The Great, Constantly Changing Picture Gallery

[HeyJoe]

For our SWO aspirants and Alumni

I've always liked the lines of the Arleigh Burke class DDGs...looks fast even sitting still

081222-N-6092C-125 PERSIAN GULF (Dec. 22, 2008) The guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG 61) transits through the Persian Gulf. Ramage is deployed as part of the Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) supporting maritime security operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. MSO help develop security in the maritime environment. From security arises stability that results in global economic prosperity. (U.S. Navy photo by Chief Fire Controlman Michael Clemente/Released)

 

[HeyJoe]

For MB + Bunk

090107-N-6604E-003 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 7, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Christopher Madsen signals for the launch of a C-2A Greyhound assigned to Fleet Logistics Support Squardron (VRC) 40 aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) during the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8 composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX is a training exercise to test capabilities and ensure readiness prior to deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Bradley Evans/Released

 

[HeyJoe]

USS Bush ready for her close-up

Less than 24 hours to go until Commissioning of USS Bush on Saturday.

090107-N-4543K-028 NORFOLK, Va. (Jan. 7, 2009) Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier Pre-commissioning Unit George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) walk beside the ship during a rehearsal for the ship's commissioning ceremony. The ship is scheduled to be commissioned Saturday at Naval Station Norfolk. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Joel S. Kolodziejczak/Released)

090107-N-5658B-011 NORFOLK, Va. (Jan. 7, 2009) Boatswain's Mate Seaman Apprentice Charles Norris polishes a bell aboard the ceremonial quarterdeck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). George H.W. Bush will be commissioned Jan 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan A. Bailey/Released)

090105-N-5658B-017 NORFOLK, Va. (Jan. 5, 2009) Quartermaster Seaman Vanessa Espinal, assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) straightens the American flag from behind in the ship's hangar bay. George H.W. Bush will be commissioned Jan 10. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan A. Bailey/Released)

090108-N-5735P-216 NORFOLK (Jan. 8, 2009) Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handler) 1st Class Christopher Waiters aboard the aircraft carrier Pre-Commissioning Unit George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) shows the former President George H.W. Bush a diagram of the ship and aircraft. America's newest aircraft carrier, George H.W Bush (CVN 77), will be commissioned Saturday. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Demetrius Patton/Released)

 

[A4sForever]

..... Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class .... signals for the launch of a C-2A Greyhound....

Interrogative: when did this start?? By "start", I mean PO's launching aircraft ???

Unheard of in times past. No one, save a pair of khaki pants used to launch 'em ... mebbe once in a great, great, great, great, great, great while ... mebbe a Chief would launch a COD.

But basically .... never. Only O-type khaki's ... :sleep_125

 

[H60Gunner]

Interrogative: when did this start?? By "start", I mean PO's launching aircraft ???

Unheard of in times past. No one, save a pair of khaki pants used to launch 'em ... mebbe once in a great, great, great, great, great, great while ... mebbe a Chief would launch a COD.

But basically .... never. Only O-type khaki's ... :sleep_125

I think he's just a spotter. Not a Shooter.

 

[Mumbles]

Interrogative: when did this start?? By "start", I mean PO's launching aircraft ???

Unheard of in times past. No one, save a pair of khaki pants used to launch 'em ... mebbe once in a great, great, great, great, great, great while ... mebbe a Chief would launch a COD.

But basically .... never. Only O-type khaki's ... :sleep_125

No way he's a "Shooter"...just a final ckecker.

 

[A4sForever]

I think he's just a spotter. Not a Shooter.

No way he's a "Shooter"...just a final ckecker.

Oh ... 'Zat so ??? 'ZAT SO ??? 'ZAT SO ???




Thanks ... I think you're both right ... what a relief .... and thanks for keeping an ol' man straight ... now I can go back to my nap. :sleep_125

 

[HeyJoe]

Calm before the Storm

VF-32 Gypsies returning to Nellis AFB in early August 1990 as Kuwait is being invaded. A week later we were en route to the Red Sea on a no-notice emergency deployment aboard USS John F Kennedy

HJ Photo

 

[HeyJoe]

No airshow paintjobs for forseeable future

During transit to Red Sea, Gypsy 201 was covered with water-based paint and is shown here scant weeks after flying in Nevada Desert flying over Saudi Arabia in her new paint scheme (note: yellow AC on dark blue vertical stab was not covered and is still visible)

HJ Photo

 

[ea6bflyr]

Oh ... 'Zat so ??? 'ZAT SO ??? 'ZAT SO ???




Thanks ... I think you're both right ... what a relief .... and thanks for keeping an ol' man straight ... now I can go back to my nap. :sleep_125

A4's,

The guy actually launching the plane is in the "Bubble" and the young Petty Officer is a Flight Deck Safety Observer.

Bubble:

080511-N-7981E-195 PERSIAN GULF (May 11, 2008) Aircraft directors are reflected in the shooter's bubble as they position an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Lancers" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 131 onto a steam powered catapult aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility supporting maritime security operations. U.S Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class James R. Evans (Released)

Inside the Bubble:

080104-N-0455L-003 PERSIAN GULF (Jan. 4, 2008) Lt. Chris Moylan stands watch in the waist bubble to ensure safe launching of aircraft from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 are underway on a scheduled deployment in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Justin Lee Losack (Released)

-ea6bflyr

 

[A4sForever]

A4's,

The guy actually launching the plane is in the "Bubble" and the young Petty Officer is a Flight Deck Safety Observer.

Bubble:

Yeah, I believe you ... I just don't "like it", wouldn't want to "do it" myself, and think things will ever be quite the same w/ the CAT O's becoming a "bubble boy".

Something is lost .... gone forever ... there's no substitute for the "wind" and "feel" and "sound" of the flight deck -- it goes right through you; you become part of it.

The CAT O's "dance" was almost as good as the LSO "dance" ... just shorter. Is that what she said ... ???

Here's a shot of one of my first ships launchin' a STOOF, not too long after I was onboard:

 

[efini_kid]

is the front wheel of the e2 off the deck?

 

[Pugs]

is the front wheel of the e2 off the deck?

E-2? E-2! That's a far cry from an E-2! Learn your history friend that's an S-2 aka the Stoof. The fixed wing carrier based ASW of its era prior to the S-3.

Note real round engines...

As for your question, maybe

 

[A4sForever]

is the front wheel of the e2 off the deck?

You mean the S-2??? The venerable "STOOF"??

If so; yes ... slightly when it went into tension. Between the bridle tension making her "squat", holdback fitting holding her back, and those two big roarin' 1500+hp Wright's beggin' to go .... yes.

The STOOF also had a tail skid that it would occasionally bounce off when it went taxiing by -- depending upon how it was loaded. Mo' bettah than skagging the tail:

 

[Hozer]

Kennedy, Connie and Big E are the last of the bubble-less flight decks...truly a passing era...