People on the Flight Deck

Much goes into flight operations aboard today's modern US Navy aircraft carriers. Preparations for a launch or recovery very much resemble a well-choreographed ballet. Those involved in the evolution have specific, clearly defined roles, and are easily recognizable by the color of their jerseys and helmets.

The Air Department aboard the Aircraft Carrier consists of the following Divisions:
V-1 Division is responsible for moving aircraft on the flight deck and "spotting" catapults. They are also responsible for making sure the flight deck is free of foreign object debris (FOD). V-2 Division maintains and operates all of the catapult launching and arresting gear. V-3 Division has about 80 people and is responsible for moving aircraft in the hangar bay. V-4 Division has about 50-60 people who work on the flight deck; fueling aircraft, defueling aircraft and repairing fuel stations. V-5 Division consisting of approximately 15 Sailors, handles primary flight control. This division works with the air boss and keeps track of all of the aircraft.

Five People control Operations on the Flight Deck:

Air Boss directs all aspects of flight deck operations from Primary Flight Control, the carrier's control tower, including launching, recovery and shipboard handling of the aircraft. Mini Boss the Air Boss' assistant in directing operations on the flight deck. The Handler directs the handling of the aircraft on the flight deck and in the hangar bay. Air Bos'n supervises crash crews and fire parties in handling aircraft emergencies during flight and general Quarters. LSO Landing Signal Officer, monitors and directs the final approach and landing of every fixed wing aircraft.

Meaning of the different Colors of Helmets and Jerseys:

Color of Jersey

Color of Helmet

Tasks

Photo

blue

blue

- Aircraft Handlers - Tractor Drivers

blue

white

- Aircraft Elevator Operators - Messengers and Phone Talkers - Aircraft Directors

no photo available

blue

yellow yellow (The letters "UI" on a helmet stand for "Under Instruction" and indicate that this "Yellow Shirt" is an apprentice. Photo.)

no photo available

yellow

- Plane Directors - Aircraft Handling Officers

yellow

green (with three red stripes)

- Catapult and Arresting Gear Officers

green

green

- Catapult and Arresting Gear Crews - Air Wing Maintenance Personnel Photographer's Mates - Catapult and Arresting Gear Officers - Cargo Handling Personnel - Helicopter Landing Signal Enlisted Personnel (LSE) no photo available

green

yellow (with three red stripes)

green

white

green

brown

- Air Wing Quality Control Personnel

white

none (sometimes white)

- Landing Signal Officers (LSO)

white

white

- Air Transfer Officers (ATO) - Medical Personnel - Visitors / VIPs

white

green

- Squadron Plane Inspectors - Liquid Oxygen (LOX) Crews

brown

brown

- Air Wing Plane Captains - Air Wing Line Leading Petty Officers

brown

red

- Air Wing Helicopter Captains

purple

purple

- Aviation Fuels

red

red

- Ordnancemen - Crash and Salvage Crews - Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)