Beautiful Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck Dance Video. What The Real Top Guns Are Like

[@davemiller3027]

Just think most of those sailors are just 19 to 22years old. Heck some were in high-school a year before. I absolutely feared and love being on the flight deck. It made a kid grow up to a man really fast.

[@michaelbetts5723]

Amen Brother!

[@teanbikkies]

Just watching those guys at the end talking between themselves about the hooks, took me back 45 yrs to my military days. The banter is like nothing else, and I miss it so much.

[@etna253]

Nobody in this world does aircraft carriers like the USA, love you guys.

[@scottharris5714]

They’re the best!!

[@Barneylso]

Working in arresting gear many days were 18hrs long, I worked with the LSO (landing signals officer) in my seventies now, watching this makes me wish I just had half the energy I had back then!

[@Honu425]

You can always spot a "flight deck" sailor in port. He will be the one with his head on a swivel; always moving!!

[@torn-_shuttle123]

This video by far is probably the best that I’ve seen that represents “old school” catapult launches. They don’t do this anymore. Thank you for posting this.

[@rogerhopson3495]

My son worked the flight deck on the JFK home port Mayport (Jacksonville) Fl. They had a dependent cruise and my dad and I got to go. They fed us had great bands (should have some good musicians out of a crew of 5,000). My son was showing us around on his day off and his chief saw him and put him to work fueling a few jets. He was a Grape ( purple shirt). Once we got out in international water they started the flight operations. ALL the colors started doing their jobs and the jets were launched. They came back by breaking the sound barrier, they dropped 500lb b-ombs in the water and marines rappelled out of hills. So awesome. A day my late dad and I will never forget. This cruise was only for the families of the young men and women that work on top. The rest of the ship’s crew had the weekend off back in Mayport. Every color job on that deck is as vital as it is dangerous and is performed professionally before that plane reaches the yellow shirt for launch.

[@rogerhopson3495]

Should have been Marines rappelled out of Helicopters not HILLS

[@jamesc9001]

Love that. I was on the USS America and USS Constellation from 1988-1992 (VF-33). This video brings back good memories.

[@lilgrease7292]

1973 steering the mighty ship while flight ops.. loved watching these professionals.. 17 yrs old when I arrived on board..👍🇺🇸⚓️

[@sisandvo]

Are you. Dont you miss birth and marriage off board😀

[@maninifarmer1338]

What always impressed me was the kids. They could flip from being a kid to being a man and back in a nanosecond. Off duty they sometimes acted like kids, but on deck totally a man with heavy responsibility. Wish their parents could have seen them, they would be so proud.

[@USNveteran]

The real danger zone is the flight deck itself. Truly the most dangerous job/place in the world. The only thing more impressive than flight ops on the boat is night flight ops on the boat. Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future. FLY NAVY!!!

[@JonathanHallOverAllen]

I worked the Flight Deck on the USS Eisenhower as a PC both day and night shift and almost died a few times and prevented others from getting hurt or dying in return. God Bless you Shipmate.

[@USNveteran]

@@JonathanHallOverAllen Thanks for your support but like you I just did my job. FLY NAVY!!!

[@USNveteran]

Thanks David, many in my family have served as did I (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam). Thanks to all now serving, those who have, and those who will in the future. FLY NAVY!!!

[@JonathanHallOverAllen]

@@USNveteran Shipmate, the best thing I ever did was enlist in the US Navy. I went from being a punk that barely graduated from HS in Kinder, Louisiana to sailing the seas of the Caribbean, the vast North Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Suez, and the Persian Gulf. God has blessed me with the US Navy. FLY NAVY!!!

[@NOSEBLOB]

VA-97 Plane Captain. '75 - '79. CV(A)N 65.

[@boulecoq1700]

I was in the fleet air arm in the Royal Navy. Best job ever.

[@istoa22]

I was always terrified of the propellers. You can’t see them. Also going overboard was a real scare.

[@mikeburke8656]

i had 3 years on the flight deck and like you, the props scared me the most.

[@normferguson2769]

Love to see those old F-14s taking off from the deck! Those were amazing planes.

[@12345fowler]

That's precisely what Tony Scott managed to capture so beautifully in the first Top Gun movie - the deck dances

[@raytranchant9951]

I flew from another conventional Carrier in F-4s and F-14s. Got over 500 landings and only 1 Class A mishap. Still have all of my fingers and toes, and it was better than playing on a Major Leagure Baseball Team (without the big salaries). Outstanding Video and glad you will remember a few days in the life of Aviators and the support they got from the young men on the Flight Deck!

[@JamesW81]

Hi Ray, Can I ask what a Class A mishap is please?

[@mikejacobson14]

The further away in time I get from my youth the more I miss the flight deck. Thanks for the video. More please!

[@DorisVoerster]

This is so amazing. My husband flew off and landed on aircraft carriers during the Vietnam era. I’d never thought about the awesome team on the deck and below that made it happen. What a brave and well trained team. Thank you all for your service 🇺🇸

[@tomtolentino7575]

Ah yess......the flight deck was my office many years ago. USS CORAL SEA CV-43,...USS ENTERPRISE CVN-65, ... USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN CVN-72......USN Retired, 1st Gulf War Veteran. I sure miss the comradery, the adrenaline rush, the port visits 😎😇⚓️⚓️🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇵🇭🇵🇭🇺🇸👍

[@jdean2131]

As a Navy Pilot…..This is an outstanding video. And Mr. Hoffman is correct. Disneyland maybe the happiest place on earth. But the deck of an Aircraft Carrier is the most dangerous place on earth. Nicely Done ✅

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you sir. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@Ever443]

These guys that do this are dead serious professionals, hats off to them

[@blacksquirrel4008]

Very nicely done. I saw another example of workplace ballet when some guys showed up at my house to build a metal garage. After greeting them they asked where I wanted it and, without another word, they commenced to perform what could only be described as ballet. As one laid it out the other prepared the supports, and as each step was done they put the pieces together without a word, if a tool was needed one guy would reach behind him and the tool was placed in his hand. He put up the ladder and climbed up to place the first panel and the panel was set next to him and slid as far the helper could, then he finished and fastened it down. He climbed up and the other panels followed, the ladder taken to the far end. Not a word was spoken the entire time and it flowed like a river. They were done in less than 45 minutes and I tipped them gratefully for the work and the show.

[@NKBobcat]

I was in the Navy from 1975-1981 and worked as an RA-5C Vigilante Plane Captain (brown shirt) at night mostly on the USS Nimitz CVN-68. I was in RVAH-6 and although one of the most dangerous jobs in the world, it was the best time of my life. Thank you for this film!

[@aj-2savage896]

Viggie was the most awesome aircraft to ever take a wire.

[@jrmorrell5034]

@@aj-2savage896 I was on the Nimitz 84-88, cat#2 topside then below decks my last 8 months. Loved it, sometimes.

[@Ever443]

Thank you for your service

[@NKBobcat]

@@Ever443 Thank you!

[@JonathanHallOverAllen]

I was a PC for an EA-6B Squadron and I love your boat.

[@nelitasciretta7101]

So enjoy any video that involves our military services. Even as a veteran, I am always amazed at the things these brave warriors do!!

[@timothysouth5962]

I worked the flight deck as a plane captain with VF-103 aboard USS Saratoga, CV-60 from 1982 1985. I loved it!

[@zanelile8192]

All 18yr old's do not flip burgers. I was a sea going sailor. The guys in this video are well trained and serious in their job.

[@88mike42]

Nothing like the "roof." 5:14...director is talking about the hook on the end of the tiedown chain as it's supposed to be hooked into the pad eye. AFTS, A-6's and F-4's. Loved working up there.

[@kentnordland5034]

I served aboard the USS Randolph and I never had a bad day, never had a bad meal, and if you really have to got to go to sea, go on an aircraft carrier. The most exciting that ever happened to me was when I catapulted off for a family emergency. What a rush! That's about s much fun you can have and still keep your clothes on!

[@kevinriordan1632]

Best line in the clip is, 'I'm not hanging out' as an F-14 traps.

[@kaydenpagano628]

These are the kind of people born to do the worlds hard jobs. Much respect.

[@markg8022]

Motherhood is not the worlds hardest job. These women just like to get fancy presents for Mothers Day. Very distasteful if you ask me.

[@mindblueyez671]

Thank you for doing this! I was always so proud to be a sailors wife, and now I can see what he did. Im beaming with pride right now! He absolutely loved his time in the Navy, and the flight deck aboard CVN 72. His only complaint was missing our young children. USN🇺🇸⚓🇺🇲.

[@theway3058]

Imagine the bond these guys have. Such a heavy job.

[@fredflintstone3956]

AT with VF-24 and VF-211, Ranger and Kittyhawk.. Plenty of roof duty, days and nights. Pay attention boys and girls, because this is where it gets fun!

[@dougdigby765]

Thanks for the Aircraft carrier films. So many well trained professionals looking after the planes. Very good to see them and the planes close up.

[@forkinpig]

Military is an organisation, impressive like no other. Hi-tech, professional, disciplined, adventurous, courageous, what more can constitute near perfection.

[@richborg45]

Great film. I spent a few years up on the flight deck of the USS Carl Vinson, mainly night check (shift) . Best job ever. I'm glad I survived.

[@garymohler4436]

I'm a plank owner of the Carl Vinson 80-84 V-1 Div. Yellow shirt. I generally worked nights 1800-0600

[@Johnwilson-dl9nm]

Enjoyed this film. It doesn't look too much different than when I was a photographer on the flight deck of the USS Hancock CVA - 19 1960-61.

[@BrianRhodes9763]

There is no job in the world like the flight deck, even now when I get a whiff of jet exhaust it brings back so many memories. I worked the flight deck on the USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) the one featured in this film. However, I was with VF-32 and only worked the flight deck during workups as a green shirt from the Airframes and Hydraulics shop. There is nothing like the flight deck dance!!!

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

I totally agree Brian. David Hoffman Filmmaker

[@JK-lt9ip]

1969 Med cruise on USS JFK with VF-32. Worked on flight deck as trouble shooter and final checker. Worked both days and nights.

[@BrianRhodes9763]

@@JK-lt9ip It's always good to meet another Gypsy Swordsmen. I was on the 86'-87' cruise.

[@ckelly6500]

Val, Beatle Bailey, Baker, John Sims. Just a few of the characters in yellow and blue shirts that made up V-1 Div back then. I joined them on Big John in fall of ‘82. Hope you’re all well shipmates.

[@severineg8702]

So impressive. Thank you, Service Members, for all you do. My brother proudly served on USS Forrestal CVA-59 during Vietnam. As a teen, my family and I went on a Family Day cruise off Norfolk. Seeing and feeling, those planes, watching all the Shirts do their work. An amazing day that has stayed with me for 50 years. Bless you all. 🇺🇸🌹

[@chalorodriguez3317]

I understand.. How one bad move can get someone hurt or killed on a flight deck .. I guess a flight crew on a carrier. Is like being out with your marine brothers on a battle field. Your not out there for yourself or your country. Your out their for each other. Too take care of one another. To make it home. Each other is all you have. Much respect. Stay safe out there..

[@lynneedwards3875]

My heart swells with pride❤

[@williamdavidberry8473]

A beautiful video, David. You absolutely captured the most dangerous ballet ever. That's a terribly dangerous job, where flight deck personnel must be ever vigilant not to get blown over the side, sucked into a jet engine, or walk into a spinning propellor blade. I spent a tour on an aircraft carrier in the 1980s (not on the flight deck), where I developed a great admiration and respect for those who work in that demanding environment.

[@greggross8856]

I remember when a carrier returned to NAS North Island from its deployment without having lost a single crewmember. It was big news across the fleet. When they did it TWICE, it was huge. And that was in peacetime...

[@gtc1961]

we always lost a few.....

[@stansova3138]

Usually when a air craft carrier pulls out, the old man calls over the intercom and says "on this cruise most air craft carriers lose several people, so look around at the guy next to you and make sure that you both come home". Thank You and that is all gentleman.

[@alanwackerling8056]

I was in VF-32 in the early 60s on the Saratoga with F8U-2N Crusaders. I was a plane captain, brown shirt, and a flight deck P.O. and worked both day and nights. The key to survival was keeping your head on a swivel and working with a buddy, especially at night. I had a few close calls but never got hurt. It is truly the most dangerous job on a ship but I enjoyed every minute of it.

[@JK-lt9ip]

I was in VF-32 on JFK 1968-71 flightdeck troubleshooter and final checker on F-4B Phantom. Worked days and nights .

[@randomstuffwithnofluff7472]

It's like a rock group...the singer (pilot) gets all the fame and credit, but it's really a group effort from everyone (all the ground crew) to make it all successful.

[@deirdre108]

First thing that came back to me while watching this video was the ever present smell of JP5. Anyone else notice that?

[@chuckhenderson4765]

amazing things done by people still in their 20's

[@ae2yosemitesamvp48]

USN 1967-1971 two WestPacs tours Operation Market Time during VietNam. best job ever.

[@TheHiredGun187]

My father served in the US Navy and was stationed on USS Forrestal (VA-83 Rampagers...AIMD dept) before and after the big fire that nicknamed Forrestal the USS FireTrap. After Forrestal was in DryDock and came out they had "ShakeDown" cruise. The US Navy PR Dept thought it a good idea to make the shakedown a "father and son" type cruise. Forrestal would go out spend 7 days shaking out bugs and us kids had bunks on the hanger decks. That had to have been the coolest experience I had as a "Navy Brat"

[@rlhagemann]

Most exciting job I ever had. Life is boring after experiencing that.

[@gtc1961]

After a while it becomes second nature and you do what you have to do by instinct. The first few weeks are the hardest, trying to figure out how to do your job, be 100% aware of what's going on and not get injured or killed.

[@lohikarhu734]

The shots of the landing, into the arrester gear, really show the violence and power that happen in just a second ! Nice work!

[@Mercyme57]

Wonderful clip…truly remarkable work beautifully observed and filmed. Hats off to the guys involved and all like them. 👊🏼

[@tonyrollman3991]

David their was nothing like it ,the windiest ,fumes that burn your eyes,danger everywhere and still after working in the aviation field for 34yrs those times on the flight deck gave me so much job satisfaction and pride was the greatest thing ive ever done !!!

[@deborahmurchison271]

I spent seven years in the military and 5 years of it on two Carrier flight decks. I was a yellow shirt in V-1 Division ( flight Deck ). I saw a A-7 Corsair grab an arresting gear cable when he landed and then tried to re-take off because the pilot didn’t pay attention the the Flight Deck landing officer who was giving him the signal from the middle of the landing area that he did hook a cable. He ended up ejecting while hanging from the from the port side catwalk. The A-7’s engine was at full throttle and stuck to the side of our carrier, with the exhaust blowing up on to the flight deck. We had to strap the aircraft to the side of the ship, and we placed all the tractors that we use to tow all the aircrafts, and place them directly over the out stretched arresting cable, incase it was to snap. The engine was shut down by a quick burst of a fire hose into the intake. That’s not recommended because it was salt water and causes corrosion to the electrical system, but this was an emergency. We were in South East Asia at the time. We had to return to the Philippines to have a crane offload the aircraft. The pilot was ok and no fight deck personnel were harmed. We returned back Gulf of Tonkin. Just another day at work. It was very exciting, but not a place for daydreaming. Sailors have walked into turning props, because if your not paying attention while walking under and around aircraft, it’s hard to tell what aircraft is running. We also had a young man that was part of a two man firefighting team, get sucked up into a intake of another A-7? The A-7 intake is about 3 feet in diameter and about 3 1/2 feet from the ground. The TAU drive got to close to the intake and firefighter sitting at the rear was simply sucked off the tractor. This particular A-7 had a fuel leak and to use more fuel than you spill. The pilot will increase the throttle to 70 percent. The TAU driver is capable of driving this specialized vehicle under all the aircraft wings to get to fires quickly. Unfortunately the TAU driver was not aware the suction power of the aircraft he was driving in front of. We were all horrified because the young man very well and did not survive. It is the most dangerous job on earth. I’m posting this on my wife’s laptop. Deborah was never in the military.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

amazing thing you witnessed. David Hoffman Filmmaker

[@oldfarmer4700]

I spent a lot of time on the flight deck during flight ops. I seen things that people did that I can’t put to words but was just amazing. At first I was scared to death but after a few months the dance became a profession. I enjoyed what time I was on the roof totally.

[@itgetter9]

I love this movie, Mr. Hoffman! I'm going to share this with my father, who used to fly. He will love it too.

[@warchild1673]

I remember running the JBDs when an f14a went to millitary power (burners) and thinking, this is what a marshmallow must feel like when it's being roasted.

[@marbleman52]

I was in the Navy from 1971-75. I was enlisted and was trained to be an aircraft electrician. After I got to my land based squadron, after 2 electrician schools, I decided that I wanted to stay out on the 'line', where the planes are parked & fueled and launched & recovered and often worked on. That's where all the action was and I wanted to be part of it..!! I trained to become what we called a Plane Captain for the A-3 Skywarrior planes, of which we had four. In the Air Force that job is called a Crew Chief. On a flight deck, the Plane Captain wears a brown shirt. Here I was, a young man of 21, like many of the guys you saw on the flight deck of that Carrier, being responsible for those multi-million $$ planes and the lives of the aircrew inside those planes. Now that is a rush...and an incredible challenge and responsibility...and I loved it, I thrived on it..!! Now of course, launching & recovering planes on land is nothing compared to an active flight deck, but there were still plenty of dangerous situations I had to be aware of and handle. For example, we would take our planes to other bases for 'war games' and exercises for maybe 10 days or so and then return to our home base; which for us was N.A.S., Norfolk, Va. At these bases, there were fueling stations ( we called them the fuel pits ) that were right next to the runway. When our planes would land after an exercise, I and my crew would direct the planes into the fuel pits and while the jet engines were still running, we would hook up the big fuel hose to the plane and refuel them. That was called 'hot refueling'. So here we were, working within an arms length or less from a jet engine intake in the front and the jet exhaust at the rear, and with a pressurized hose of jet fuel getting them gassed up before sending them to the flight line. That was dangerous but exciting. You sure didn't want that hose coming off and start spraying fuel all over the place and maybe getting ignited. Nope, that would not be good..!! So we had to work fast but surely and make sure that the hose connection was done properly. Yep, working with military jets is exhilarating and a challenge and dangerous, but oh, so much fun..!!

[@martinkent2822]

Hi marbleman52. I was in the Air Force from '76-'80 and was stationed at Langley AFB. I was a Crew Chief on F-15s and I loved every minute of it. The tail number on my plane was 4125 and my pilot's name was Cpt Dale Cooke, one of the best pilots in the AF at that time. He went on to fly with the Thunderbirds, later retired and went on to fly commercial jets. The Comradery between the pilots and the Crew Chiefs was what I enjoyed most.

[@marbleman52]

@@martinkent2822 Hello, Martin...good to hear from you. Yes, our pilots and our Plane Captains also had a lot of mutual respect. But that respect got reinforced by a tragedy right after I got to my squadron but before I got to the Line Division. Three of our young pilots were hot-to-trot to go see their girl-friends down at Pensacola and wanted to combine a normal training flight with doing that. The Plane Captain had refused to sign off on the Daily and Pre-Flight inspection due to a problem he found. The pilot signed off on the plane anyway and they were launched. Soon after taking off...I can't remember how soon...they were in trouble. The Starboard wing fuel tank over-pressurized and blew apart, damaging the hydraulic lines to the control surfaces and the plane flipped over. The pilot couldn't get the plane to roll back over and the plane nose dived from 14,000, and angled backwards, and crashed into the ground. Now the A-3's do not have ejection seats but an upper escape hatch and the lower entry door. One of the pilots went out the upper hatch but was slammed against the tail and was killed. another one went out the bottom door but was also slammed against the fuselage and was killed. The pilot stayed with the plane. The impact made a crater 30 feet deep and the impact was so hard that the engines were compressed to about half its original length. From then on, no pilot ever over-rode the lowly enlisted Plane Captain's pre-flight inspection. That was a very hard and tragic way to learn that important lesson.

[@martinkent2822]

@@marbleman52 Man I bet that really sucked.

[@marbleman52]

@@martinkent2822 Yes, it was like losing a family member...took a while for the squadron to get back to normal.

[@sarahkane2166]

I'm currently in the navy and am an aviation tech but I currently work with the line as a plane capt. It's insane to think us E3s have so much responsibility but also I believe we do our job well. I love interacting with the pilots and knowing that we have respect for eachother. Cause without us the jets wouldn't fly and the pilots are grateful that we are there to make sure they and everyone else is safe.

[@gordonbrown5860]

...had the privilege of working the roof on the Kitty Hawk, Constellation, Enterprise, America, Kennedy, Nimitz, IKE, Vinson, Stennis Washington. Once you work the roof, all other jobs are boring! FLY NAVY!

[@timanderson5543]

I lived it as a squadron member and helo aircrewman,i spent about 90% of my time on the flight deck and came home in 1 piece.

[@winskypinsky]

Grand example of not applying Equality of Outcome for a job like this. The BEST person for the job, gets the job. Funny, that old idea, seemed to work. Still does.

[@rumrnr78]

Exactly- See "Revlon" and her tragic accident- probably due to PC bullshite...

[@Birdfarmer862]

ANY non-CV person who posts on YT about Carriers MUST, repeat MUST view Mr. Hoffman’s posts before doing so. He tells it like it is DEEP DOWN. We love him and respect him. He IS our BROTHER!

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you so much Edward. What you have written makes my day. It really matters to me. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@lpd1snipe]

Ex Navy here. Definitely dangerous everywhere aboard a naval ship. Absolutely dangerous on the deck of a "Bird Farm."

[@toddewire13]

man!!! I just stumbled upon this video, remember this all too much thank you so much for making this video man

[@werewolf5674]

Did it for 20 years. The men I ever worked with. No race on the deck. Your all in togethet.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

That was also my experience. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@salvadorrico6636]

I enjoyed this video very much and I sure am glad that, Those men and women are on our side. Thank you too all,for your service to OUR GREAT COUNTRY UNDER ALMIGHTY GOD 👍

[@torn-_shuttle123]

Wow! I commend the filmmaker on this video. This is truly a testament of how Flight Deck personnel operated regarding Catapult and Arresting Gear operations. I understand that these operations were done years ago, but this is how I also remembered how it was correctly done. Thank you!

[@francespotter7556]

Thanks for your service GOD bless 🇺🇸

[@larrys9879]

I was a Aviation Machinist Mate. My sea duty job was on the flight deck. Yes, it’s dangerous on a flight deck, but it isn’t as dangerous as being in a Marine combat unit crawling on your belly in a jungle while being shot at. Navy chow wasn’t bad and a rack is more comfortable to sleep in than the muddy bug and snake infested jungle ground. I made friends with a Marine Lance Corp. He got orders to Viet Nam. He was a machine gunner on a helicopter. He was shot down three times but survived and made it back home to his wife and baby son alive. Like I noted, the flight deck is a dangerous place but nobody is shooting at ya, and that’s the reason I enlisted in the Navy instead of the Marines.

[@dorothy7782]

Thank you so much for this, I try to watch "flight deck crews" every day because it impresses me as to how they all get it done. Again thanks

[@bradmiech5743]

Appreciate your channel, my brother was on the USS Forestall. 1967 accident brings back memories. Thank you David 😊

[@fisherguy719]

I ×as on intrepid 20 miles a×ay that day in july 67. My buddy that enlisted with me survived. Took 4 days to learn he was ok.

[@johnjovi417]

Being an airforce brat never knew how much I love our NAVY

[@darrenlsapp]

I remember recording this film about 1984 from PBS. I watched over and over until I left for boot camp. I was undesignated but ended up on that carrier deck in 1986 and later a yellow shirt on the USS Theodore Roosevelt.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Thank you for that service, Darren. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@shawnp6744]

Why are David Hoffmann video's the best? He let's people talk. Most Navy Sailors love to explain their jobs. 20 years in the Navy. Never on a bird farm. Watched em from small boys and what a experience it is to watch a full cycle. A true ballet.

[@macdaddy5802]

Worked on the flat deck for a year. Uss Saratoga CV 60

[@DonLong-x5p]

Loved the flight deck. You can't explain to people what it's like up there.

[@peterlubbers5947]

Tomcats!!😲...Thanks for showing this to us, talking about a high stress environment..Such a cool clip!👌😎🙏

[@moniquemosley2122]

Passion is an amazing thing. You'll take risks for your talents that you wouldn't do under normal circumstances. Good content, Mr. Hoffman. 😊

[@CoondawgPD]

David, the flight deck was the scariest place I’ve ever been. If you don’t know the mechanics of the movement of people and equipment it is a terrifying place. Great video!

[@kensimmons3356]

Worked the flight decks of Nimitz and Roosevelt from 86 to 89. I miss it sometimes. 12 hour day flies by when you are up there.

[@trplankowner3323]

I remember being tied up next to or near JFK when we first went over to Norfolk. Soon after that we got underway down towards Jax to certify our flight deck crew. The Soviets were building the Kuznetsov-class aircraft carriers and desperately wanted to watch us train the flight deck crew. They sent an Echo class (I think) sub to follow us and try to film the training process. Needless to say, they had no hope of keeping up with a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. The bridge would ring up a flank bell and we would stay on that heading for half an hour or so, then they would reverse either the port or starboard engines and we would make another high speed run for another half hour or so. You see, that old Echo had to submerge to have any chance to not get left too far behind. However, when a sub is submerged and doing more than a few knots, it can't hear a damn thing. Even more so for an Echo class boat. They weren't really a good choice for the task. We'd cut in front of them, then dump our trash and pump out our bilges. You know that had to make a hell of a mess to clean up from the turbulent water flow around their missile tubes. I almost felt bad about it. All things considered, the Soviets probably would have learned more from watching Mr. Hoffman's film.

[@lauraw.1087]

My husband is a retired Navy Flight Surgeon from the Vietnam era. Surprising when they were doing cardiac biometric testing on the fighter pilots flying sorties over North Vietnam, their heart rates and blood pressure were higher landing on the aircraft carrier than avoiding SAMs.

[@Gyphon]

I worked on the flight deck of the USS JFK in 92. Actually if you do a search here with "USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) - 1992 Med Cruise Video" I was onboard during the filming of this. I would never say I was scared working on the flight deck. I would say I was careful. The rules you follow are mostly written in blood. That being said. There is nothing like being in the Adriatic sea in the middle of winter. The upwind side of you covered in snow in a storm... in the middle of the night and still had to launch and recover. Most fun you can have with your clothes on I'd wager. :-)

[@timothycoleman8916]

I was Crash -&- Salvage on the Enterprise. This video brought me back.

[@JackieDaniel-op2xz]

Angels if the sea

[@MrDREWASIDE]

Awesome professionals thanks for filming it sir.

[@louisel.sinniger2057]

I LOVE most videos on aviation. The closest for me (besides flying on planes) was I learned to fly gliders. This stuff is just amazing! I’ve been around military people a lot in my life and I realize especially with this stuff; you have to have your shit together. Thanks

[@MrSpeartip12]

Worked the flight deck as an AE flight deck troubleshooter on 3 carriers. The Connie, Big E and the IKE.

[@kellyford5903]

Just NEED to say…THANK YOU, Flight Deck Crews, for ALL that you do for this - THE SINGLE GREATEST Nation on this Planet 🇺🇸❣️🇺🇸

[@llewstrutt150]

That’s got to be the most seriously badass job ever. Well done seems inadequate but it’s all I’ve got. Great film too.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🇦🇺

[@tm13tube]

The flight deck choreography… impressive.

[@loduk]

This is a beautiful clip. Really glad i found your channel- looking forward to supporting your work.

[@gerardmazzarese9363]

I always thought those guys looked sharp when launching the air wing off the decks of the super-carriers.

[@johnnymoore7206]

in a strange way bin men do that every day too,they are that type of blokes ,just there ain't no civilians on deck,and pound for pound ,training for training ,dollar for dollar,worth for worth ,IT IS CALLED TEAM WORK

[@stansova3138]

I used to work with a Hoffman from NY city, in VS-28, all we could say about him was he had a booming voice.

[@DavidHoffmanFilmmaker]

Not me Stan. My voice doesn't boom and I don't know what VS=28 is. David Hoffman filmmaker

[@jeffhoward9186]

I know exactly what he is saying. I was a final checker on the America, Independence, Lincoln, and Kitty Hawk.

[@JamesW81]

Enjoyed that David, big Tomcat fan. A snapshot into the past as well as an insight into carrier ops.

[@napoliansolo7865]

One of my favorite 'ballerinos' was a guy in WWII that worked a carrier flight deck. I couldn't ever catch his name, but it seemed like he always wore a white hat and white gloves. I don't know what they were called but they did the job of a meatball today. He was easy to tell apart from other meatballs cause he was very graphic in his mannerisms. Nodding his head and using gestures that were easy to understand. If you know anything about him, I would like to know. I thought he was pretty cool.