Ground Crew Collection (page 3)

A U. S. Navy flight deck director directs an EA-6B Prowler onto a steam-powered catapult
March 28, 2007 - A U.S. Navy flight deck director from the air departments aircraft handling division directs an EA-6B Prowler aircraft onto a steam-powered catapult aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft

Sailors hook an ammunition pallet to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter
Pacific Ocean, August 28, 2011 - Sailors hook an ammunition pallet to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter during an ordnance transfer from the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76)

Aviation Boatswains Mate signals the pilot to lift an F-35B Lightning II off the
Atlantic Ocean, October 4, 2011 - Aviation Boatswains Mate gives the thumbs up for pilot to lift an F-35B Lightning II off the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1)

Crew hand starting the port engine of the DC-3 Bluebonnet Belle
September 24, 1947 - American Air Force Base at Coral Harbor, Nunavut - Crew of the DC-3 Bluebonnet Belle hand starting the port engine after the starter motor had quit

A Sailor directs an F / A-18 18E Super Hornet across the flight deck of USS Nimitz
Pacific Ocean, June 17, 2012 - A Sailor directs an F/A-18 18E Super Hornet across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) during flight operations

Boatswains Mates move away after connecting a hoisting sling onto an SH-60F Sea Hawk
Yokosuka, Japan, January 31, 2013 - Boatswains Mates move away after connecting a hoisting sling onto an SH-60F Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the amphibious command ship USS Blue Ridge

A flight crew member stands by with a fire extinguisher
A UH-60 Black Hawk flight crew member stands by with a fire extinguisher, Tikrit, Iraq

Marines hook cargo to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter
Gulf of Oman, August 30, 2013 - Marines from the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit hook cargo to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3)

MV-22 Ospreys sit ready for launch on the flight deck of USS Kearsarge
Red Sea, June 30, 2013 - Sailors and Marines prepare to launch MV-22 Ospreys from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge

An MH-60S Sea Hawk prepares to land on the flight deck of USS Nimitz
Indian Ocean, May 27, 2013 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters land aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan
Pacific Ocean, July 15, 2010 - SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters land aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan

An F-16A Netz of the Israeli Air Force under inspection before take-off from Nevatim Air Force Base, Israel

Sailors signal to launch an F / A-18E Super Hornet
Gulf of Oman, August 23, 2013 - Sailors signal to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

Aviations Boatswains Mate directs an F / A-18E Super Hornet
Pacific Ocean, December 15, 2006 - Aviations Boatswains Mate directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet after successfully completing an arrested landing aboard the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

An F / A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
North Arabian Sea, March 24, 2013 - An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower on the shipas first day of combat air sorties of 2013 in support

Sailors attach a cargo pennant to a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter
Mediterranean Sea, March 3, 2011 - Sailors aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Barry (DDG-52) attach a cargo pennant to a MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter

Aviation Electronics Technician directs an E-2C Hawkeye to start its engines
North Arabian Sea, June 14, 2010 - Aviation Electronics Technician directs an E-2C Hawkeye to start its engines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

Sailors move an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System
Norfolk, Virginia, May 6, 2013 - Sailors move an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator from a lowered aircraft elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

An aviation boatswains mate directs the landing of an MV-22 Osprey
Atlantic Ocean, February 16, 2013 - An aviation boatswains mate directs the landing of an MV-22 Osprey on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge

A Hellenic Air Force F-16C Block 52+ is readied for flight at Araxos Air Base, Greece

Personnel attach a cargo hook to an SA-330J Puma helicopter
Gulf of Oman, September 5, 2013 - Personnel attach a cargo hook to an SA-330J Puma helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) during a vertical replenishment

An aircraft director signals a F / A-18C Hornet on the flight deck of USS Kitty Hawk
Pacific Ocean, April 16, 2008 - An aircraft director signals an F/A-18C Hornet from taxi to launching position on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)

Airmen assist each other as they hook a sling to an SH-60B Seahawk
March 29, 2004 - Airmen assist each other as they hook a sling to an SH-60B Seahawk aboard USS George Washington

An F-35B Lightning II makes a vertical landing on the flight deck of USS Wasp
Atlantic Ocean, October 3, 2011 - An F-35B Lightning II makes the first vertical landing on a flight deck at sea aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1)

An Army AH-64D Apache helicopter takes off from USS Ponce
November 11, 2012 - An Army AH-64D Apache helicopter takes off from the Afloat Forward Staging Base (Interim) USS Ponce, during an exercise as the guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65)

Vehicles are transferred aboard the high speed vessel Swift
Monrovia, Liberia, March 24, 2008 - The Military Sealift Command roll-on, roll-off container ship USNS 2nd LT John Bobo (T-AK 3008) is moored to the Improved Navy Lighterage System (INLS) roll-on

Petty Officer guides an SH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter onto the flight deck of USS McClusky
June 24, 2011 - Petty Officer guides an SH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter onto the flight deck of USS McClusky during deck landing qualifications while the ship is underway in the Pacific Ocean

Two F-15s parked at the end of runway at Kadena Air Base, Japan
Two F-15s from the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa sit at the end of runway to complete thier pre-flight checks

An F / A-18C Hornet prepares to launch from aircraft carrier USS Enterprise
Persian Gulf, September 5, 2007 - An F/A-18C Hornet prepares to launch from aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN-65) on a close air support mission in support of U.S

Two F-15s an an F-22 raptor parked on the runway at Kadena Air Base, Japan
Two F-15s and an F-22 sit at the end of runway to complete their pre-flight checks before taking off on a training mission at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan

An SH-60B Sea Hawk on the flight deck of USS James E. Williams
Atlantic Ocean, January 12, 2012 - Flight deck personnel remove chocks and chains from an SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter before launch aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS James E. Williams

Two CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters on the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard
East China Sea, January 26, 2013 - Landing Craft Air Cushion exits the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6)

An F / A-18E Super Hornet prepares to launch from USS Carl Vinson
Pacific Ocean, May 9, 2013 - An F/A-18E Super Hornet prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson

Commander of Naval Air Forces arrives aboard USS Carl Vinson
Pacific Ocean, May 7, 2013 - Commander of Naval Air Forces arrives aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70)

An F / A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson
Pacific Ocean, May 9, 2013 - Sailors observe an F/A-18E Super Hornet taxi on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson

Sailors prepare to launch an AV-8B Harrier during flight operations aboard USS Peleliu
Pacific Ocean, June 2, 2010 - Sailors prepare to launch an AV-8B Harrier during flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu Peleliu is on a scheduled deployment to the western

Sailors refuel a T-45 Goshawk on the flight deck of USS George H. W. Bush
Atlantic Ocean, February 7, 2012 - Sailors refuel a T-45 Goshawk on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

Maintenance crews perform end of runway checks on an A-10 Thunderbolt
Maintenance crews perform end of runway checks on a 190th Fighter Squadron A-10 Thunderbolt prior to take off in Boise, Idaho

Sailors connect cargo legs and nets to an MH-60S Sea Hawk
Pacific Ocean, September 18, 2013 - Sailors embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) connect cargo legs

Sailors remove chocks and chains from an F / A-18F Super Hornet
Gulf of Oman, August 28, 2013 - Sailors remove chocks and chains from an F/A-18F Super Hornet on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

Aviation Boatswainas Mate signals to a shooter as an F / A-18E Super Hornet prepares
Arabian Sea, April 4, 2011 - Aviation Boatswainas Mate deck edge operator, signals to a shooter as an F/A-18E Super Hornet prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Military helicopters land on the flight deck of USS Carl Vinson
Pacific Ocean, December 21, 2011 - SH-60F and HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopters land on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter practices landing aboard USS Essex
Pacific Ocean, July 12, 2012 - A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter practices landing aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) during the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC)

Airmen run to cover after attaching cargo legs to an MH-60S Sea Hawk
Pacific Ocean, July 3, 2013 - Logistics Specialist and Airman run to cover after attaching cargo legs to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington

Plane captains signal for the start up of aircraft aboard USS John C. Stennis
January 13, 2013 - Plane captains signal for the start up of two F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft on the flight deck of aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis

U. S. Navy rainbow sideboys stationed aboard aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln
December 6, 2010 - U.S. Navy rainbow sideboys stationed aboard aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) greet Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates, center, while at sea in the U.S

A Sailor signals to pilots of an E-2C Hawkeye aboard USS John C. Stennis
February 8, 2013 - A Sailor signals to pilots that another Sailor is checking the landing gear on an E-2C Hawkeye on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis

An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter places cargo onto the flight deck of USS Nimitz
July 7, 2012 - An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter places cargo onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz during a vertical replenishment in the Pacific Ocean

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Ground Crew: Unsung Heroes of the Skies" From assisting fast jet flood relief efforts to refuelling and re-arming Spitfire fighters during World War II, ground crews have always played a crucial role in aviation. In times of crisis, like the RAF Fast Jet assisting flood relief efforts from the air, these dedicated individuals ensure that aircraft are ready for action. They work tirelessly behind the scenes to maintain and prepare Chipmunk aircrafts of the G. U. A. S (Glasgow University Air Squadron) or McDonnell Douglas F-4E Phantom 67-0223. Even during wartime, their importance cannot be overstated. As depicted in an unknown creator's photograph from Malta in 1942 (1944), R. A. F and can be seen refuelling and re-arming Spitfire fighters amidst bomb-shattered hangars. Their bravery and resilience shine through as they clear up wreckage inside those devastated structures. Their expertise extends beyond combat situations too. The Leigh Light, a powerful carbon arc searchlight used for spotting U-boats, showcases their versatility and adaptability in different roles within aviation. The challenges faced by they are not limited to just maintenance tasks but also include logistical feats such as manhandling a French Spad fighter through snow-covered terrain to reach safety inside a hangar. Their contributions extend beyond individual missions; they play pivotal roles in historical events as well. A black-and-white photo captures British 12, 000-lb armor-piercing earthquake bombs being loaded into Lancaster bombers during World War II - weapons that would ultimately sink the German battleship Tirpitz. Whether it is Tripolitania or Sidi Barrani during c1942-1943 (1945), R. A. F Ground Crews continue to demonstrate unwavering dedication even under challenging circumstances.