Seeing as this video has blown up in recent days and received far more views than I anticipated I wanted to clear a few things up I see in a lot of comments: 1. The deck crew is not “slow.” A carrier operates in cycles. That is scheduled launch times and recovery times. Typically the Hawkeye is the first launch on a cycle. We get lined up on the cat early so that we can launch often down to the second as scheduled. What you can’t see in this video is the conga line of jets lined up behind us as well as in the waist catapults ready to launch approximately every 60 seconds once the cycle begins. You even hear me remark just before launch that they put us into tension about a minute early. 2. The audio takes a significant quality hit between being recorded on an iPhone and then processed into video editing software. It doesn’t sound nearly as bad in the actual helmet speakers. 3. There are numerous radio frequencies intentionally not recorded and excluded from this audio. Often times a crew member is responding on ICS to something they heard on one of the radios making their statement seem strange without context to viewers of this video. If a crew member is expressing their frustration, for example, it is NOT directed at the flight deck crew but rather to radio calls that we hear in our helmets. 4. Keep in mind there are 5 of us in the aircraft. Up front it may seem like we’re giving a running commentary of things that may seem obvious. That’s because they’re not obvious to the three crew members in the aft portion of the aircraft who have little outside visibility (especially when the wings are folded). We give a play-by-play so everyone in the crew is always aware of where we are on the flight deck and how far along in the launch process we are.

“I don’t know anything about boats. I just know what a carrier looks like.” A Navy man who keeps it simple and focussed.

I made three cruises on the America, CV 66, 1975 - 1978. Fifty or so of us lived in the “49” compartment, port side right about at the water line well forward. Pretty small space but we were at home. You work 12 hours a day, 7 to 7 and shift from nights to days or vice versa when you leave a port. Long lines for meals, midrats for the guys on nights, short “navy showers”, I loved the food but a lot of guys hated it, I was fortunate to be an enlisted aircrewman in the E2-C as an AT2 so I flew most days/nights. Pretty tough for married guys but being single I loved it. When you’re 21 or 22 you don’t realize what an amazing adventure it is to live and work on an aircraft carrier for seven months at a time, but as the years go by it dawns on you that selling insurance or working in a bank or whatever boring time consuming bill paying occupation you find yourself in is nothing , absolutely nothing, compared to the days of your youth when you sailed the seas and saw the world and worked on amazing airplanes and flew on and off an aircraft carrier hundreds of times and didn’t have a worry in the world.

I love the running commentary about what the shooter is doing "given' him the salute, he's looking around, he's looking at *something* pressure, he's looking aft, he's looking back at us, he's touched the deck, he's looking forward" and then of course "OH YEAH....REAL GOOD!" I appreciate you keeping the folks in the back informed as my daughter hopes to serve an an E-2 NFO later this year!

I was part of the E2C design team at Grumman in the 60s

“I know nothing about boats; know what a carrier looks like” cracked me up. Great vid.

It's amazing hearing their thought process. When launching from the cat "OK, he's looking aft, and now he's looking back at us". Brilliant stuff. Total respect for these guys.

The POV of the acceleration at 7:34 is impressive.

“That’s a cruiser”, “I don’t know anything about boats, I know what a carrier looks like. “ 😂😂

In all of my KZfaq watching career, this is the coolest aviation video I've seen. Thank you for sharing!

7:30... the sound of the catapult transmitting through the chassis was wild!

Bravo Zulu, this was a great look inside the bigeye. I flew a F14A and B but always wondered what it was like in the front seat of this. Thanks to all my Navy brothers for serving with me back in the 1980's. It was great seeing the blue ocean from their cockpit, brought so many memories back.

I always wanted to be a Navy pilot but the recruiter told me my eyesight wasn’t good enough. 35 years later I’m still upset.

More of this please! Seeing and hearing how tight the crew is and the checklist run throughs just flow. You all know what you are doing, in the cabin and on the deck. Even a bit of banter in there too. I like it.

I love these flying videos of life in the US Navy and especially reading all the comments from veterans and those presently serving, and all the unique stories, humour and banter. Launching and trapping onto a postage stamp "runway" in the ocean earns my utmost respect! Best wishes and blessings to you all from a civilian Kiwi who has flown nothing more than a gaggle of bug smashing Pipers and Cessnas a couple of decades ago. Thank you for your valuable service for our collective freedoms, David. 🛫🛬⚓🎖😀

Dude, if the mirror isn’t right by the tenth adjustment, it’s never gonna be right.

Flew the E2 in the 80’s and 90’s. Loved how you now have glass displays up front. I always thought that the cockpit instrumentation of our Hawkeyes were severely lacking. Nice job guys!

"Yeah we got a guy in a yellow jacket doing tai-chi on catapult one..."

First of all, thank you and all your shipmates for your service! As a civilian working for the Navy for almost 40 years I always wanted to go out to work on a carrier at sea just so I could experience a launch. Very cool. It's also nice to see the work we do during overhauls and upkeeps working to keep us all free. My first day at work as a 17 year old kid I was walked on the USS Constellation and have been in awe of our Navy ever since. Thanks again for your service and stay safe out there!!

After reading many comments about Hawkeyes. My brother was in RVAW 110 at Maramare in 1976 when I joined. I was in stationed at NTC San Diego for A school so, I was able to visit him and was able to see the E2s for the first time. It was such an awesome thing being in the Navy and later worked as an AT where I made the first Med Cruise on the IKE in 78-79 with VA66.. Those E2s you really had to watch out for on the deck when turning at night because of their props. It was hard to tell where they were since the lower frequency they produce from the props, you could only feal in your chest where high frequencies are very directional which jets prduce. You can hear where the sound is coming from even though you where hearing attenuators. Yes I know the E2 are turbo prop jets but the prop noise is louder. On a dark night you really had to watch the advisor lights (aircraft red flashing lights) all the time even after your eyes adjusted to the dark. It did seam like a long time to launch but there are alot going on all over thst flight deck and it's alot of work to get all those birds off that deck safety and at night it's worse or in bad weather. Just remember it's 24/7 day or night, good or bad weather. I salute anyone who served both officers and enlisted now because I have been there and you know who you are. BZ.

Frick’n awesome guys! Thank you and all crew for your service. I am a disabled vet (Army) and I know we have a friendly rivalry, but thank you for everything. I have been out for about 30 years. But I beam with pride for all of my brothers and sisters in the military and love these videos to see how the other half lives!

"I don't know anything about boats. I know what a carrier looks like." At least the guy knows what's important at the end of the day.

Having the audio makes all the difference... Nicely done GLD!

Thank you, and any vet who reads this, for your service. And thanks for sharing a bit of it with us.

That was awesome! That launch, all the rumble and the thud at the end, and the Hawkeye was flying in smooth air. I would give anything to be able to experience it just once...

"Oh yeah! Real good."

I was never able to join or fly for that matter, but vids like this are the closest I'll ever get. The launch off the flight deck sent a chill down my spine and I swear I felt the vertigo from when the plane leaves the deck. Thanks for the video.

I was a sailor, I also became an ATC few years later. We've all seen carriers, I RASed them, had the chance to even board one in harbour. This was my first look of taxiing on deck, crew location and jobs, including the nicest view/feeling it/like you're in the plane literally catapulted off. I kept watching as you passed an escort, watching the waves... beautiful. Thank you for sharing a tiny piece of what I would call... A dream job. o7

So this is how they recorded the half life 1 soldier voices

Wow what a freaking adrenaline rush-just the coordination between ground crews n aviators is way beyond impressive-thanks for you do!

Can’t tell you how many times I have watched this video. I absolutely love it. The utmost respect and gratitude for what you all do. Hope there will one day be more videos!

This takes me back! I was a ATN2 with VAW 122 (hummagators later to be called steeljaws, now decommissioned) on the USS America in Vietnam. I spent a lot of time in those cockpits fixing their radios. I even had a deck launch on a COD one time, flew into Gitmo to fix a radio antenna. Great video, thanks for the memories.

Well done to all my shipmates. Keep the waters safe and secure. This is a great snap of how much work and people it takes to keep the mission going. Much respect.

Sound designers: "You can make amazing stuff with FM synthesis" Me when I get my hands on a FM synthesizer: 6:53

My dad was a F4 and F14 pilot and he’ll tell you all day long how these guys are the shit. I love these video please keep em coming! I live next to Oceana and work at NIT next to NOB so I see you fly over all day long and I love it. You go right over the tower at the Port. Keep up the good work

The chaos turning to pure serenity as you clear the deck must be a wonderful experience.

Recently saw this at an airshow. It was much more agile that I would have expected. Nice aircraft.

Great video. I'm a retired AF guy who has two COD traps, one on the Nimitz, the other on the Enterprise. Never got a CAT shot though. Departed the Nimitz by helo and went to port on the Big E. Navy, a different slice of life. Good times!

I was a crew member on the E2B off the Forestall, 1970 -1976 . Great aircraft . Electronics back then was all vacuum tubes . Impossible to maintain in a high shock environment.

You guys and gals rock !! 💪💪💪🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 Love your videos!! Growing up as a kid, I always wanted to fly ! I Just never created the opportunity. So I fly with you all now when I watch your videos.. Absolutely amazing!! The technology they've come up with since 1957. Thank you for the ride.. Awesome!!!

Flipping awesome. High level of communication and teamwork to get it in the sky.

GJD. This by far is one of the best Navy Videos I've seen AND one of the funniest. (internal audio after launch) Just watching the Deck Crew going through each motion and job is mind boggling (hey, I'm Army and have a inkling of what each does) before the Hawkeye's flight.

GJD Thanks for your explanation of the launch schedule. Those of us who are civilians appreciate it! Safe flights! Thanks for your service.🎖

This is an amazing video! Love hearing the communications and plane! What an amazing experience

The conversation they have is hilarious 😂 what a great video and thank you men and women for your service. I'll be praying for your safety and protection

Sounds like fun! And it should be enjoyable. Good launch guys, thanks for sharing your innermost convo's in the cockpit. It just let's us see more of what it is like to be there! Reminds me a little of the conversations heard in our comms on my fire truck while on the road. It isn't always friendly for work but it's always a good time. I wish I could recorded them over the years (but without Admin being able to hear them, lol).

CAVU skies to all aviators! I am always impressed by the competence of service personnel. .....flying PAR GCAs years ago....a good feeling, "Good morning Kilo 54! Nice to have you with us......" Placing your life in the hands of very competent smart people. Never a worry they would fly you into the ground.

Thank you for your service! Army here 86 to 92. Great video.

legend has it, the pilot is still adjusting that rearview mirror.

Sounds like a fun crew, every once in a while you get the party wrecker for an AC.

I worked on one of many versions of the E2C radar, in 1983-1984. My colleagues at GE AESD Utica NY told me about earlier systems that were used in the 1960's, and there must have been huge advancements since my brief involvement. It is amazing that the airframe is still active today.

That was the best launch video I've seen. Really awesome to watch. Love it. Keep them coming! Good job!

You guys crushed it! Thank you for your service and posting!

Very cool. I’m sure that launch never gets old. Cheers

My cousin is a Hawkeye pilot, currently on a carrier somewhere. It's great to see this video and get a glimpse of what his workdays look like.

Outstanding from an old VA-37 Bull Troubleshooter from the 80s love what you guys do.

My god all of the anticipation before the cat shot made me yell with delight when the launch finally occurred. Brilliantly done. I loved it

7:35 “Oh yeah! Real Good!” Lol. Badasses

The Hawkeye is a cool plane, first time I've seen a video of one taking off from a carrier. Thanks for sharing !

This is just amazing. I am so proud to have been a Naval Officer, and videos like this help awaken passion in future officers. Just shared this with someone pursuing aviation from an engineering (civilian) standpoint.. maybe she'll think about flying Navy now as well! Thank you for sharing this with us!!

Fantastic- one of the most interesting video footage I have watched- very impressive 👍🇬🇧

It’s funny to seethe speed gauge going up like crazy til 120-140 when they leave the deck

Thanks for sharing an utterly unique and interesting thing we wouldn’t normally see in our lives. Regards from New Zealand.

You Hawkeyes never get the “props” you deserve. You guys rock. Thanks for what you do

Man, that’s insane. You go from standing still to airborne in like .5 seconds. That’s quite a ride. Nice job 👍🏻

As a crew member of CVN 69, I hope you screw tops has a good time onboard God speed to VAW-123 fly safe and we’ll catch you on the next trip across the pond.

Quite possibly my most favorite aviation Vid now! This was awesome!

"Oh yeah, real good" I rewatched the part over and over lol. Dope!

Must make it hard to go home to “home” life. This does beat mowing the lawn!!

Thank you for posting. The instrumentation has improved substantially since the days when I flew the E-2C. We were all steam gauges back then.

WOW! Phantastic Video. I was working as Technical Planer at Eurowings, when this Airline was operating ATR 42/72. Could visit the cockpit during take off and landing. Was before 9/11. Nothing to this take-off. Thank you.

As retired Army I always love watching videos from the Navy and Air Force. Gives me a great view into the life of what it would of been like to choose that career path instead of the Army. (and a dream of what it would of been like not getting blown up lol) We may make jokes about each other but we all do it in good humor as we know we each play a part in the greater picture of the military as a whole. Can recall many times where the Air Force has either helped us out or saved out asses. So thanks for sharing!

Awesome video! I was in VC5 , Cubi point, Philippines. We flew S2C and A4s. Mostly delivered mail to the carriers and bases in Vietnam. Great experience. I was stationed at DaNang twice, not such a good experience.

Thank you for your service, and the vital service you provide to your air groups! Your job might not get to be as flashy as the ones firing missiles or dropping bombs on the bad guys, but you give them directions, and advanced warning of anything that they might face! Salute to you and your fellow crews!

As a former EA-3B crewmember this brought back lots of memories. I sat 3rd seat (facing aft behind the pilot) a lot of the cats. Much fun had by all.

I worked at North Island on E2's in the 70's. Proud I did my part on this beautiful aircraft.

I miss my days flying S-3's and racing the E-2 to 7 miles on the first cat shots of the cycle. I bet with the new props you guys could have given us a run for our money.

Prior Service. Civilian Technician. Two Cat launches in the 90's on C2 COD's (Carrier On-board Delivery). For those that don't know, this is a cargo aircraft that can land on and take off from aircraft carriers. It's the same aircraft as the E-2 but without the radar and stuff inside. First launch. Sitting on the catapult. So ... ships power had killed the computer I was supposed to work on - and I spent 77 hours that week trying to fix it (first day being 26 hours long ...) I couldn't fix it but I did get really sick. So ... I'm sick as a dog with a head cold and buzzing along with all the Actifed in me so I don't get a sinus block ... sitting back in the tooth paste tube (no view ports) with my Mickey Mouse gear on and all strapped in. Pilot rev's up the starboard engine a few times and then starts reving up the port engine ... and he revs it up ... and he revs it up ... and he revs it up ... and he revs it up ... And I'm thinking - "He doesn't like the sound of that port engine." So they shut the engines down and (I guess) the crew chief comes back and says: "Pilot doesn't like the sound of the port engine. They're going to open it up and take a look." So we sit there, facing aft, staring at the back of the metal head rest of the seat in front of us. After a while, crew chief comes back: "OK. We figured out what's wrong and we're trying to see if they've got a part." And we sit there on the catapult waiting ... After a while the crew chief comes back. "OK. They found the part." And we sit there ... and after a while the crew chief comes back. "OK. We're not going to fix it now. We've got another aircraft - but it doesn't have any seats in it. We're going to take the seats out of this one and put them in that one. So - report back to the (forget the name of the little room we checked in at for our ride) at 1300." So we all disembark form the aircraft and turn in our Mickey Mouse gear at the little room and then go cool our heels somewhere on the the ship until it's time to report back to the little room. They re-issue our Mickey Mouse gear, we board the other aircraft and I'm sitting there all strapped in and I go to use this Vick's Inhale to try and keep my sinuses open (so I don't get a sinus block). And I drop it. A brief mental image of my little plastic Vicks Inhaler shooting to the back of the aircraft when we launch and I undo my belts, bend over, grab it and put the belts back on ... I had time ... if I didn't - better the plastic tube than me shoots to the back of the plane ... Pilot revs up starboard engine. Pilot revs up port engine. A short wait - and we launch. Sensation was - something had a hold of us and we were going where it was sending us. Aircraft climbs out, turns for home and we sit in the tooth paste tube, listening to the engines drone. Aircraft begins to maneuver some. Lands. We disembark, turn in our Mickey Mouse gear and ... there's no ride to the main gate and no taxi's this far onto the base ... So I pick up my crap and start to walk. Someone came along, gave me a ride to the front gate - I got a taxi home and ... spent the next 3 days in bed sick. Being Prior Service - none of this surprised me in the least. Just another day in the military. .

I never get tired of watching this. You guys are seriously too cool

I was on board USS America in the North Arabian Sea in 1983. Finished deployment and the first leg home was on an S-3 to Diego Garcia. After 3 months of being at sea, I would have swum to Dodge! Anyway, got in my seat and decided that I would lean forward and look out the window when we got catted off the ship. Boy, what a boot! When we took the cat shot, i was unceremoniously slammed back in my seat! But the cool thing is that as soon as you're off the ship, all is good. No more plastered to the seat. Only launch from a carrier I ever experienced. Went aircrew after that, but on P-3s. No tailhooks for me!

I want to be the guy who says “Shit man there ain’t no wind out here”

Absolutely amazing!!! Most dangerous, yet well organized and run military work environment in the entire US DOD!!!

Hey Bud...this is such a GREAT VID! These teams deserve so more credit than they get!!!

Congratulations skilled Navy pilots. Short and accurate takeoff.👏👏

"Oh yeah, real good"( as in good cat )... classic! That's in the manual BTW. I could watch and listen to ops all day.

Gotta love it when KZfaq suggests a great video. Former Grape & trusty Shellback here. It's been a long time since I was on CV-63 (RIP), but I sure miss being on the deck and the chaos in flight deck control. I was fortunate to take a cat shot in a Greyhound into the PI, but that's another story. 🍺🍹Bravo-Zulu on that taxi to the cat.

My brother David was a mechanic on the E-2 Hawkeye stationed at Miramar during the late 80's till about 1994. Cool vid...

The Hawkeye guys were always so chilled!

Younger generations do not seem to enjoy the process of the experience. Thank you for posting something I would have never gotten to experience on my own, I appreciate it.

Thank you for the clarification on the audio and the procedures.Thank you for a fascinating interesting video

The sound of the props actually make me sleepy. I love that sound!

Holy sheet! That is nuts. Half the time I was like: 'Whut are they saying?' I like when the guy says: 'What is so f!@#ing hard about this? We've been doing it for months!' Haha!

7:20 "I like it in the rear" damned sailors...hehe

Over 100 years of carrier experience. So cool to see.

7:35 best part!

One of the best roof videos I've seen. I used to love hearing that prop pitch change when then the E2C's were on the cat.

I was Navy airman at NAS OCEANA in the 60s love this video..Thanks Guys...fly safe...

Thank you guys for doing what you do,,so I can do what I am doing. My 56 years on this planet is possible because of people like you!!! Bravo men and women of our great country service people,, bravo!!👍👍👍🤗🙂

Flying is literally the best thing I have ever done with my life. It's too bad my eyes were never 20/20 or I would have joined the military right after college and went as a pilot. I still get to fly but man can you imagine the rush these guys get, awesome!

Hoping there’s more content to come! This is pretty cool