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Aircraft Carrier USS John C Stennis launching aircraft
An insight into what is involved in dispatching aircraft on the USS John C Stennis Aircraft Carrier.
Flight Simulation Game
As an Old woman who worked in an aircraft repair shop as a young girl, I have a life-long regard for the marvels of aircraft technology and dedication of flying and ground crews alike. This is an incredible video. America and its achievements has my unreserved admiration. God bless these people for keeping us all safe.
Served on USS Essex USS Saratoga USS Boxer 1958 1962 MM3 good times good friends
I spent 4 glorious hours aboard the USS Constellation when she spent 3 days R&R in Vancouver, Canada, some years back. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had . What a dedicated, well trained crew of professional sailors and airmen, and I only spent a short time on her. We here in Canada don’t have any carriers left. Thank God for our neighbor to the South.
I was on duty at a U.S. Army Nike-Hercules Air Defense Battery, with the major mission of defending Dyess AFB from enemy missile or bomber attack.
We were well trained and fully prepared. The Cuban Missile Crisis was a well known crisis and highlight during this time. It is believed that this period of time was the closest our nation has come to having a nuclear exchange with the former Soviet Union. Many times, the events have been broadcast with titles such as “The Cuban Missile Crisis”, “The Missiles of October” and other titles since October 1962.
have been going through some of my father’s Navy Aviation memorablia from WWII to donate to the museum in New Orleans – he served on the USS Belleauwood -have enjoyed seeing all of the history, but wished he was here to tell me the stories of all the articles, pictures and paperwork
Ernie Spetter…
HMM-362 went off the ‘Sweet Pea’ on 15 April 1962 bound for Soc Trang in the Mekong Delta. 49 years ago! See how flies keep time?
Doug
Vet USMC 61-67
This was an awsome video. It to brought back memories when I served on the USS Midway from 1976 – 1978 I was a plane captain for VA 93 spent many hours on the flight deck. The video was correct 16 hour days.
VF-74 BeDevillers, flying the F4B & F4J Phantom II from USS Forrestal, CV59 …late 60′s and early 70′s … interesting to see how much is still the same … and how much has changed.
I had to laugh out loud at the line that said the “work day starts at dawn” … back in the day, we worked 24/7!
So much the same (great memories) and some real differences. 2 cruises. Enterprise, CVN65 and America, CVA66, A7 aircraft, 96 missions. Greatest time of my life. We had a mission. Stop the spread of communism in SE Asia. Now it’s in our gov’t. and taking over. Where will it end?
On Coral Sea CVA-43 for 6 months (’65) and Oriskany CVA-34 for 2.5 years (’65-’67), OE Division, and was impressed every day of flight ops with how dangerous the job was and how well our guys were trained and carried out their mission. This is a great video.
My heart swelled with pride as I watched and listened to this video. America has so much to be proud of and grateful for. I only wish we could hear and see more of this kind of America’s people, instead of the endless dribble flooding the airways 24-7. Thank you for your service. GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Maybe because I did such a good job as Navy publicity chief(?)in Miami,Fla. on recruiting duty I was assigned to the carrier Ticonderoga operating off Viet Nam. The ship assigned me as their Career Counselor. In such a role I often visited different ship departments and flight squadrons aboard to get to know operating and living conditions. My visit with the synchronised ballet being performed on the scorching hot flight deck was incredible. My former ships were ‘small boys’(destroyers that plane guarded astern). To this day I still have pride of serving with shipmates that danced with death hours at a time with a great safety record.
I WAS ON THE USS SARATOGA CV60 IN VIETNAM DURING OPERATION LINEBACKER 72′-73′. I WAS A GUN CAPTAIN ON MT 52 5″54 MODE 8 GUN MOUNT. SOON DURING OUR DEPLOYMENT THE GUNS WERE REMOVED AND RETROFITED WITH POINT DEFENSE LAUNCHERS THAT HAD 8 SEA SPARROW MISSLES. I WAS PROMOTED TO LPO OF POINT DEFENSE DIVISION IN CHARGE OF TWO LAUNCHERS ON PORT AFT AND ONE STARBOARD FWD. WE ALSO HAD TWO CHAFFROCK SYSYTEMS. ONE ON THE ISLAND STABOARD AND ONE PORT SIDE OF THE FANTAIL. IT WAS PROBABLY THE MOST EXCITING POINT OF MY LIFE. I WATCH NOW EVERYDAY WHEN OUR CARRIERS ARE CALED TO DIFERENT COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD TO GIVE AID AND TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS ON THE GROUND. MY GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS AND “GOD BLESS AMERICA”
I was aboard the Coral Sea (CVA-43) during combat operations in the Tonkin Gulf (1967-1968). I was a Air Intercept controller and Strike Controller. It was very high tempo and we had an extraordinary crew. I finished my 21 years of service on the Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Persian Gulf during the Iran and Iraq war in 1980 as the Asst. Electronic Warfare Officer. You have to serve on a Flat Top to really appreciate what the brave men and women endure to keep us free.
I’m a fairly new military Mother. My daughter is serving on the USS Stennis for 2 years now. This video makes me even more proud of all our US military men and women serving our great country. God Bless and protect you..
I WAS A PLANK OWNER FOR THE USS RANGER(CVA-61). THIS VIDEO BROUGHT BACK A LOT OF MEMORIES FOR ME. IT HAS BEEN OVER 50 YEARS SINCE THE COMMISSION OF THE RANGER AND THE TECHNOLOGY SINCE THEN FOR THESE CARRIERS HAS BEEN REMARKABLE. WHAT WAS REALLY A SIGHT TO SEE WAS THESE JET AIRCRAFT LANDING ON THE CARRIER FOR NIGHT TIME OPERATIONS. I WAS FORTUNEATE TO BE ABLE TO WITNESS SUCH A REMARKABLE FEAT. OUR BOY’S ARE DOING A FANTASTIC JOB- GOD BLESS THEM ALL.
I was an AMS and served aboard the USS Midway,VA-115 1976-1978.USS Forrestal,VA-85 1978-1979.USS Ranger,VA-165 1982-1984,USS Kitty Hawk,VA-165 1985-1986,USS Nimitz AIMD,1989-1992.There is not a day that goes by I do not think about those days and think about NAVAIR.Some days I wish I could help in an Alpha Strike.
I spent eight years in Nuke Submarines, wish I had stayed. My second choice would have been carrier flight deck ops, it seems like a thrilling teamwork place. And thats what most commenters say ” THE ADVENTURES, FRIENDS, THE TEAMWORK, all dedicated for our Nation. It is still being carried on by todays sailors, soldiers, Marines, Airmen and Coasties……A SALUTE TO ALL WHO SERVE AMERICA!!!!
Seems to be a bit of a snafu here; my original message follows:
From 1948 to 1952 I was a U.S. Navy Combat Correspondent based at CinCPac, Pearl Harbor. When I was assigned to combat duty in Korea, I left Japan in an old TBM Avenger Torpedo Bomber (sitting in the gun turret), that transported me to the aircraft carrier USS Boxer. What an experience landing on the deck of a carrier! Then high-lined to the USS Misspillion, a tanker, that sailed north where I transferred to the destroyer USS Brinkley-Bass that took me into Wonsan Harbor, guns blazing away at enemy artillery positions, where I joined the Marines defending the islands. From there I traveled in an LST and another destroyer and high-lined to the USS Valley Forge, taking off again in an another Avenger that took me to Korea proper. There I served with the Marines on the MLR doing night patrols. Not the smartest thing I’ve ever done. But the gyrenes were great guys and took very good care of me under the most intense situations. I was always impressed with the skills and professionalism of the carrier crews – especially during my safe landing and takeoff. Anchors aweigh from this old sailor.
Correction; that’s Ed Gruber
I was a U.S. Navy Combat Correspondent 1948-1952 based at CinCPac, Pearl Harbor. When I was assigned to Korean combat duty I flew from Japan in an old TBM Avenger Torpedo Bomber, sitting in the gun turret, and we landed on the old USS Boxer. What an experience. Then high-lined to the U.S. Mispillion, a tanker, that sailed north where I switched to the destroyer USS Brinkley Bass that took me into Wonsan Harbor where I worked with the U.S. Marines who were defending the islands in harbor. Later, I went to another Destroyer and then to the carrier USS Valley Forge, where I took off in another Avenger that transported me to Korea proper where I served with the Marines doing night patrols near the MLR. Always impressed with the carriers and the professionalism it took to handle all the aircraft — especially my safe landing and takeoff. Anchors aweigh from this old sailor.
From 1963 thru 1970 I worked at the Westinghouse site at the National Reactor Testing Station in the desert in Idaho. I was a draftsman and worked on the plans for the S1W (prototype for the nuclear submarine)and A1W (prototype for the nuclear aircraft carrier). We trained many naval personnel in the workings of nuclear systems. Admiral Rickover visited our facility many times during my tenure.
Awesome video, As they say back in the day!!!Brings back great memories from when I pulled duty on U.S.S. Gregory DD802 60-63, at time part of our assignment was plane guard behind our western pacific carriers during launches/landings. Go Navy!!!
I was aboard the USS Oriskany CVA-34 with Fighter Squadron 194. Three West Pac tours from 1968-1972. I was an AO2. Watching the clip brought back memories of the adrenalin rush during launch and recovery operations. I can still smell the JP5 and hear the unbelievable wine of those aircrft at full after burner on the cats. We lost some great guys during these times. Thanks for the memories. I am proud to have served.
Memories of the flight deck. I served as an AO on the U.S.S. BonHomme Richard (Bonnie Dick) in ’65-68 with my squadron of A-4E’s in VA-93,based in Lemoore. then switched to A-7 Corsairs and went back to ‘Nam aboard the U.S.S. Ranger. Besides fusing all ordance, led the arm/dearm crew for each sortie. ‘saw lots of serious mishaps, no injuries because in all that chaos, every man knew his job at any given moment, and never shirked his responsibility. Those were the best of times for me, serving with men who learned what teamwork really meant. Made me proud to be an American.
GO NAVY!!
Enjoyed the comments immensely. There truly is nothing like the flight deck of a carrier during ops. Organized chaos.
The one aviator spoke of following a director’s taxi signals to park with his wheel inches from the gutter. You have to trust yourself to so many in so many ways.
Reminded me of a sea story. One night on Essex (CVA-9), I was being directed out of the pack in my AD-6 on a totally black deck. No moon glow lights in those days. Suddenly, the director gave me an emergency stop, and a cut engine signal. After the plane was chained down, I crawled out and saw a crowd underneath. My heart was in my throat, because I assumed my 14 ft prop had caught someone. Turned out he just taxiied my left wheel into the gutter. Such a relief that I didn’t even think about the consequences if I had gone three inches further.
Proud plank owner of USS Constellation (CVA-64). Joined as “Kiddie cruiser”. Served aboard from 7/1961 to 9/1963 as PT2. Commissioned Brooklyn, NY. Around South America to San Diego. Present as Connie was decomissioined in San Diego 8/63. Quite a number of “firsts” for Connie. Soviet flyover, first ace in Vietnam, etc. Wonderful time of my life. Joined as a boy and came out a man!!
I was an ADJ3 on USS Saratoga 1958, plane captain on a F8U-1 Crusader and watching this vidio sure does bring back some memories. We were invoved in the Lebonon Crises. I am very proud of my hitch in the Navy and all the ones who served and now serving. Go Navy
I spent just over 10 yrs. active & 11 1/2 in NavRes. Always admired those “big ships”, cause being stationed on a MSC and MSO was like a cork in a swimming pool!
Yep–got seasick a few times on them, too! GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and all the good things that we stand for! ! ! Much admiration for those “air-dales” handling those planes!
Retired Jun ’90 as a Seabee CM-1. “Anchors aweigh”!
It’s always a trip to watch carrier videos. Worked the flight deck on the USS Franklin D Roosevelt CVA 42. Was with AO3, loaded bombs and rockets and stuff. Attached to VA-12, We had A4s. Home port was Jacksonville FL
1962 – 1965
I was aboard the USS Princeton from 1962 t0 1964 in OE division.The “Sweet Pea” was being converted from CVA-37 to LPH-5 when I came aboard.. I loved to watch the flight ops..
The only Government operation I have ever been involved in is efficient and works. Flight Deck Operations on an Aircraft carrier. Go Navy
My husband flew the F8 Crusader off the USS Hancock years ago. This was the most interesting and expository film I have seen of launches. I was disappointed that you didn’t include the landings which really amaze people. Will there be a follow up including landings? Thanks
I served aboard USS Kitty Hawk CVA 63 from 61-64 – A plank Owner and sailed the boat around the Horn and made several Far East cruises. I went aboard as a EMFN and after working in the A&O shop I was transfered to V-2 Div to work on Cats & Aresting gear.
The Old Gal was decommissioned last year and now lies in Bremerton, WA
WD
Great video. I flew off Randolph, Essex, and Intrepid 1961 to 66.
My greatest heroes have always been the teenage sailors who manned the flight deck day and night, directing us, tying us down and servicing our aircraft. Most vivid memory was when I was first one aboard about 0300. Yellow shirts w. flashlights directed me all the way to the bow, where a youngster, standing on the round down taxiied me right up nose to his nose to a stop with my starboard main mount inches from the gutter.
That is trust and dedication! I salute them all. God Bless LKW
During the period 1959-1963 made 4 cruises aboard the Ranger, Lexington and the Ticondaroga with VF-92 and VF-54. 3 westpacts and took the Lexington around the Horn to Norfolk Virgina to be taken out of fleet service to replace the Boxer. Spent many hours on the flight deck as a brown shirt and a green shirt. Good memories, Go Navy
An absolutely beautiful ship & planes. I’m 68 yrs old, never been in service, a female and I just love love love military planes. This was a great video.
Was on USS SAN JACINTO (CVL30) 1943-46.
FUTURE PRESIDENT GWP GEORGE BUSH WAS PILOT
ON THIS SHIP..WAS SHOT DOWN FEW TIMES.
Great ships, great crews, great airmen…BUT let us not forget
those that came before such as the USS Tripoli CVE 64 and the
fleet of over 100 other CVE’s…..
These are great ships, great crew members and great airman…BUT
let us not forget the USS Tripoli CVE 64 and all that came back
when….
Yes this brings back memories. I served during the 50′s on the USS Philipine Sea,USS Shangri-La and TDY on USS Yorktown, all in the Seventh Fleet in the Pacific. Hawaii, Philipines, Guam, Japan, Hong Kong, Alaska, Singapore and many others.
Although today, it’s much more sophisticated the film brought back memories of when I was an ordnance man on the flight deck of the USS Princeton during the Korean War. I was 20 years old and can confirm the statement that it was a dangerous place to work, but I would not have misssed it for anything. The film makes me proud of the continued dedication of the young sailors of today.
I spent my sea duty tours in fighter squadrons (VF-82,VF41,VF-103 and my last tour in VF-33) aboard Intrepid and Enterprise. Other carriers I that I toured on were Antietam, Saratoga, Bennington and Forrestal. During my last tour (1962-1963)in VF-33 as the squadron maintenance chief on Enterprise, I can identify with the hazards associated with flight deck operations. Every launch is a very busy and exciting experience.
Each time I see movies or videos of carrier operations it brings back many fond memories of friends and crewmembers and experiences that can never forgotten. Even today, although I am 81 years of age, when I see films of carrier ops, I still fell anxious and the excitement and wish I were still on board. I guess I’m still eaten up with my experiences.
Any former shipmates from the Big E out there respond in the comments section.
I was on the USS Enterprise CVA(N)65 from 1962 until 1966. Was a YN2. Went on 3 Med cruises and an Around the World cruise after we finished what had to be done in the Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea. All I can say is that we were all glad to get to the Phillipines and Olangapo for liberty and the “hey Joe, good time $2.” This sure brings back some memories of the past. Guys and Gals assigned to this ship, all I can say is “Have fun”.
I was a Hot Suitman on the USS America, CVA 66, Vietnam 1968. Love the new technology that the newer Carriers are equiped with. I did not see any Hot Suitmen in the video. I am wondering if they still use them. Also there were no Blue Shirts and some of the other shirt colors were changed. Would be intersesting to know why.
My salute to the meticulous ADJ’s. I cut my teeth on A3Ds, starting at Sanford Fla 1959 and was in and around them for most of my years, although phased to A6# in 1966. Cruises: Ranger 1963, had a friend who was an advisor in Vietnam 1964, Forrestal 1965 (In Genoa when Italians pointed out the news of Vietnam) Ship’s co Enterprise and Kitty Hawk.
I was on the USS RANGER CVA-61 from 12-08-65 till 08-??-66. I was on the USS CONSTELLATION CVA-64 from April,`67 till Dec 04,`67. I was a 2nd class petty officer, ADJ-2. My squadron was VA-146 “The World Famous Blue Diamonds”. We were home based at Lemoore Naval Air Station,Lemoore,CA.I spent many hours on the flight deck as a jet mechanic trouble shooter & plane captain. This brings back many memories of carrier flight ops on the South China Sea, Gulf of Tonkin, Viet Nam. Keep up the good work, Gals & Guys. It was only Guys in my day. Sincerely, Willie “D”
The John C. Stennis Aircraft Carrier program I was proud to see over and over. Words cannot describe how proud this made me feel to know that this Carrier is on our side. I hope that these men can realize how proud we Americans are of them.
Charles Svensen (ex Navy Seabee)
As an ADJ-2 on The USS Independence CVA-62 50 years ago, this brings back great memories of my Navy days. I was a Jet Engine Mech on the A3D Skywarrior,commonly known as the Whale.This was great duty for a 17 year old right out of high school. I made 3 Medeteranian Cruises on ” The Indy “