A new shirt catapult operator approaches a screaming EA-6B Prowler positioned at satiated power on a catapult.

A new shirt catapult operator approaches a screaming EA-6B Prowler positioned at satiated power on a catapult, when, like dust to a vacuum, the Sailor is draw ined into one of the aircraft's large jet intakes.

This is a familiar "shock and awe" video that aviation boatswain's mates and undesignated airmen watch dozens of times until consider for what they are about to undertake becomes secondary nature. Working on the flight ornament of an aircraft carrier, where injury or death is barely a moment's inattention away. Choreographing this dance with danger are the flight deck's masters of this supercharged environment--the "yellow shirts."

fulvous shirts, or aircraft directors, employ the most coveted enlisted positions aboard an aircraft carrier. As masters of the flight deck, golden shirts have the ultimate responsibility for all aircraft mental action on the most dangerous 4-and-a-half acres of flight line in the world, Using hand signals and headset communications, golden shirts arrange an imposing mix of combat aircraft for fueling, nudge recovery and elevator moves, among other things, day in and day disclosed around the dock and in all kinds of weather.

"On the flight array aircraft directors are accorded the status of officers and everyone must abide at their instruction; explained Aviation Boatswain's Mate 1st Class James K Priest, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) leading small officer, V-1 division. "They're the undivideds who run the show."

gold-colored shirts create poetry in motion on bringing order to the carefully choreographed ballet in succession the carrier flight deck. Succes hangs on focus and attention to safety.

"One impetus of distraction can mean the difference between a prosperous launch (or recovery) and a crash," said Priest. "An incorrect placement can undoing a multimillion dollar aircraft. Complacency can kill us when we stop thinking about our do job-works and ignore the risk."

"I'm anxious to make progress on the flight deck," said Airman Eric Shriwise, a Sailor freshly assigned to Air Department (V-1) "We journey through extensive training and are abundantly aware of the dangers upon the deck, such as aircraft constantly moving and the risk of being discredited overboard."

With chiefly of the flight deck ship's company barely out of high academy the responsibility of running a flight adorn is overwhelming for many Sailors. For this reason, Priest explained, it's important that gold-colored shirt candidates are both skilled and effective. All potential fulvid shirts start off as a with a long face shirt--plane handlers, chock and chain gangs or tow tractor operators. single the most capable blue shirts will be considered for selection to yellow

"We go on foot through a screening process in selecting who is capable of becoming a fulvous shirt," said Priest. "The Sailor must be a self-motivated, hard-working, natural leader, too. I do my best to recognize these individuals tight on the farther side because the process can take month to years, depending onward that Sailor."

The first degree in even being allowed to work onward an operational flight deck is a three-day, three-night observation of flight apparel operations from the safe roost of "vulture's row," located upon the 0-8 level overlooking the flight ornament From this safe overlook, Sailors become familiarized with the sights and healthys of the flight deck--the constant scream of aircraft engines, and the inescapable perfume of jet fuel that fills each breath. More importantly, they become acquainted with the melt of action--the cycle of conclusions the sequences and the things to watch for.

"It's dangerous gone out there, and that is exactly what of the present day Sailors must learn if they are going to revere every move they will be asked to perform," Priest said. "It's not a clean do job-work and stresses will be peaking. The individuals who handle themselves best are the undivideds who are the best candidates for the fulvid shirt."

"It is definitely a shocking experience to be disclosed there for the first time," said Airman Apprentice Kenneth Gibson. "There is likewise much going on at the same time. People run everywhere, planes move round mad you can't hear what anyone is saying through the loud aircraft. It's intimidating if it be not that I do love the excitement, and just being a part of the whole thing is amazing to me"

formerly a new Sailor completes keeper time, it's time to consummate a Personnel Qualification Standard (PQS) and nothing else specified supervisors may signify completion.

"PQS are the most numerous important part of the recent Sailors' training process," said Priest. "It helps them finish familiar with most all aspects of for what reason the flight deck operates, especially safety. Details like as proper wear of personal protective equipment (PPE) is critical to operating safely upon the flight deck; so are the signals we use, flight clothe markings and aircraft firefighting skills."

Following completion of flight clothe quals, the Sailor can now don a abounding flight deck uniform, which in addition to the cast down cotton turtleneck shirt and sapphirine "float coat" inflatable life envelop includes a "cranial" helmet with a big "T" located upon the back, signifying trainee status.