Coordination Onboard an Aircraft Carrier Flight Deck

A McDonnell-Douglas (now Boeing) T-45C Goshawk training jet is pushed into position onboard the USS Harry S. Truman in June 2012. Used in part for carrier qualifications, in which US Navy pilots become qualified to operate from and to aircraft carriers, the T-45 is an advanced jet trainer, typically serving as the final step before graduating to tactical jets such as the F/A-18 Hornet.

This unique photo, shot by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Anthony Presley, illustrates some of the various deck handlers on the carrier deck, identifiable by their unique colors. Each color corresponds to a specific duty: blue shirts operate motorized equipment such as tractors and elevators, and secure aircraft to the flight deck.

Green shirts operate and maintain launch and recovery equipment, such as catapults and arresting gear. Aircraft directors wearing yellow shirts are responsible for the safe movement of aircraft on the flight deck and in the hangar bay. Plane captains wearing brown shirts are responsible for individual aircraft and handle pre- and post-flight preparation.

Not pictured in this photo are red-shirted ordnance crew who handle all bombs and missiles, as well as firefighting, rescue, and salvage operations, as well as purple-shirted “grapes” responsible for aircraft fueling.