Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Matthew Fairchild | NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (March 2, 2017)-- Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson...... read more read more
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Anyone who has observed flight deck operations on an aircraft carrier will instantly notice the collection of colors worn by personnel to specify their job. After watching how the flight deck operates for a while, the distinctions are clear that the system works.
“The different colored jerseys are important because it assigns roles and responsibilities to personnel,” says Aviation Support Equipment Technician 1st Class Chanelle Jordan, a member of the ship’s aircraft intermediate maintenance department. “We’re all a team here for one mission. No matter what the evolution, those involved have specific, clearly-defined roles, and are easily recognizable by the color of their jerseys.”
There are seven different colored jerseys aboard Ford. Yellow jerseys are “handlers” responsible for the directing of aircraft as well as the safety of all personnel during flight operations. Blue jerseys are plane handlers who also operate the aircraft elevators and drive the tractors which move aircraft. Purple jerseys are “grapes” responsible for the safe and quick refueling of aircraft on the flight deck and in the hangar bay. White jerseys are typically safety and medical personnel as well as Landing Signal Officers. Green jerseys are responsible for the maintenance and operation of the ship’s arresting gears and catapults. Other personnel wearing green jerseys include photographers, ground support equipment troubleshooters, and helicopter landing signal enlisted personnel. Brown jerseys are “plane captains” responsible for the cleanliness and general condition of their aircraft as well as ensuring the aircraft are inspected and properly serviced before and after each flight. Red jerseys are typically responsible for moving, loading, and unloading ordnance on and off aircraft. They can also be part of the “crash and salvage” team who are the first responders to a fire on the flight deck.
“When communication is limited and we have to work in so many adverse conditions, safety is always our biggest concern,” says Logistics Specialist 1st Class Kimberly Tatum, a member of the ship’s safety department. “Different colored jerseys help us identify who needs to be where and who is accountable for certain roles and their equipment.”
Different colored jerseys are used to identify personnel on the flight decks of aircraft carriers due to lessons learned from the past. The different ratings have been organized in order to efficiently carry out day-to-day and flight operations. Each rating has had to train and wear a particular colored jersey, and they have established their own sense of pride within their community.
“I’m very proud of what I do and also the people I work with,” says Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class Dawntrell Rasberry, a member of Ford’s weapons department. “We all have a sense of pride within our own jobs and we rally behind our colors. It sets us apart from others, and we like that, but we’re all doing the same mission. Teamwork is what it’s all about.”
As flight operations have evolved over the decades, new positions, responsibilities, and equipment have been added to existing regulations. The basics of the color-coded uniform system remains unchanged, as it has proven to be so vital to an aircraft carrier’s success.
| Date Taken: | 10.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 11.13.2017 10:30 |
| Story ID: | 255096 |
| Location: | AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 916 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, The Colors of the Flight Deck, by CPO Ruben Reed, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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