Navy! You folks are the finest! Thanks for watching over us!
Honestly, one of the top three (IMO) most informative video's of yours I've seen. Great job to you and all your shipmates !! Cheers. 😃 and always #FlyNavy ❤
I used to be a Deck Watch Officer on a USCG oceangoing buoy tender. They always conveyed the seriousness of our work by reminding us that the only place on a ship that's more dangerous and complicated than the buoy deck, and with narrower margins for error, is the flight deck of a CVN. This video sure does reinforce that adage. Lots of ways to get maimed or killed. Gotta hand it to y'all for doing some damn tough jobs with professionalism.
The shooter’s explanation is impressive. He knows his stuff and he talks like he could be the narrator on a training video. I have a feeling shooter’s future is going well beyond the deck of an aircraft carrier.
Wow, look at how empty that desk is. Makes it look so much bigger! Fly Navy! The Navy should realize that channels like this not only educate and inform, but they garner a lot of support for the Navy. Those deck crew are awesome folks!
IIRC, this period was after it's mid-life 'crisis' refit and it had no wing(s) on-board, just using it for T-45C real life ops training, and continuing to test after refit, a 'two-fer'. When a full wing is deployed you can't see the forest for the trees! Toured the USS New York (my daughter's ship) and it's helicopter deck is impressive, albeit one tenth the size, when there is nothing on it, it gives a real meaning to 'empty'. Go Navy (USAF Retiree 🙂)
Carrier ops is without a doubt one of the most difficult things in all of aviation - teaching others to do it takes incredible skill, patience, and trust. Thanks for posting this Bravo Zulu!
Excellent! As a former USAF crew chief, the coordination of all of the different specialists on the flight deck fascinates me. Thanks for the informative video!
I’m 6’6” and was gobsmacked at how high a F15 wing was above the ground. I could walk erect under it. Compare that with a Hornet, had to contort my body into all kinds of shapes to check the main wheel wells. Also how thin the Eagles landing gear was compared to the beefy undercarriage of a F18.
Pail, what an awesome treat it is getting to watch the T-45's launch. Flight deck operations are so mesmerizing because it's such a well oiled machine. Knowing that these guys are training puts an entirely new depth of respect for the instructors. Mind blowing. I know you're usually doing the videoing and I hear your voice talking to the flight deck crew, but by any chance were you the instructor in any of these T-45's that day? Amazing video !!! Thank you!! #FlyNavy ❤ Gotta watch this again!!
Unk if anything has changed, but my son did his T-45 Carrier Quals in Spring 2019, and he said there were no instructors in the jets with the students - (it was a solo thing to pass or fail). He was in Kingsville, TX, and graduated earning his "Wings" in June 2019. He is a Marine Fighter Pilot currently. Love seeing the T45's again!
@daves536 That's wonderful. Such a hard earned and honorable achievement. I know you are proud of him. Pail, is in Kingsville, TX as well. Thank your son for his service, please.
Absolutely love these. My wife can now go to her quilt meetings and talk intelligently about carrier flight deck ops👍👍👍 I’m ex navy, and never thought I’d get to see anything like this. Thank you for your service
Worked the T45CLS at Kingsville for 18 years. In depth knowledge on the history of the Blue RRHB's. Unique contract with the T45's, enjoyed my 18 year tour. 1991 through 2008.
Was on my 2nd Tour at Kingsville, Dec 81 until May 85, Last of the AK’s, Base Supply, 2701; Retired at Beeville May 91, Settled in Kingsville, Love this Town.🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇨🇱❤️
An immense amount of responsibility within the group of guys and gals... Kudos to them all...really great vid and interesting interview/explanation at the end...
This is so f-ing cool! Even having spent my childhood on an AF base and having served in the AF myself, I never get tired of watching planes takeoff - especially from carriers!! Thanks!!
The coordination and teamwork between all of those elements is phenomenal. The safety systems for checking everything before a launch is also phenomenal. And they make it all happen so quickly in a steady stream of checklist items.
I learn more every day with you. Great video and even better was the "shooter" explanation. My father served on the USS Croatan (CVE-25) back in WW2. If he were around today, he'd love to watch your uploads.
GAWD!!!! I Love that co-ordination of those FD crews.... this was Probably the best looking VIEW of the crews moving around and getting those planes in the air!!! The Training is PARAMOUNT, as is the SAFETY Needed in getting Everybody back home..... Thanks 'Growler Jams' for the posting!! Former OS1 (SW) 84 - 05 onboard FF/FFGs
Dude that was awesome! Thank you so much for talking to that shooter & center deck operator. I have watched 100s of carrier videos, and that breakdown was really clear and easy to understand. Thanks so much for sharing all these videos and answering people's questions, you have the best videos on carrier aviation. Also Merry Christmas! I hope you and your family have a wonderful new year.
I just found your channel a couple of months ago. 45 years ago this month I reported to CVN-69 where I worked the #1 proposition plant for the next four years. I never got to see much of your world up top side. Thanks for taking us along. I'm still amazed today, that it worked so well. Man we were young!...
Plank-owner of the USS GW. Great to see her back in the water training this generation. The flight deck was always full of very purposeful , silent ballet. A world of hand-signals and body language!! Lord, I miss it! (and I was just a white-shoe staff puke; Navy Nurse)
Thanks as always. I can't wait to share this with my 12 yr. old grandson. We love your stuff! I can't buy you a beer, but if you come to my house I'll give you all you can drink! Fly Navy!!!
Each time you show us a video I think it's the very best, but then you come out with another one that's even better! Absolutely amazing what you've been sharing. It's also evident how much time and effort you put into these incredible videos.
Pail, Thanks for making me RU-vid famous! Haha. It was nice to be able to provide the explanation of what we (Shooters) are doing during the launch. I’m still rockin the “stay strapped” patch you gave me after the interview. Take care brotha! Hooyah! Fly Navy! V/R, LT Tony “Shipmate” Longoria
Cheers, Shipmate! Thanks for letting me see your world. I appreciate you guys putting in those long days on the flight deck, so we could get our students qualified. You make it look easy. Merry Christmas.
I remember getting to be out on the flight deck during cat shots and traps on the TR during a dependent's day cruise. It's mind blowing the amount of coordination it takes just for a cat shot. A very well done and informative video, shipmate.
What an amazing video. Very informative. You can't possibly watch this one time and take in everything that is going on. I really enjoyed the interview. Thanks for all that you do in putting together these videos. Ive said it before and i will say it again, your videos should be mandatory viewing for all family members of naval aviators in training to let these family members know that the safety of their loved ones is in extremely capable hands. Thanks again Pail, as always FLY NAVY.
A Marine pilot myself (and Pensacola native) who never had cause to become carrier qualified, I have (all my life) been (not surprised, but) impressed with the number of people and choreography required to get an aircraft into the air from a carrier, and back on deck later. And every launch and recovery gets the same detailed attention! Would LOVE to watch a video where someone, in reasonable detail, describes the duties of each of the dozen people (or so) involved in launch and recovery. I like the forward-looking view of the totally empty deck that tells the pilot, "Once I push the button, it's all yours, all by yourself. You're on your own." Now is that a 'rush' for a pilot, or not?
That was very cool. We watched the crew perform the launch procedures several times. And then it's explained exactly what they're doing and the reason behind the body language and hand signals.
Amazing! I loved watching the launches, Loved the interview with the launch controllers and was left wanting more with the trip into the carrier. I know most stuff on the carrier can't be shown but I find it very interesting.
Wow! My Son just finished Primary at NAS Corpus Christi a week or so ago. Was selected for E-2 Hawkeyes! Will class up sometime in January to fly the T-44 then this jet the T-45’s for his carrier qualifications. Pretty thrilling to see exactly what he will be doing so Thank You!
Been watching your stuff for a while now and find all of your work fascinating. So proud of my Son Nate for all of his hard work. What a great video to see what he will be doing very soon 🙂
This is amazing, thank you! I grew up in Pensacola and always saw them flying around with orange tips. I knew it was training. I always wanted to be a pilot but was not blessed with perfect vision, just the straight A's all through school. I did end up becoming a private pilot and do own my own small plane but this is just amazing. Thank you for this, I still wonder what my life would have been if I had perfect vision to attend the academy or whatever. Awesome!
It's simply amazing what they accomplish on that flight deck and it's all a daily routine for them. The amount of training, technology and discipline behind it all is staggering!
And to think this is just CQ when the ops are 10% of what happens on a normal fly day or night during deployment or workups with a deck full of turning and taxing aircraft.
Sure brings back some memories. I was stationed at NAS Kingsville in VT-22 from 1970- 1972. When i first got there we had F9 Cougers then switched to the TA-4J Skyhawks. I was a Jet Engine Mechanic (ADJ). I was able to go to the boat (Lexington) as part of the maintenace trouble shooters during Carrier Quals. Thanks for posting a very detailed and in depth video of what it takes to launch a jet from the deck of a carrier.
Reminds me of when I spent a weekend on board HMS Illustrious when Harrier pilots were qualifying for carrier ops. Sitting next to one at breakfast in the Officers mess I asked how she was feeling. She gagged and ran out to throw up! Massive respect to all concerned, and great video as ever.
That as a fantastic explanation of the whole launch sequence. Having that choreographed "dance" explained to launch an aircraft made it all so much clearer.
I worked with a Ret. CPO Aircraft Mech at the FAA where he told me about his life aboard carriers. I'm a USAF Ret CMST, who had the great fortune of working within a lot of USAF flying units, an FAA Certified Private Pilot and Aviation Maintenace Technician. Love your videos...
Amazing demonstration of the incredible training and professionalism of every single specialist. I wouldn't want to be doing any of these jobs in the freezing cold at night. Thanks for sharing Pail!
Have just watched this on TV via RU-vid, Absolutely brilliant. Gives a whole different perspective. Your videos just get better and better. Many thanks Pail. Excellent !
I never was able to Fly Navy (US Army '71-'74) and so I sure do appreciate your amazing videos showing how it's done. Greatest respect to the men and women for what they do.
Outstanding! Sincere thanks for taking the time to film and share. As someone who works with hand signals, this was fascinating to watch: it's a beautiful thing to have a slick team, operating in complete silence. Fly navy!
Thanks for the video Pail. I am a CVN73 Plankowner, helping build her at Newport News Shipbuilding. I was shift test engineer for the #1 reactor plant and took her critical for the first time. I also sailed with her on sea trials where we experienced a dead short in the voltage regulator upstream of the output breaker on an 8 MW ship service turbine generator. That is an exciting event that starts with arcing and sparking, a huge fireball, and ends when all the metal in the copper cables burns away. The instantaneous load on the turbine bent the rotor and we spent months cutting through the side of the ship and the armor belt to replace it. Those ships are sports cars!
Make it your goal. Visualize what you need to do to accomplish the tasks necessary to reach your goal and most importantly do the work required to obtain that goal. When I was stationed at NAS Whiting Field, where primary flight training occurs, there’s a sign above the line shack that says “Through the doors pass the world best aviators” No truer words were ever spoken.
@robertplant5062 Thank you for your amazing story, I don't live in the US but someday I hope to become a US citizen so I could become a naval aviator like I said, I won't ever give up on my dreams no matter how hard it is, thank you yet again.
I’m a retired Army Blackhawk SP/IE as well, and I appreciate the choreography on deck. I landed on the Iwo Jima, America, and several USCG ships, and it wasn’t a challenge because of the awesome crews on deck. Stay safe
That was an amazing video of a perspective that is not shown much, if at all. That deck is huge and the amount of activity going on simultaneously is impressive. Those T-45s come in FAST from this angle!
I just found your channel recently, thanks so much for posting these amazing vids. I shared them with my father who is a retired Naval Aviator who served actively from 1971-81 with another 17 years in the reserves. He was an instructor at NAS Pensacola from 1973-76, did 4 years flying tankers out of RAF Mildenhall in England, then went back to NAS Pensacola for his final year, and spent most of his time in the reserves as the XO and later CO of a reserve detachment based at NAS Glenview and later Great Lakes NS (attached to the USS Eisenhower for his 2weeks/year heh). He's 74 now and unable to fly anymore at all unfortunately, so I send him aviation videos whenever I can and he loves your stuff! He loves especially how much bigger the Nimitz-class ships are than the USS Lexington was, and how much nicer the E/A-18s and T-45s are than the old T-2s and prop-driven T-28s he flew primarily was when he was an instructor in the 70s. He also says you have the "right attitude" in making your maneuvers/procedures and then you top it off with "so that we look good". He certainly thinks you make the Navy look good, so keep it up and know you're helping this Navy-brat keep his old man happy and sane. Thanks again, Pail!
So beautiful. Like watching a ballet with all the choreographed movements. So well done. The camera angle makes one realize how big the deck really is.
Wow, I just cannot get over the size of that flight deck. I'm an old dungaree sailor from a few years ago, I was on the Oriskany during Vietnam and the Coral Sea in the Med both small compared to this. Our Navy has come a long way. Thanks Jams
As you rightly say Awesome, the synchronisation of you guys is phenomenal considering just what's going on around you at anytime. Really miss my time in the RN and my youth. Thanks Pail, brilliant.👍
All those nice crisp, clean jerseys and float coats are a little bit suspicious! I was an ABH, Crash and Salvage V-1 div, back in the early 90's and CQ's were some of the longest days for us. Reveille was around 0630 and we weren't showered and back in our racks until after midnight the next morning. Great videos! I love seeing things from different view points.
Gee Dub !!! Hoorah ❤❤. First Ship. I arrived straight from school via a Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD), weird sitting facing aft. But I enjoyed every minute of my tour. 🎉🎉🎉
Dear Pail, thank you so much and big thanks to the crewmates. That was awesome to see and i very much enjoyed that interview. Damned interesting and so much responsibility to make „Fly Navy“ work. Big respect to the crewmembers on the deck and thank you for this video once again. 🖖🏻
Awesome is a word that gets overused but this video did indeed fill me with awe. Thank you for sharing what you do, and to your shipmates for sharing their jobs with us. I’ll probably never stand on the flight deck, much as I would like to, so my heartfelt thanks to you for showing us a little of what it’s like.
