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Flight deck operations on an aircraft carrier have been compared
to a ballet. Anyone who is afforded the opportunity to observe
flight deck operations on an aircraft carrier will instantly notice
the assortment of colors worn by the personnel to specify their job.
After watching how the flight deck operates for a while, it is
clear, one jersey color is in charge of the big dance; yellow.
Aviation boatswain’s mates (handling) (ABH), commonly known as
yellow shirts, that work on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier
USS Nimitz (CVN 68) are directly responsible for the handling and
maneuvering of aircraft as well as the safety of all personnel
during flight operations. Any mistake or lack of better judgement
can cause damage to equipment or injury to personnel on the flight
deck.
“At first being a yellow shirt was scary, but now that
I have some confidence I would say there is a sense of pride,” said
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Melanie Cluck, from
Palm Springs, California. “On the flight deck we are not only
responsible for directing aircraft but also for directing people.
Normally anyone who needs guidance on the flight deck looks for a
yellow shirt. Safety of all the personnel on deck is a big part of
our job as well. So we don’t only need to know our job, but everyone
else’s as well.”
Before donning the sought-after yellow
jersey, ABHs wear blue jerseys to indicate that they are currently
in a more junior status. These Sailors are normally newer airmen who
have yet to acquire all of the necessary qualifications. Their main
responsibilities during flight operations include chocking and
chaining, running elevators and tractor operation.
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August 4, 2017 - U.S. Navy
Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling)
3rd Class Melanie Cluck, from Palm Springs, Calif., and Airman
Michael Lathrop, from Atlanta, poses for a photo aboard the aircraft
carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the Arabian Gulf. Nimitz is deployed
in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of Operation
Inherent Resolve. While in this region, the ship and strike group
are conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies and
partners, preserve freedom of navigation, and maintain the free flow
of commerce. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd
Class Ian Kinkead)
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“Being a blue shirt is hard work, but it makes you
tough,” said Airman Michael Lothrop, from Atlanta. “It’s hot
up there right now, and we work long days, but you have to
be on alert at all times and ready to get the job done
whenever you are needed.”
Blue shirts are normally
covered in grease and always carrying something heavy,
whether it be a chain, tractor bar or chock. They play a big
part in the maneuvering of aircraft on the flight deck
because they do most of the hands on work. During their time
wearing blue, they learn the ins and outs of properly
directing aircraft, which helps build the foundation of a
high performance yellow shirt.
Since the job
requires demanding attention to detail and an extreme amount
of knowledge to be performed well. The training and amount
of hours a Sailor needs to put in to become a yellow shirt
is impressive.
“There are two main qualifications you
get as a blue shirt, but from there it’s all about if your
chain of command sees you have the initiative to take on
being a yellow shirt,” said Cluck.
The
qualifications required are flight deck observer and
directing and handling in addition to all the qualifications
Sailors are required to obtain when they report to Nimitz.
The qualification requirements take roughly 12 weeks to
complete. After the completion of required qualifications,
Sailors take a written and oral test administered by the
flight deck leading petty officer (LPO), assistant LPO and
any other yellow shirt qualified chief petty officers or
first class petty officers who decide to attend.
Once
a Sailor earns the right to wear the color yellow on the
flight deck, they will enter a status of under inspection
(UI). This means they need an experienced yellow shirt to
help them along the way of becoming an expert at their new
job on the flight deck.
“It’s a case by case basis on
how long the UI process takes,” said Cluck. “The process is
just there to make sure you fully understand what you are
doing on the flight deck. It’s extensive work to say the
least, but it helps you build character. The goal of the
process is just to build you up to be the great yellow shirt
you are supposed to be.”
A UI yellow shirt is always
accompanied by a seasoned mentor who is observing every
signal and decision they make to ensure that they are
learning the process.
Yellow shirts have to
communicate with pilots and other personnel working on the
flight deck with hand signals to move aircraft onto the
catapults and off of the landing area safely.
“You
have to be able to really get control of your aircraft and
understand the pilot,” said
Cluck. “It’s a gut feeling
that you develop during your training, if you feel you need
to slow the aircraft down you can, and you start to learn
when exactly to turn it. We have hundreds of hand signals we
can use to take control of the aircraft on deck. The people
in the pilot seats are officers so you have to be
professional and every motion you make has to be crisp and
precise to prevent accidents.”
The working
environment of a yellow shirt is unlike anywhere else on the
ship. On the 04 level of Nimitz is where someone would find
the yellow shirt locker. A tight-knit group of men and women
who spend their time out of the scorching heat joking,
laughing and preparing to launch multi-million-dollar
aircraft into the sky. It is here where the instructors of
the world’s most dangerous ballet reside. It is here, where
the yellow shirts dwell, mentally preparing themselves to
launch aircraft as their ship currently sits at the tip of
the spear.
Nimitz is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet
area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
While in this region, the ship and strike group are
conducting maritime security operations to reassure allies
and partners, preserve freedom of navigation, and maintain
the free flow of commerce.
By USS Nimitz Public Affairs
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2017
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