Dangerous Navy Jobs - Catapult Centerdeck Operator

Get ready to dive into the heart-pounding world of catapult launches!
Meet the Catapult Centerdeck Operator, the unsung hero ensuring flawless communication with catapult control. They relay crucial aircraft information: type, gross weight, and side number, all while working alongside the Catapult Officer, the master of precision. Together, they select the perfect Capacity Selector Valve (CSV) settings, a high-stakes decision that varies for each aircraft based on weight and the ever-changing wind conditions on the deck. It's a thrilling dance of technology and skill, where split-second choices can mean the difference between flight or fall. Join us for a deep dive into this high-octane world!
There are suspends on the 2nd and 3rd bird (which is why the 2nd bird gets spun off). The reason why they suspended launches is/was a mystery to me - its a different job and paygrade to make those kinds of decisions sometimes.
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#FlightDeckLife

[@mrkrakychen5325]

nobody: my friends mic during online class:

[@giveherheadnotheadaches]

Bro my one teachers mic literally sound like a m1a2 not even exaggeting

[@FlightDeckLife]

A+ comment

[@dravon2955]

relateble

[@zuccx99]

@@giveherheadnotheadaches vacuum mic gang

[@anoka42852]

Kraky N Eunice i love this comment so much

[@Slikk0201]

No one: My ps4 in the middle of the night:

[@aaronjackson9603]

cruise.by. bran felt that

[@zovgmo3457]

Congrats, you have a PS-18

[@ofish3582]

haha what kind of loser plays gaystation amarite

[@phreak761]

@@ofish3582 Only the biggest losers.

[@ionicabanea6025]

Omfg shut up Ik the feeling

[@mfd78]

5 billon dollar CVN’s entire mission of safely launching aircraft hinges on information kept in a tattered 3 ring binder on the flight deck.

[@TomE74]

Replace it with what then? An iPad? Nope, those break. That boat is 40 years old, that 3 ring binder has worked for ALL OF THEM. If your precious iPad were to break the flight deck operations come to a halt... so yea 5 b CVN flight decks operation (only 1 thing out of the 30-40 working parts of a flight deck btw) is controlled by a 3 ring binder...

[@mfd78]

Tom Warren did I say somewhere that it should be replaced? Obviously, there is a need to keep it simple, otherwise they wouldn’t be running the ouija board the way they do.

[@barryg41]

It's so obvious, but you still posted your pos post.

[@mfd78]

Not sure what this means. What is so obvious? Sorry if you were offended by my observation. Merry Christmas!

[@wabuchanan]

@@mfd78 No one seems to understand the irony in your factual post. A 5b high tech airport, and it is best served and run by a tattered 3 ring binder. Marrying old and new tech. They just don't get it LOL! I enjoyed your comment.

[@basshalbae7306]

He is definately in the ‘Danger zone.’

[@maxt5819]

100% The wings come so close to his head.

[@reachx817]

Nice one

[@felix_five]

Not as dangerous as Kenny Loggins beard.

[@daanishabduldayanshaikh1861]

It's a she

[@jdexposure]

Phrasing...Anyone?

[@kevintucker3983]

They use paper and binders because they never run out of batteries.

[@willokeefe1135]

They also get completely destroyed when dropped in, oh I don’t know, water?

[@TwoPlusTwoEqualsFive32]

@@willokeefe1135 There is waterproof paper many militaries use, write in the rain is the biggest supplier of this to militaries.

[@willokeefe1135]

Hindsight well there you go, the more you know. Still though, I can’t imagine that something that can be misplaced so easily would be more effective than an electronic alternative. Power generally isn’t an issue that the hundreds of other electronic equipment on board a ship use

[@willokeefe1135]

Hindsight I’d also just like to say that my comment was more in the spirit of ‘ok boomer’ than any kind of factual correcting

[@unholyprognosis2636]

@@willokeefe1135 anyone who uses "ok boomer" is a moron

[@Edwardo4953]

When you upload videos like these. You should put subtitles explaining what is going on. But other than that, this is one badass video.

[@killman369547]

the gist of what's going on is he's making sure there is clear 2-way communication between the catapult officer and catapult control so that the correct power setting for a given aircraft type and weight is chosen.

[@christianrosa1120]

He clearly explains its a different job

[@markburkley42]

catapult officer (dressed yellow) gives hand signals below his waist for the deck crew - signals above his head are for the pilot - he is looking for "thumbs up" from the crew and pilot before signaling to the catapult launch crewman (who has his arms raised telling the cat officer he is ready to launch and is clear of the launch button) by touching the deck that it is okay to activate the catapult

[@mashnjo8271]

Thanks mark and soloworrior for explaining this.

[@ethanroberts3275]

Lil Knee Grow he probably used his phone or something or tri pod. If he had laptop 💻 he could probably edit out what’s going on

[@s70driver2005]

My job on the ship, USS Enterprise CVN-65, was as a Machinist Mate in the Catapult shop. I supplied the steam, from the reactors, to the catapults through a maze of pipes and valves and other systems. The steam you see is a result of over 600psi and 600 degree steam being pumped through a valve the size of a small car just under the point where the plane is hooked up to. It was a interesting job and one that could've proved fatal if steam decided it wanted to exit the pipes or valves at a high rate of speed. Also the average work space temp was about 115F. -Thanks for a cool video. MM2 Martinez Edit - thanks for all the input y'all.

[@fred.wright]

s70driver2005 thanks for your service

[@fastboy5557]

My father was a Gunner's Mate 2nd Class aboard the USS Enterprise, he was there during it's first refuel.

[@rochesmtb]

s70driver2005 pretty epic

[@msp.spottin6466]

s70driver2005 ever heard of the podcast zeroBlogThirty? If you haven’t they are doing a cool thing called career day, and every podcast they feature somone who doesn’t have the most common jobs, I think a few people wold be excited to hear about your job.

[@Fastjules6]

Thank you for your service, and also have u ever heard of a game called azur lane?

[@NIKONGUY1960]

Worked with a guy years ago who worked on a flight deck. He said you'll never hear all the stories because they remain hidden from the public.

[@billybull7419]

Ok

[@Pinkerton-sh7ns]

Was on Gmod with a dude that worked on flight decks, can confrim.

[@Pinkerton-sh7ns]

One of the stories was how a dude was a little to close to a prop and ended up as mincemeat.

[@chridkringle]

Pinkerton 3301 ah yes. The most reliable source, gmod players.

[@ChrispyLink]

@@chridkringle Everyone plays games my guy

[@abysmal-mourning]

0:48 my laptop fan when I open two google chrome tabs

[@onepointgaming4457]

The school laptop when you simply log in

[@MrSixstring2k]

Good old pen and paper never lets you down.

[@ritwikreddy5670]

They are reliable but very easy to lose or get damaged.

[@williamlee6249]

MrSixstring2k throw it a couple yards off the edge, and let’s see how reliable it is

[@HazraPanda]

@@williamlee6249 A circuit bord and SSD wont survive that ither?

[@lucam2167]

anyone thought it was an aircraft cockpit at first glance?

[@docnathan3959]

Yes, me.

[@inconspicuoussalad7730]

Yeah I was thinking "that's one small ass plane"

[@souleater9574]

Luca M no they ave so many gauges and switches and screens

[@drewskeyxx1634]

no

[@nighthawk9905]

Yea at first I thought he was in a little bubble of glass

[@prometheus8010]

You should have a GoPro on the back of your head to see how close the aircraft gets

[@Mako_Marshmallow]

You mean a gopro 360?

[@daanishabduldayanshaikh1861]

WHY is this recommended to me now?! After 2 years

[@kaaskop5859]

Aha

[@mtyhntr49]

Because we're all in this together and so bored. Lol but dammit, took me down a surreal memory lane. Was fun sailing on that ship. Great memories

[@oatlord]

Just enjoy it

[@askamikaze3936]

good to know

[@thatonefriend4829]

Lol me too

[@callumdoyle1798]

Them: top gun Me: the boat says 69 :D

[@Centenario-2]

nice.

[@Burhanontheranch]

It was Eisenhower's favorite position.

[@shaungreer3350]

Nice.

[@ruskiius8392]

Nice.

[@nikel-]

Nice

[@Bobbtherobber]

You are doing an amazing Job. Thx for sharing your efforts

[@user-sn8qh9xo1x]

thank you man for this beautiful that you let us see with out music and other haten thing that alot of video maker do THANK YOU BRO

[@barryg41]

Merry Christmas to you guys! Be safe! Thank you for protecting us here at home.

[@Larwenful]

Thanks for posting and wishing you and your shipmates a Merry Christmas

[@prometheus8010]

Military: builds billion dollar ships and aircraft Also Military: let's just record stuff in an old ratty 3 ring binder that might have some pages fall out of it.

[@reviewsbyyou7231]

This was already said

[@achtungbaby91u26]

@@reviewsbyyou7231 but not for 2 years!

[@ScottPC]

Nice copy and paste from a 2 year old comment lol

[@lucabloor1086]

Don’t you just love KZbin recommended. The fact that we’re all here at the same time and that all the comments are either 2 years ago or in the last 24 hours😂

[@jimmarbalansag5681]

@@lucabloor1086 Damn right

[@KC_FlightChief]

This takes me back to my FSX days of carrier take offs/landings.

[@binksterb]

Arresting cables may be the worst on a carrier, heard too many stories, although that is right up there. Let's not forget the heat off the decks as well. Great video unsung hero's

[@christianrosa1120]

10:12 cat walks = best sleep ever during helo breaks

[@MinerHoboJo]

Lol nah it usually smelt like piss in the catwalks from night check being to lazy to walk to The heads aft 0-3level

[@TypeRyRy]

I know they get used to it, but it's got to be crazy thinking that you're sitting almost in FRONT of a 20 ton projectile, going from a dead stop to 100mph in less than 2 seconds. It's crazy how much thought is put into this. I have so much respect to the men and women that handle flight deck operations.

[@Wolveten]

Great video, I can practically smell the deck watching this video! I really like the footage at the end where your walking back to the shop, lol, and no, I'm not being sarcastic!

[@ArashiKageTaro]

Wootang Clan Love the smell of JP5 in the morning!

[@KutWrite]

Yeah, Wootang, I wanted to see the walk all the way back. I got the feeling the PO recording this was female.

[@GUnit2214]

Best damn view in the office. I wish my desk looked like that. Kick-Ass job!

[@daanishabduldayanshaikh1861]

Will see you after 2-3 years when this will again be on everyone's recommendations

[@charlolel]

See ya

[@ZacharySim2001]

Until then friends

[@temptation6006]

Bye

[@blastermaster2383]

Looks awesome.Love to be on the deck with these guys.Mad video.

[@docnathan3959]

Fun fact: this appeared in your recommendations and you decided to watch it out of curiosity

[@RealJaybeeMusic]

you know me well random stranger

[@GokuBlackThatIsBlack]

Fun fact I’ve been watching videos like this for the past 5 hours

[@americanstriper8666]

That steam after launch makes those crew look tough... Like the "dramatic heroes" you see in action movies but real

[@ArashiKageTaro]

I wish we had GoPros back when I was deployed aboard the USS Saipan (LHA-2). We got to witness some cool shit, like being one of very few yellow shirts to rock NODs for night ops. One time back in ‘01 or ‘02, we had a few SEALs and what I can only assume were Recon Marines doing some “pretend assaults” on the stern, fast-roping, helos doing some insane flying, and Cobras letting off their guns (tracers) into the water. It was cool to see it all unfold under night vision! Sadly, I never got a chance to serve aboard a carrier :/

[@c.j.t1061]

These are awesome videos. The silent communication between deck crew is bewildering, but have done something similar, you can begin to piece it together. BTW that is my dream job. But being for a country that doesn't have these type of aircraft carriers, no chance.

[@captainusopp4395]

8:00 red jacket ✨✨✨✨💫💫

[@javi6898]

What does it mean?

[@copterhelibevibin2785]

So what?

[@captainusopp4395]

@@copterhelibevibin2785 I like it

[@kevinriordan1632]

I watch this type of video here often as I am still addicted to NAVAIR. When I do watch and see the sea of some version of an F/A-18, all I think about is how much I miss the F-14D Tomcats as they where just bad ass and impressive as all hell to observe. Until one turned on you and you didn't notice, then.... not so much. In those days air wing consisted of two F/A-18C squadrons, two F-14D squadrons, one E/A-6B squadron, one S-3B squadron, one A-6E squadron, one E-2C squadron and of course helo squadron. Former VFA-136 AE troubleshooter

[@Tapp.dergon]

Thanks for what you do! =)

[@DynamikzTheReal]

It must feel crazy having te jets launch right over your head Great stuff!

[@andy1may]

Great video thanks enjoy watching from New Zealand .Must be a shit of a job sitting there on a wet day thou

[@stevegibson2255]

I guess the moral to the story is.. don't raise your head up too early . Nice video . Videos like these make me want to watch more

[@vincent2961]

It's a FlightDeckLife for us

[@ericscottstevens]

While I was in the Army in an armor battalion I supported the M1A1 tanks. I had two jobs In carrier code, I was a red shirt (ordinance and tank rounds) and purple shirt (JP-8 fuel). If you were around the front the tank you made sure you had eye contact with the driver. If you were in the rear you stayed away from the main drive sprockets and the heat exhaust. We never used hand signals but it would have been a smart idea.

[@butchblakesley6239]

did all that safety shit benefit u later ? thx fer yer svc (from a squid)

[@bertcanepa5651]

@@butchblakesley6239 Builds "situational awareness" without which you would probably die.

[@bombud1]

First Tank! 19k

[@mtyhntr49]

Oh my god, I was on that ship very first shake down cruise. Attached to VA-34 Blueblasters. We broke that ship in brand new. Came off the John F. Kennedy CV67. Memories and stories for life, God bless all of you. Shes a great ship.

[@stealth627]

I wish I knew about this career when I was in hs. Pretty cool stuff!

[@emmie3028]

I LOVE watching your video

[@txav8tion]

very interesting. good stuff!

[@wyattkurth1365]

That job actually kinda looks cool

[@billforse6540]

Great video thanks 👍

[@mymx5az]

An uncle of mine was an Annapolis grad and a Navy pilot. He later became a pilot for United Airlines 747. His route was LA to Singapore to Sydney to LA. Every 6 months he had mandatory flight simulator classes. One time while he was in a flight simulator he had a massive heart attack and died on the spot. He was 54 years old.

[@colinmontgomery1956]

What was your uncle's name?

[@heelsfantim]

Freaking awesome!!!

[@UKAviationMovies]

Utterly amazing to see. I’d love to spend a few hours in that seat 😲

[@ALSPEHEIR]

Man, it must be hell when is windy and rainy...

[@wasted3250]

5:18 Nice dodge

[@bobkoski3964]

I like Ike! Cat 1 Cat Captain, V-2 Maintenance, '80 - '84....

[@richardrybarczyk5522]

Awesome video

[@edwardkenway148]

Damn this is so cool

[@unityagar7385]

My computer running 50 tabs: My computer running running Skyrim with 10 mods:

[@JoeJohn777]

First time that i see such things!

[@KillerPojo12]

this is badass. do it boys.

[@tysonjames2723]

"Where did I leave the key to the center pit again?"

[@anthonybush607]

What a view!

[@michaelchristensen6884]

Only time this job is any real danger is if the launch bar breaks or disengages on the launch. I was a plane captain and final checker.

[@davidallen8503]

It's been more than a few years (late 70's early 80's), but I can't remember a time when we had more than one suspended launch in a single cycle. We've had birds go down on the cat, but the line techs usually catch things before tension is taken and the bird is turning. We were launching Phantoms, Corsairs, Intruders and then eventually Tomcats. Are Hornets maintenance headaches?

[@moonshifter0]

This person must have one of the biggest responsibilities on this whole CVN.

[@pepsidoggo1598]

*CVN

[@series25a]

CVN cuz its nuclear.

[@moonshifter0]

Alright, I'll change it to CVN.

[@KutWrite]

Everyone has huge responsibilities on a ship.

[@joshuavoss4354]

I think biggest responsibility in terms of dollars of damage dealt when things go wrong is the nuke div. If an RO fucks up bad enough, it can put the whole ship out of commission. Even moreso on a boat where losing propulsion can mean death of all crew and loss of boat. If an Airedale fucks up, it's a plane and a life if the pilot doesn't eject in time. Certainly not to say that the Airedale job isn't important. Definitely a critical job for flight ops.

[@martineec1856]

1:40 looks left: nice

[@HorizonSniper__]

*S I X T Y* *N I N E*

[@user-gs7ni1jj6g]

Nice.

[@daveblevins3322]

Awesome 👍😎

[@DESTROYYER5671]

This is the most badass shit I’ve seen today

[@jillgill6616]

You shooters are totally 😎 awesome

[@MIckveli2]

just becareful out there boss !

[@eugenew4665]

HIGHWAY TO THE DANGERZ,,,,,,,,,,OH YOU GET IT

[@Ezox2408]

always upvote archer

[@Sir-R2D2]

LANAAAAAAAAAAA

[@0x777]

Paper and binders have one key advantage over pads: They can't run out of power, and they are guaranteed bug-free. Plus, no supply-side attacks possible, 'cause even if it's made in China...

[@williamcoe9200]

Every job on the flight deck is dangerous. I did 4 deployments on the Saratoga in the 70s and 80s..I loved it on the flight deck..I was the Fuels QA supervisor in my division.just remember this...keep your head on swivel and no horseplay...and also keep an eye for your shipmates up there also

[@alexford4561]

This sounds exactly like my mic on Friday’s. But every other day it’s fine lol

[@mrsimo7144]

Does it take this long to send those jets? Thanks for the upload.

[@fondestdiamond]

Man I wish I could see what the latch looked like brand new

[@privatevoidnoname7421]

I have so many questions I don't even know where should I start lol

[@ImprudentTV]

Bruh, this is what I hear from my teammates while I’m listening for footsteps in CoD.

[@daniellofgren6577]

I had no idea they kept manual notes with loose papers on flightdeck 😲

[@Lacara4d]

Nice

[@WarInHD]

My uncle was a yellow vest on the USS Enterprise during Vietnam

[@g_koepp]

This needs more views than it has

[@FlightDeckLife]

We agree.

[@goodluck6948]

@@FlightDeckLife Me too.

[@user-ov1bq3gl4q]

1-05 scarry cool good job

[@user-um3bq1rx9m]

You surface guys are crazy.

[@kjstars]

Nice office.

[@SuperPhunThyme9]

9:40. they probably ought to have you guys lock more than just the one latch....at least when you aren't in a hurry (that middle one either needs greasing btw, or the seal needs to be cleaned so the door closes better....it would save you time in the end)

[@kimarykorlumiose7728]

aircraft carrier CVN-69. nice.

[@saadqureshi7127]

A lot better than working at a boring 9-5 hr job at a medical office. Man it is boring af working there. Wish I was next to fighter jets or even flying them. Imagine getting paid to fly a fighter jet.

[@DriftfishCo]

I'd be interested to know whether they still have this center deck "pit" on newer carriers? It seems like a really unsafe location from a layman's perspective.

[@ElixirOfEuphoria]

Was wondering the same thing, whu is it smack dab in the middle, could he not be somewhere else and interface with the catapault farther away from the planes?

[@cmac9029]

I believe the newer ones have a little “bubble” that rises up from the flight deck, it looks like the top of a control tower at a airport honestly

[@yxeaviationphotog]

Newer carriers still have the center-deck position on the waist. That person and the Shooter will work from here on the flightdeck, or from inside the control bubble, on the edge of the deck, beside Cat 4.

[@jangusstoneround]

@@ElixirOfEuphoria I could really go into detail about how centerdeck actually works but that would be to boring but in summary it's in the middle because he coordinates for both catapults and tbh that's the best place for it to be so he has direct communication with Shooter(yellow) which gives Him the weight of the aircraft and other things

[@jangusstoneround]

@@cmac9029 and your right about the bubble but it's on all carriers it's another way of firing the catapult a catapult officer and a bubble operator control it the centerdeck position is still there for coordination between everything

[@79mjm79]

**Ship number 69** Nice.

[@hi...9019]

Nice

[@KutWrite]

I'll bet there was a debate somewhere in DC as to whether to skip number 69 or not.

[@HorizonSniper__]

Oh, mah.

[@weedfreer]

Is it the best idea to leave flight deck accoutrements loose on the side of the deck like that? I know it’s heavy and whatnot but what’s the chances of a freak set of circumstances whereby it ends up in an intake? Also, surely getting used to leaving it there may result in the same happening when under fire possibly resulting in it being knocked over the side resulting in delays getting back to full operational capability once again

[@brnt8251]

I’m surprised the aircraft carrier handled his massive balls of steel

[@joshnc101]

I wonder if this specific job and placement on the deck is the same on the new Ford Class carriers with the EMALS

[@plankton8864]

anxiety thats all i felt when the planes wing flew over his head.

[@brandonconley1258]

It’s like the EMP mission on GTA Pacific standard

[@vibeauxssxuaebiv3489]

Shit like this makes me want to work on a carrier, although as an A&P I'd prefer to be working on the birds below.

[@JJANDONE]

1:04 ok strider one you are clear for take off

[@stylishniggachannel4763]

You have to get the duck,duck goose game seriously

[@Raul1Silva]

So who gives the final ok for the jet to take off?

[@Excludos]

How far is it really between you and the wing? If you forget to duck, does your height get shortened by a head, or does the video make it look closer than it really is?

[@ZizzyY58]

It’s crazy how big jets really are like on videos they don’t look to big but in person there huge

[@jelle2306]

Looks cool and all but a question...wheres the danger is it the wings that can hit you?

[@EunectesV1]

Have you ever hit your hand on the flap/wing?