I was stationed at a Naval Air Station in Agana, Guam, and served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk. I often share stories about my Naval career during presentations and lectures. I have dared to share some of these adventures in this book. Between a Rock and a Hard Place I served on the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Kitty Hawk on the flight deck as an aircraft director, or Yellow Shirt. Yellow Shirts are the Rulers of the Flight Deck, because it is our job to move multimillion dollar aircraft around the flight deck without running over people, without running into other aircraft, and without blowing anyone overboard.
Aircraft landing on carriers have a tail hook that is extended prior to landing.
The hook catches one of four cables stretched across the flight deck, bringing the aircraft to a full stop within a short distance. Pilots landing on carriers are instructed to apply full power after touchdown in case they miss the landing cable. If the pilot catches the gear, he reduces power immediately. When the aircraft does land at about 120 mph and takes a cable, it comes to a complete stop within about 100 feet. At that time, a Yellow Shirt called a hook runner moves into the landing area into the pilot s view, instructs him with hand signals to raise his tail hook and directs him out of the landing area so another aircraft directly behind him can land.