Naval Aircraft Operations

Photos of various naval aircraft on aircraft carriers, illustrating military operations, takeoffs, and equipment handling in Mediterranean and Atlantic waters.

DN-ST-88-02094. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
DN-ST-88-02094. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
150 assets in this story
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060808-N-8591H-018. Base: USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63)
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DN-ST-85-12740. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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DN-ST-86-10273. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)
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A U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harrier with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), takes off from the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) as part of Combined Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 24, 2017. The exercise allows all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF) to join and train in realistic scenarios so the MEU as a whole can meet its Pre-Deployment Training Program objectives prior to their upcoming deployment at sea.
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A-4 and TA-4J Skyhawk aircraft of Fighter Squadron 126 (VF-126) stand on the flight line in preparation for a mock combat training mission. The aircraft are painted in "threat colors" to represent aggressor forces. Base: Naval Air Station, Miramar State: California(CA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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DN-SN-90-01088. Base: USS Independence (CV 62) Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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Atlantic Ocean, October 19, 2005 - An E-2C Hawkeye lands on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Enterprise. Enterprise is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting Carrier Qualifications.
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Spotting F6Fs on Flight Deck of USS Yorktown (CVA-10)
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F/A-18C Hornets from Fighter Attack Squadron Two Five One (VMFA-251), assigned to Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1), make final preparations for launch during normal flight operations. George Washington and Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) are in the Persian Gulf to support UN efforts to compel Iraqi compliance with UN resolutions. Base: USS George Washington (CVN 73) Country: At Sea
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DN-SC-89-08008. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)
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An S-2 Tracker aircraft of the Argentine navy prepares to briefly touch down on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). The plane is taking part in touch-and-go landings aboard the LINCOLN during the vessel's circumnavigation of South America. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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A Harpoon missile is launched from the battleship USS NEW JERSEY (BB 62) during tests on the Pacific Missile Test Center (PMTC) range. Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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A right front view of an E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft from Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113 (VAW-113) assigned to Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) landing on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS SARAGTOGA (CV-60) underway off the coast of Florida. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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970624-N-0485L-003. Subject Operation/Series: KERNEL BLITZ '97. Base: Uss Peleliu (LHA 5) Scene Major Command Shown: USS PELELIU
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A row of A-7 Corsair II aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV 41). Base: USS Midway (CV 41) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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A flight deck crew member signals as an F-14A Tomcat aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV-64) during PACEX '89. Subject Operation/Series: PACEX '89 Country: Unknown
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An A-7 Corsair II attack aircraft prepares to takeoff aboard the aircraft carrier USS CORAL SEA (CV-43). Country: Unknown
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An Attack Squadron 56 (VA-56) A-7E Corsair aircraft bursts into flames after a ramp strike on the aircraft carrier USS MIDWAY (CV-41). Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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A right front view of an S-2E Tracker aircraft as it makes an arrested landing aboard the Brazilian aircraft carrier MINAS GERAIS (A 11) during Operation UNITAS XXV. Subject Operation/Series: UNITAS XXV Base: Minas Gerais (A 11)
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A crash crewman in a proximity suit drives a damage control vehicle across the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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220614-N-LY962-1035 PACIFIC OCEAN (June 14, 2022) Sailors signal an F/A-18E Super Hornet during a safety check on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operation.
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US Navy Aviation Boatswain's Mate AIRMAN (ABAN) Geoff Wiseman (left) and ABAN Ryan Shaw, USN (right), assigned to the Air division avoid the intense heat of an F-14 Tomcat's jet exhaust while transiting the flight deck during air operations aboard the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS NIMITZ (CVN 68). Operation SOUTHERN WATCH, Persian Gulf, 15 October 1997. Subject Operation/Series: SOUTHERN WATCH Base: USS Nimitz (CVN 68)
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A catapult crewman signals to the pilot of an F/A-18A Hornet aircraft from Strike Fighter Squadron 15 (VFA-15) as the aircraft is prepared for launch on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN-71). The ROOSEVELT is on station in the eastern Mediterranean in support of Operation Provide Comfort, a multinational effort to aid Kurdish refugees in southern Turkey and northern Iraq. Subject Operation/Series: PROVIDE COMFORT Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)
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A Naval Air Reserve F-4S Phantom II aircraft from Fighter Squadron 202 (VF-202) lands aboard the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV-66). This is the last operational landing by a Navy F-4 aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier. VF-202, the last Navy unit to fly the F-4, will transition to the F-14 Tomcat. Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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Various aircraft line the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS AMERICA (CV 66). They include, from foreground: an F/A-18C Hornet aircraft, two Attack Squadron 72 (VA-72), A-6E Intruder aircraft, a Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 137 (VAQ-137) EA-6B Prowler aircraft, an Air Anti-submarine Squadron 32 (VS-32) S-3A Viking aircraft and two more VA-72 A-6E Intruder aircraft. Base: USS America(CV 66) Country: Mediterranean Sea(MED)
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060724-N-4856C-001. Base: USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)
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DN-SC-87-05492. Country: Unknown
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DN-ST-86-03984. Base: USS Coral Sea (CV 43) Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)
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An F-14A Tomcat aircraft from Fighter Squadron 154 rests on the flight deck after a landing aboard the aircraft carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64) during Fleet Exercise 85. Base: USS Constellation (CV 64) Country: Pacific Ocean (POC)
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Crewmen aboard Invincible Class Aircraft Carrier, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (RO 6), prepare to move a Royal Air Force GR-7 Harrier across the flight deck following a flight. The British vessel is operating in the Persian Gulf in support of the Southwest build-up. Base: Hms Illustrious (RO 6)
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An Air Anti-submarine Squadron 31 (VS-31) S-3A Viking aircraft is launched from one of the waist catapults aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)
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F6Fs Return to USS Lexington (CVA-16) After Engagement with Enemy in South Pacific
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Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class (AO2) Darrell Thomas leads a crew transporting Mark 82 500 pound drag bombs to the forward flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS INDEPENDENCE (CV-62) for eventual load-out of aircraft. Subject Operation/Series: Cobra Gold 95 Country: Sea Of Japan
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011123-N-5152P-001. Subject Operation/Series: ENDURING FREEDOM Base: Uss Kitty Hawk (CV 63) Scene Major Command Shown: USS Kitty Hawk
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Fuel vehicles have been loaded on the USNS DENEBOLA, at the Savannah, Georgia port, for deployment to Somalia. Base: Fort Stewart State: Georgia (GA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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An air-to-air view of an Airborne Early Warning Squadron 117 (VAW-117) E-2C Hawkeye aircraft with the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) underway below. Country: Unknown
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British Royal Navy Leading AIRMAN Bob Chorlton gives taxi directions to a FA-2 Harrier pilot aboard the Invincible Class Aircraft Carrier, HMS ILLUSTRIOUS (RO 6), as a second Royal Navy FA-2 Sea Harrier prepares to land. The British vessel is operating in the Persian Gulf in support of the Southwest build-up. Base: Hms Illustrious (RO 6)
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Marines of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (22nd MEU) are led to a helicopter on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS SAIPAN (LHA-2) during a rehearsal for Operation Sharp Edge. The SAIPAN is on station off the coast of Liberia. Subject Operation/Series: SHARP EDGE Country: Atlantic Ocean (AOC)
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Crew members conduct a foreign object damage (FOD) walk-down on the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) prior to the ship's departure from port. Base: Naval Air Station, Norfolk State: Virginia (VA) Country: United States Of America (USA)
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Three blast deflector panels are raised behind an F-14 Tomcat aircraft from Fighter Squadron 142 (VF-142) during flight operations aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69). An A-7E Corsair II aircraft from Light Attack Squadron 66 (VA-66) is being attached to a steam catapult in the background. Second view in a series of eight. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)
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220518-N-DU622-1093 PACIFIC OCEAN, (May 18, 2022) A C-2 Greyhound, from the Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, makes an arrested gear landing the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN68). Nimitz is underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations
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Crew members watch from the flight deck as a RIM-7 Sea Sparrow missile is launched from the stern of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (CVN-69).Second view in a series of three. Country: Mediterranean Sea (MED)
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DN-SC-87-05764. Base: USS Dwight D Eisenhower (CVN 69)
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An air-to-air left side view of a 42nd Electronic Combat Squadron EF-111A Raven aircraft flying past the Rock of Gibraltar during Open Gate '89. Open Gate is a Joint Chiefs of STAFF/NATO exercise designed to simulate air and sea power tactics required to keep the Straits of Gibraltar open during a crisis. Subject Operation/Series: OPEN GATE '89 Country: Unknown
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The destroyer USS CONOLLY (DD-979) participates in an underway replenishment with the battleship USS IOWA (BB-61). One of the IOWA'S Mark 7 16-inch/50-caliber guns is in the foreground. Country: Unknown
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An EA-6B Prowler assigned to VAQ-130 is guided onto catapult 1 aboard USS Harry S. Truman. Truman is operating in the 5th fleet area of responsibility.
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040527-O-0000G-002. Complete Scene Caption: The US Navy (USN) announced today that General Dynamics - Bath Iron Works, Bath, Maine, will be one of two defense contracting teams awarded contract options for final system design with options for detail design and construction of up to two Flight 0 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). The LCS is an entirely new breed of US Navy warship. A fast, agile, and networked surface combatant, LCSs modular, focused-mission design will provide Combatant Commanders the required war fighting capabilities and operational flexibility to ensure maritime dominance and access for the joint force. LCS will operate with focused-mission packages that deploy manned and unmanned vehicles to execute missions including, Special Operations Forces (SOF) support, high-speed transit, Maritime Interdiction Operations (MIO), Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP). Country: United States Of America (USA)