I bet you have many a memory on just how LOUD it is on the 03 level when aircraft are landing right on top of you! Going from CATCC to my berthing is always fun, because I have to walk through the arresting gear rooms!
LOL!!! our shop was under the #1 JBD (jet blast deflector)!!! For those that don't know, a JBD is the "wall" they raise out of the deck to deflect the jet engine blast upward, and so not blowing people and things off the deck. They pump water through it to cool it while its getting hit by the blast. The engine blast is so hot that the water turns to steam almost immediately.
Now if you ever saw some of those old movies where the houses were heated with radiators, sometimes they would have them "grumble" and whistle and point out it was the radiator. Now picture the "radiator abour 50 times as big with a 6 inch water line running into it. The grumble this thing puts out when the steam blows through is one heck of a racket!!! We use to wear the flight deck helmets in the shop during launches for the hearing protection!
Use to have to stand watch in the arresting gear rooms. They needed an electrician on hand during ops. Another loud place to hang out. The whine of the pumps to reset the gear, was enough to make you shoot yourself. They were always hot as hell too, fans and blowers going full blast helped keep the noise leave up too.
Our bunks were right above the steering gear room. You don't realize how many little adjustment they need to keep a ship that big pointed in one direction. Each little turn had those huge pumps stroking out.
It's a wonder I'm not deaf!
Again, thanks for the memories!