Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Wildcat1 on February 26, 2015, 12:56:32 PM
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Hey guys, I just got back from a long hiatus to the game, mainly because of my job, which just so happens to be the COOLEST JOB IN THE WORLD!!!
I am an Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class (AC3) onboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. We returned a few weeks ago from two separate month-long underway periods to complete Carrier Qualifications, or CQ's. This is where Fleet Replacement Squadron pilots earn their sea legs, by completing a specified number of landings (traps) aboard the carrier. This is also where veteran pilots re-qualify.
I had a couple of days where I was able to spend time to watch flight ops, and take photos, mainly from "Vulture's Row" and the LSO platform. Most of these are a little shaky, due to the 30 kt. winds on the flight deck. Enjoy!
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0792_zpsvfk1bjj7.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0796_zpsqaxl9pqg.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0800_zps7pw8pd1j.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0803_zpsujgdtk6b.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0808_zpssvsao26c.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0809_zpsipobgswa.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0816_zpsxjjzj3uo.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0819_zpsy0j6pdm5.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0822_zps4frphodf.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0829_zpsva2ecndv.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0833_zpsnpjfm2n2.jpg)
(Imagine having to work that close to those spinning props!)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0837_zpsjqjjvl6u.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0841_zpsbqypc8rp.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0854_zpsczcls4zf.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0859_zpszsvhnidt.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0863_zps8ccig0jx.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0864_zpsrhv588y1.jpg)
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy329/Wildcat1995/DSC_0867_zpso59l9jp9.jpg)
(You're welcome for your new wallpapers :D )
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Sweet pics, I love how CFR looks like they are about to fall off the deck.
LawnDart
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Great pics but I have to question the "coolest job in the world". Wouldn't the fighter jock's job be the coolest and Traffic Control the second coolest?
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See Rule #4
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Freaking awesome OP, great stuff, great pictures.
I have a pile of questions about USN ATC, I could pester you for days with them. My first real job after school was as a civilian ATC.
Are all ATC positions in the Navy enlisted ranks, or is their some sort of officer ATC or supervisor MOS?
Do many Navy ATC's get civvy side ATC jobs after hanging up their uniforms? Does the FAA recognize that training and experience for the most part?
These are great pictures, I hope on your deployment, as I assume this is a work up for one from what you've posted, you are permitted to put up some more pictures, as these are excellent.
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Freaking awesome OP, great stuff, great pictures.
I have a pile of questions about USN ATC, I could pester you for days with them. My first real job after school was as a civilian ATC.
Are all ATC positions in the Navy enlisted ranks, or is their some sort of officer ATC or supervisor MOS?
Do many Navy ATC's get civvy side ATC jobs after hanging up their uniforms? Does the FAA recognize that training and experience for the most part?
These are great pictures, I hope on your deployment, as I assume this is a work up for one from what you've posted, you are permitted to put up some more pictures, as these are excellent.
Navy ATC is in itself an Enlisted rate (AC). Therefore, all controllers are enlisted, with the exception of ATCFO's (ATC Facility Officers) who are LDO, prior-enlisted AC's. Chiefs usually man supervisory positions, however on carriers, it's not unusual to see the CATCC (Carrier ATC Center) Officer taking the overall helm, while the Chief backs him up (such is the case on my ship, our LT was a Chief in his "previous life", and he's a walking CATCC encyclopedia).
The FAA does recognize military training and time in rate, certifications, etc. All AC's get an FAA "pink card", which is like our ATC driver's license. It outlines all of our qualifications. A lot of AC's getting out of the military tend to start out at DOD towers, which still pay pretty well, and work their way up from there. The FAA age limit for entry is 31, but there's a caveat for military controllers who retire on pension (20+ years).
EDIT: Just saw that you were a civilian ATC, so I probably just said a lot of stuff you already know LOL
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Really awesome stuff. Congrats to the entire team for getting them up and getting them down safely.
Sadly Ive never even seen a CV in person. Tho I do love them.
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:aok :aok Glad you are doing well Wildcat!!!
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I didn't know any of that Wildcat, thanks for the info, interesting stuff. I was an ATC outside the FAA in another country, and 20 years ago, and know nothing about the USN control scheme. That's all very new and interesting info for me - so all the officer ATC facilities guys are recruited from the enlisted ranks? Great option IMO. I'd be great to have a military pension and be a civilian controller at defense department towers or even regular FAA controlled facilities while still being in your late 30s or early/mid 40s. Solid career path, thanks for your service, the pictures, and keep them coming in the future.
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Does that bring back some great memories! I spent 2 years (78-80) on board the USS Dwight D Eisenhower, CVN69, also a Nimitz class carrier. I was an EM (electricians mate) and spent the last year as a flight deck electrician. We were in charge of the starting stations for the jets as well as all elevators , aircraft, weapons, and Captains :rolleyes: guy couldn't even climb a few ladders! LOL!
Spent many a day on that deck, or climbing under it to do maintenance on the aircraft elevators. Scary place to work, but pretty thrilling all the same.
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Does that bring back some great memories! I spent 2 years (78-80) on board the USS Dwight D Eisenhower, CVN69, also a Nimitz class carrier. I was an EM (electricians mate) and spent the last year as a flight deck electrician. We were in charge of the starting stations for the jets as well as all elevators , aircraft, weapons, and Captains :rolleyes: guy couldn't even climb a few ladders! LOL!
Spent many a day on that deck, or climbing under it to do maintenance on the aircraft elevators. Scary place to work, but pretty thrilling all the same.
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!
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Thanks for sharing those with us Wildcat! :aok :aok
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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!
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(http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa433/arloguh03/Welcome_back_zpsd42b0ab5.png~original)
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Love the paint job on the CAG bird. Welcome back Wildcat. Thanks for sharing the photos and your experience with us :aok
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Love the paint job on the CAG bird. Welcome back Wildcat. Thanks for sharing the photos and your experience with us :aok
Funny story about that bird.
So the CAG, CAPT. Stuart "Studa" Baker, is one of the coolest guys on earth. He frequently visits CATCC and starts shooting the air with us, which is very cool to say the least. However he's not exactly the best pilot.
So we're doing night time flight ops, and the seas were a bit heavier than usual so the deck was pitching a bit. We had just completed the first group when all of a sudden, good ol' CAG Baker gets shot off the cat and requests one stick (touch n' go) and one stone (trap). So he does his touch n' go, no big deal. Now comes the hard part. The night time Case 3 pattern is at minimum a 12-mile left hand race track, so it takes some time for planes to go around. CAG Baker lines up, Bolter. Go around, Bolter. 3rd time's a charm..... Bolter. He ends up missing five times before we declare him Bingo on the Ball (critical fuel, if you don't make it this time, your sorry butt is flying back to San Diego, no qual).
We were watching him on the PLAT, which is the camera on the flight deck with crosshairs, shooting up the glide path to show the LSO where the guy is in relation to the glidepath. So he's getting pretty close, looking good this time, all of a sudden we get a call from the bridge that we're in a left turn. So you slowly see good ol' CAG Baker veer waaaaaaaaaay to the right. He turns back to correct, but it's too late. The LSO calls for a wave off at the last possible second, and we tell him to signal Bingo (bye bye, CAG!). good ol' CAG Baker didn't take too kindly to this apparently, as he goes full burner, pitches up, and proceeds to scrape his hook along the entire landing area, before lifting back up and heading home.
The next day, Strike Ops draws a cartoon on the back of the day's Air Plan. It was a cartoon of a Studebaker with a tail hook, scraping along the flight deck. The caption was "No night trap for the CAG tonight!" :rofl
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Great pics. Thanks for sharing. :salute
One question, what is the story with the different emblems on the tails of NG 411? The right stab has the usual Fist of the Fleet insignia, but on the left, is something else.
edit: Amazing story! :rofl :rofl :rofl
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Awesome Pics!
I'd not like being that guy in the vehicle at the bow.
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Awesome Pics!
I'd not like being that guy in the vehicle at the bow.
That is Crash Fire Rescue, if I remember right they have 2 crews on standby during every op. Also Wildcat and Fugi can probably attest that ALL crew members are fire qualified. When I was in and going through school down in Millington Tenn, a few of the class were going to be CFR onboard different types of ships. They went through school with us then when they were to get on ship they had to go through another school as you can't get an AS32-P19A onboard ship, too big, even for a aircraft carrier.
(http://olive-drab.com/images/id_fire_p19_700_04.jpg)
So this is what their crash truck looks like up close..
(http://www.hyperscale.com/images/smw48007reviewrk_3.jpg)
Big difference huh?? The big advantage they have is the ability to hook up and draw water from the ocean, we had to hook up to a hydrant or porta tank or tanker truck.
Hope that helps a little, Fugi and Wildcat can let you know if I got some thing incorrect but I hope I didn't.
LawnDart
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Ya you covered it pretty well. I don't remember ours being parked on the bow during OPs. They were always midships to be closer to where most trouble erupts.
Every member of the crew did fire training. Maybe not as intense as someone who was going out for that rate, but pretty thorough. After all if your ship burnt down it was a long walk home :devil
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Great pics. Thanks for sharing. :salute
One question, what is the story with the different emblems on the tails of NG 411? The right stab has the usual Fist of the Fleet insignia, but on the left, is something else.
edit: Amazing story! :rofl :rofl :rofl
So those are actually two different 411's. We had squadrons from different air wings come out for a couple days, and the result of that was multiple aircraft with the same side number. The calling for the first one was "Fist 411" and the second was "Switch 411". Made things a bit confusing!
on the crash truck, it was parked there because that cat was down for a while. We have many crash trucks on board (I'll try to get a picture to show you what ours look like). Crash and Salvage is manned by members of the Air department (AB rates) and Weapons Department (AO's, GM's)
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So those are actually two different 411's. We had squadrons from different air wings come out for a couple days, and the result of that was multiple aircraft with the same side number. The calling for the first one was "Fist 411" and the second was "Switch 411". Made things a bit confusing!
I figured this to be the case, but both having NG tail codes really threw me off.
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Nice pics. :aok
https://www.youtube.com/embed/wfOD2y_AD_w?feature=player_embedded
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I figured this to be the case, but both having NG tail codes really threw me off.
Yeah the tail codes are assigned to aircraft type, and region. So NG is an F/A-18E/F of NAF Pacific.
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Gorgeous shots! Things like this make me excited to get up and go to work on Monday lol. Hopefully I'll be out there shooting my quals in a year!
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Gorgeous shots! Things like this make me excited to get up and go to work on Monday lol. Hopefully I'll be out there shooting my quals in a year!
:aok do you know which air wing you'll be a part of? Still CNATRA for now?
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:aok do you know which air wing you'll be a part of? Still CNATRA for now?
JUST started Primary, VT-3 with TraWing5
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JUST started Primary, VT-3 with TraWing5
Very nice! :aok
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My last boat. My squadron was in the first CAW deployed on that puppy. It was brand spanking new back then in 97...