My dad was on the ship when they filmed all of that. He has so many stories, he even played basketball with Tom Cruise and the other cast members!!!

God damn those F-14's were beautiful birds.

Yes, the flight deck crews did "drag race" on the flight deck. My Navy vet friend used to do that "back in the day" on board the old USS Ranger.If you fell overboard you hoped the safety nets would break your fall, or that you were a very good swimmer, or that it did not happen at night. He would practice his hand signals routines when off duty so he would not screw up when it was for real. DANGEROUS jobs for the chump change the young enlisted men were paid.

My father was a Green Jacket on the flight deck of the Saratoga from 1981-85, It was cool asking him what all these people were doing and he could explain it like he just got off duty.

"The mission will be dangerous" "uhm would you say we'd be venturing into a..... zone of danger?" "well yes, obviously" "no but I mean how would you phrase that?" "I....the zone..... will be one of danger?" "No I mean... ugh nevermind"

Um The F-14 took off at max thrust because it was also the heaviest damn thing a carrier launched off the cats.

to much red bull for this guy HAHAHAHA

I was in VF-51 when the film was shot: AO2AW (when AW meant something), worked the CAG arm/dearm crew so that red shirt you see on the cat is me and my team. You sound like you did one tour as maybe a plane captain (brown shirt) or green shirt. I have watched your videos in the past, you have some stuff right and some stuff AFU, most won't know the difference. Hoping you are doing more than making videos and getting cranked up on whatever shipmate. Peace!

The arresting systems actually use what you call a “pendent cable”, and it’s insane that they can change them in minutes, or less. We would sometimes spend a full day replacing pendants on runway arresting systems, lots of respect for those guys.

@4:13 The F14A(the one that was used for Top gun) with P&W tf30s (20,000 ish pounds of thrust) required full Afterburner for cat launches. The later F14B & D models equipped with GE F110s (27,000- 29500 pounds of thrust) did not require full afterburner as these more powerful and efficient engines give plenty of dry thrust(20,000) for cat launches. Plz correct me if im wrong. im 16 and i hope to be an Airforce or naval Aviator.

I was on the deck of a fully-loaded refined oil tanker as the crew did a fire drill, and SLAM, a big ass steel wheel shot down, from a high tension slingshot of swift decapitation, landing just three feet from me and skidding fast down the deck toward other men, it was part of the hoisting gear supporting a heavy lifeboat which failed. Had it hit me, my hard hat wouldn't have done much good. That was a civilian vessel at port, no F-14s on full afterburner with steam catapults, I was on it for only one day, and I almost got killed and witnessed the men rescuing the lifeboat putting themselves in danger too as of it were just another day at the office for them. And they do this day and night for several months at a clip usually not in hostile waters, and occasionally without the luck I had. While you keep the tempo upbeat and don't spell it out in this video, I can sort of picture the extreme and constant degree of danger in which you work and all the extraordinary amount of training you sailors must do to hedge the risks, remain alive and get the job done. Thanks. To offer you a less vague expression of gratitude for your service, I am specifically appreciative of the Navy, Marines and their counterparts of other friendly nations they work with for the anti-piracy operations. One of our dry cargo ships was attacked off Kenya, defenseless other than fire hoses, by two skiffs, taking AK and RPG fire, radioed distress. Frigate on patrol nearby carrying a heli, heli responded, scared off the pirates, successful interdiction, they tracked skiffs into the night and later apprehended eleven pirates and seized the skiffs and a ten meter "mothership" carrying weapons, ammo, 17 barrels of fuel, 460 miles from the Somali coast. That's Hollywood shit. Pirates, boats and evidence delivered to Kenya for trial, not catch-and-release. Damage only cosmetic, ship delivered its cargo on time, piracy risk to other vessels lowered a bit for the time being, global commerce and wealth creation unstifled, no hostage situation, and most importantly of course, no casualties. It's generally too legal-, logistic- and cost-prohibitive for vessels to carry security or any weapons, an elevated net liability, they only have squirt guns to attempt to prevent heavily armed, motivated pirates with nothing to lose from boarding and capturing the bridge, best speed and "evasive maneuvers." Shipowners almost always pay ransom (which doesn't help the problem, feeding the birds) as a cost of doing business to use the canal, they often don't try to collect insurance partly in order to avoid attention, many of these incidents do not get reported at all. You individually may not have been aboard that frigate or heli, but your brothers were, so thanks for that one Sir. Those ransom ain't cheap!

Thank you for not ruining intro of one of my favorite movies and keeping my fantasies alive!

Thanks for all the great videos! AT2 (AW) PC, CDI. I worked on the MH-60S, the precursor to the R and deployed with HC-6 before it became HSC-26. Your channel has brought back so many great memories for me. Keep up the good work shippie. Can't wait for the next one.

This will be the biggest and most friendly military channel, keep doing you JT no one can take the hard work away from you!!

I Was waiting for this THANK YOU JT!

Dude, I love you! What a great description of a life on an aircraft carrier. I'm not military, but my dad was on the USS Ranger in Vietnam and eventually became the Chief Public Affairs officer of the Navy at the Pentagon(JSOC....). He told me all about the green shirts and the yellow shirts and the red shirts and everything they did. Your description is spot-on. I love this!

Thanks for the breakdown and for your service. Much appreciated!

The f14 tomcats and phantoms looked so sick my dad worked out of OG VF1

I saw Top Gun at a theater on a marine base on Okinawa in 1986 when it was first released. I was in the USAF stationed on Kadena AB,where the SR-71 was based as well. It was a real treat to see that movie on a Marine base with all the Navy and Marine personnel.

Dude, I loved the video. I was an airframe structural repair guy in the army 25 years and 100Lbs ago. I think it's awesome that you were sharing the knowledge about the various jobs available to someone joining the military, there needs to be more awareness of the jobs and careers available to young people today who are considering signing up.

*casually watches my dream job*

Great job soldier, super show and tell. Thanks for your service. I felt at home.

Thank you for your service man. I grew up watching Top Gun relentlessly on VHS and enjoyed this vid!

thank you - i learned alot from this video.

Badass, informative video bro. I've been on LHAs/LHDs. Keep em commin' my guy, I've been working a shit ton, so I binge watch when I can!

What up, JT!? Back at it AGAIN with the late night grinds!

The video ended so quick i was ready for you to react to the whole movie lol awesome stuff though, so cool learning about it, 2k more subs!! So freaking pumped for you to hit it! What crazy video are you gonna cook up for it?! Cant wait for the 100k merch too

The fire that is coming out of the tail is the afterburner. F/A-18s *do* still go full AB on takeoff. It just depends on the load that they're carrying, like if they're acting as a recovery tanker and are borderline with their maximum weight. And like you said, if it's night time, they will go full AB no matter what. The F-14s did it the same way. Their engines are actually more powerful than that of the F/A-18s. I mean... they *can* go mach 2.3.

Nice vid! Made that opening scene even more fun!

I was a radarman on the USS Ranger, CVA-61 1974-1978 and when I first saw Top Gun, I noticed the flaws too, ha ha. Nice video!

For those who may not know: those Sailors you see in the opening scene were Sailors that were stationed on the Big E during that time. Not sure about now, but at that time, Hollywood would use actual Sailors for scenes when they would shoot on ships. But, the information you gave was new info to me! 😊 I never knew there was a difference of the guys that worked the deck!

Love the video's JT keep em coming. :)

Wow thanks next time I watch the movie I be watching closer after you explain everything . You guys are so awesome working on aircraft carrier. Thanks for all the information .

Dang I thought you were gonna react to the volleyball scene

that's cool we saw this movie on base before it came out to the public! that was a great gift. we loved it before everyone else did.

Like the video. Thanks for the info and insight. Helps my understanding. Boy I miss those F-14's. Such a beautiful aircraft. Love it's design.

JT I'm joining the navy because I'm inspired by you and my dad my father served for 4 years on the Uss Camden he was ported in most places you have been in and he was on the flight deck

If you haven’t already, check out Flight of the Intruder. It’s all about Naval Carrier pilots & takes place during Vietnam. There’s quite a few flight deck scenes in that film.

JT - I'm an old dude who served in the Army like....well let's just say WAAYY before you were even born. But I have to tell you I enjoyed this video and your insights into real deck ops more than any other video I've checked out in the last year. Thanks for sharing!

I bet you can taste the 100k milestone JT. You'll get it by the end of April❤️

i can't stop looking at the eye brows! hahaha but great video! no idea how i found this channel! but hello from Ontario Canada! also this was uploaded on my birthday.. nice!

Thank you for your service! I appreciate it more than you know! You are a certified nut too! Thank you sir! Have a good memorial day weekend!

Top gun is awesome and so are you JT! Keep up the good work! 100K subs soon!!! LOOOOOB SQUUAAAA

Sir JTsuits can you do a reaction video to the sequel Top Gun: Maverick, thanks in advance

Also, the F-14 was a big ass jet. An old customer of mine who flew the F-14A in the early 80’s affectionately referred to it as “the big fighter”. He said they good naturedly razzed the hell out of early F-18 crews. A story he shared was he and a wingmate missed an aerial refuel due to a bunch of thirsty Hornets that sucked up all the gas. The Tomcats were able to fly conservatively and make it home anyway. There was also some clowning based on the Hornets “flying themselves”. F-14’s didn’t have fly-by-wire. It was all hydraulic back then. Anyway, hats off to all carrier personnel. You guys do amazing things constantly and with very few mistakes.

I am really enjoying watching all your vids :-)

My Granddad was a catapult man in WWII. ABN2. Also early Naval Aviation is my one of my areas of study. Lots has changed.

You made me want to join up. Wait, I just remembered I've been retired over 20 years. I love naval aviation.

The exhaust out of the older model jet aircraft had AFTERBURNER sections and that is raw JP-4 fuel dumped behind the turbine section then ignited, that's why the flames!! I spent many years as a final checker on the flightdeck for F-4, then A-6E.

i am a fake

The aircraft carrier that they use in Top gun was the aircraft carrier my dad during some of his time in the Navy.

Nice video dude, was really interesting.

This was an awesome movie, never thought that there was more to it!!

nice video from a good perspective of flight deck ops

That “final checker” (aka FireGuard) he’s talkin about is apart of your PC Qualification packet if your an aviation rate

Top Gun is like a time capsule to 1980s american military and what it looked like on a typical base. It just looks spot on. The decor and look of the offices, the locker rooms, all the circulating fans and the sweat, playing sports on off days. I'm sure that is like going back in time for a lot of vets of that period.

So we just finna ignore that intro, cause that was some amazing singing

Love top gun "highway to the papa zone" lol

I stayed up until 3 a.m. just for this video lol now I can finally go to bed😂

Very cool man, thank you

Bro why do you answer all my questions. Keep up the good work.

I watched Top Gun yesterday and wondered if you made a video on it. Guess I was just in time.

Almost 100k keep it up

Just subscribed man really enjoying your content so far!

Dude looks like a younger Billy Zane.

Amazing and sincere Video.

Great video again

Was an MM that lived in the aft Reactor Dept. berthing, listing to the birds land helped put me to sleep during deployment.

Great video. ...good job...

I am a NAVY VETERAN I was in V1 division on the ENTERPRISE when the F - 14 was deployed in 1973

I got caught behind an F-18 while turning and yes that "little" power blew my ass down to deck. Thanks to one of the pad eyes I didn't end up in the drink.

The fire coming out of the exhaust is called AFTERBURNER THRUST. I was a jet engine technician for 8 years. It was comical listening to you describe it.

Man.. This movie always reminds me of the photographd my dad who is in the German airforce made when he was on the USS America CV66 in 1996. He was lucky so some personel from the squadron he worked in as flight coordinating seargent was invited to the carrier for one week... actually some of the Tomcats on board were those seen in TopGun.

Good morning man. Watching this before I head to my college classes. Almost through with my 1st year.

The tomcat has to go at full afterburner because it's in a different class than a Hornet/Rhino do to that Monster Cat is classified as a heavy interceptor, which is a specific roll. A tomcat is also faster than a Hornet

So JT said about flying into wind, and that made me wonder, how do you do flight deck ops in high seas / stormy weather?Awesome video, JT. And so close to 100k! Good luck

My dad is a boatswain mate hes still been in for 24 years im not exactly sure but when he was on the William P Lawrence DDG 110 he worked on the flight deck a lot.

4:17 "The engines weren't as powerful?" First of all you mean "turbines" and yes they were.Even though the F-14 Tomcats are decommissioned; they are still about the fastest fighter jets in the world other than the Russian Migs. The F-14 Tomcat is actually faster than an F-18 Super Hornet; and even a Blue Angel. Also Faster than an AV/8B Harrier

My dad and my brother are both retired. They were lifers. My dad's a plankowner on the original USS America CVA 66, and he served on the USS Saratoga CVA 60. He was a CPO, AMHC. He belonged to VA-75, The Sunday Punchers. I still have his flight jacket. He worked on F-14 Tomcats, A-6's and A-7 People Eaters. The People Eaters were aptly named! My dad was a hydraulics specialist so his skills were very much in demand. He did two tours in DaNang. My brother served on The USS Tripoli LPH10 and was on deck when it was struck with a sea mine. It was thanks to his quick thinking that no lives were lost. He is also a plankowner on the USS Cape St, George CG71. He retired as a full Lt. I was born in a Naval hospital in Memphis, TN, home to the biggest landlocked Naval base, and would have followed my dad and brother into the Navy had it not been for my asthma. My blood bleeds blue and gold. The US Navy is everything I respect and love. Ever have to do FOD walkdowns? My dad did!

jeez he makes me anxious waiting for him to snort some coke

I was a Storekeeper (SK) aboard the USS Nimitz and I was never on the flight deck. But, to me, the carrier flight deck isn't complete unless there are F-14 Tomcats up there.

Lol at when he said he doesn’t like the fuelers, I’m not a navy fueler but Im an army fueler and I train with them at fort Lee VA

I have to say that watching Tom Cat's shoot off the deck is pretty awesome. The F-4's were too.

Great reaction video. I love how nearly 85% of the movie was accurate. Most like the shower rooms weren't that accurate at that time as they would just go home and shower. Some would be there though.

I love the way you're talking all plane pusher shit and using your hands to signal as you talk.

This video is lit. 🔥🔥🔥. How have I just found this. Love from uk

Thank you for your service. I love top gun movie

Both of my parents served in the Navy and I chose the Marine Corps instead. This is the first video of yours I've seen and I just want to say thank you for your service.

I know from my two cruises that it's not as fun as the movie let's on to be. It gets old very quickly. I was a Marine with VMFA-312, F/A-18C legacy Hornets on USS Enterprise CVN-65 and USS Harry S Truman CVN-75.

Pretty good description of the flight deck. I was an AZ in a VFA squadron and was flight deck qual'd. (I ran the ADBs up to the pilots if a jet switch took place for some reason. I was also the only AZ that our Maintenance Master Chief trusted alone on the flight deck during ops. LOL) During the 97 cruise we called the F-14s shitty kitties. Damn those things leaked! I believe the record for drip pans in the hanger bay was 47 under one. First time on the flight desk for night ops was the most terrifying and most exhilarating events of my life up to that point. Missed a turning F-14 once and went for a roll down the flightdeck. Last time I made that mistake. I kind of miss the excitement of the flight deck at times....

In the 8 yrs i served, i spent the 1st 4 yrs on shore duty working along side the JAG, and the next 4 hrs on an amphib, LHD3, so i briefly saw the flight deck... Still pretty cool analysis though, thank you! I remember those different working uniforms 😁...I was a YN during my time 2008-2016

Dad was an ADR. I've been to Fightertown USA where the Navy tried to drown me only, I didn't drown. Military Life is a great life full of some of the best times and worst times in my time there. I'd do it all over again even with the same fucked up outcomes. I want to hear the slang for the different birds on deck to see if they've changed or stayed the same. Oh yeah, US Army here 67U20F. Yes, the MOS numbers are different these days so some won't know what that is but, can likely figure it out. Cheers to you Squidly Diddly!

I loved your parody to Danger zone

Great review as always... The Sonar Shack of an old FFG was never quite that active. I first saw Top Gun in boot camp in 1986... Watched it again in early '87 in the theater at Naval Base Norfolk. There were a couple of what appeared to be pilots ripping apart the flying scenes... recall hearing one or the other saying 'that's bullshit' more than a few times through the show.

Thank you for your service Sr.

Awsome video

You forgot to mention the blue striped ordnance they show in Top Gun. I think it was in the opening scene. It could have been at the end though. Either way it was a live mission...

Hello,it's been a while.thanks for the video...it's my fave movie from my fave actor

Before anybody tries to say anything about the scene was wrong or inaccurate... thats not possible, because it was REAL footage from a REAL navy flight deck.

Really enjoyed this video! I served as an OS on the USS Enterprise from October 1987 to January 1991 and I have a lot of respect for those who worked on the flight deck! I had a cushy yet very stressful job in the CDC two decks below the forward cats and frequently on the bridge. My first cruise was a one month norpac, one man walked into a prop. During my first westpac a plane broke loose from the tow bar and went over the side with the plane captain inside, he was not rescued. That is such a horrible way to die. You had one of the most dangerous jobs in the world!