Posted on Dec 5, 2014
Capt Brandon Charters
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I've always had a very high level of respect for Naval Aviators, but this video just piles onto what I already believed to be true: You takeoff and land on ledges shorter than my front porch all while this runway moves in 50knot winds.

Takes a lot of courage and tireless dedication to do what these aviators do. I'd love to hear from anyone in the flying community (any service branch) or aircraft operations world that has a full appreciation for how difficult this job really is. Would be great to also hear some unique challenges that were overcome along the way.
How was this career path? Where did you start? Where did you end up? Was it anything like you expected?
Posted in these groups: Bc83aa9e Naval AviatorSpyplane AviationNavy Navy
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Responses: 10
SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS
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Capt Brandon Charters I have always been amazed with Naval Aviators. Taking off and landing from a runaway that moves up, down, right, left, and in between often at night. That must require incredible skill.

RESPECT, to borrow from SFC Mark Merino
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Capt Brandon Charters
Capt Brandon Charters
11 y
First time flying solo and taking off from a ship has to be quite the thrill.
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Lt Col Skip Fleshman
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It's almost as fun as flying an F16!
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MAJ Raymond Haynes
MAJ Raymond Haynes
>1 y
Give me a break, Naval Air rules all clubs, at all times. We would drag in all covered in sweat and Hyd. fluid about the same time you guys were ironing those things around your neck. By the end of the night, we had all the broads at our table and you guys went home in flames wrapping your scarf around something else.
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SFC Mark Merino
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And I thought 80 knots buzzing the Iraq desert floor was a treat. That was awesome!
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Naval Aviators, a whole new level of respect.
Capt Richard I P.
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"That's right...Ice-Man.... I am dangerous!"
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SGT Kyle Taylor
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That was AWESOME!!
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Capt Brandon Charters
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Ariel Garneau - Thanks for pointing this video out to me!
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CPT Aaron Kletzing
CPT Aaron Kletzing
11 y
Who else thinks it would be cool to be able to auto-play videos here in our RallyPoint news feed?  I would have loved to see this video play for me when I first saw this in my feed, or at least had the chance to click play and watch it directly in my feed.  
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Capt Brandon Charters
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CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter
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When Naval Aviators go to sea there balls turn to brass
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MAJ Raymond Haynes
MAJ Raymond Haynes
>1 y
Flare to land...Squat to pee, baby.
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SFC Mark Merino
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I think Van Hagar had the best recruiting tool for the Navy. Great song and a great video FLY NAVY!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsXCs41DkWs
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MSgt Bj Jones
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I believe my brother, CDR Paul Triponey, USN (Ret), would appreciate Capt Brandon Charter's comments here. He was a Naval Aviator as well as a Flight Instructor. He currently works for Stat MEDIVAC in PA. One of his moments that caused some anxiety was when he crashed into the Mediterranean when making a landing on a Navy Ship (not sure the name of the vessel). It's incredible that not only do Navy pilots fly on and off ships, but that the Navy has crew chiefs and specialists (Airmen) who Marshall those airplanes in on such a short runway while the ship is afloat. Here, folks thought the runways of Lajes Field and Diego Garcia were small.
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Capt Brandon Charters
Capt Brandon Charters
11 y
Thanks for sharing MSgt Bj Jones I have nothing but the highest respect for your brother and all the technicians who maintain and marshal these aircraft in. Takes a lot of courage to be on that deck in the thick of such a closely coordinated operation.
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MSgt Bj Jones
MSgt Bj Jones
11 y
Thank you, Capt Charters. I'll have to find the write-up my nephew, Matt (Paul's oldest) did for a local newspaper. He mentions some of the places and types of ships Paul flew on and off of. I have a lot of respect for the Navy as well being a Navy brat. Yes, I'd probably be terrified up on deck with a jet headed towards me and the ship rocking. I don't know how my Dad and stepdad and grandfather ever managed careers in the Navy on ships and boats (submarines).
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PO1 Chris Morrow
PO1 Chris Morrow
>1 y
Pardon the weird wording, but I cant think of a better way to explain what happens on an Aircraft Carrier during Flight Operations. It is simply a lightly organized, random, orchestrated chaos with 300 people, 40 aircraft of 5 to 8 different flavors (F/A-18, E2-C, C-2A, H-60, EA-6B, years ago also had F-14, S-3, H-53, and more), tractors and others equipment in a very tight area of only about 1000ft by 150 ft. You cannot lose focus on what is going on around you, or you will end up in the water. With all that said, I couldn't get enough of it. I loved every minute being on the flight deck during operations. What a rush.
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PO1 Chris Morrow
PO1 Chris Morrow
>1 y
Oh, all the while, you cant hear a single thing, there is simply too much noise. This is why the Navy Aviation world has and relies on its hand signals for communication between maintainers, aircrew, directors, re-fuelers, deck handlers, etc.
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SPC Mike Davis
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Flew mail in Wyo some years back. Taking off from a runway that suddenly falls away right after rotation and goes completely black . Gives one a very high appreciation for those guys who do it from carriers in a rolling sea. My highest respect to naval aviators....
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