Ground Crew Collection (page 4)

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

Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a UH-1Y Venom
South China Sea, February 7, 2013 - Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a UH-1Y Venom helicopter as it lifts off from the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard

U. S. Navy Sailors give the thumbs up signal before launching a E-2C Hawkeye
Two US Navy (USN) Sailors aboard the USN Nimitz-class: Aircraft Carrier, USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), give the thumbs up signal before launching a USN E-2C Hawkeye aircraft

Airmen chain down an F / A-18E Super Hornet
October 3, 2012 - Airmen chain down an F/A-18E Super Hornet of VFA-143 Pukin Dogs during flight operations on the USS Dwight D

An MH-60R Seahawk embarked aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt
An MH-60R Seahawk assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46 (HSM-46), embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

An F / A-18E Super Hornet flies over the flight deck of USS Nimitz
Indian Ocean, May 27, 2013 - An F/A-18E Super Hornet flies over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

A MV-22 Osprey aircraft prepares to land on the flight deck
March 1, 2011 - A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey aircraft prepares to land on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island in the Pacific Ocean

An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter picks up supplies from the flight deck
Philippine Sea, August 24, 2012 - An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter picks up supplies from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during a replenishment at sea

Aviation Boatswains Mate attaches an F / A-18F Super Hornet to the catapult
Gulf of Oman, December 14, 2013 - Aviation Boatswains Mate attaches an F/A-18F Super Hornet to the catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

High angle view of an Unmanned Combat Air System
Atlantic Ocean, May 14, 2013 - Sailors move an X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator onto an aircraft elevator aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

A shooter aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H
Atlantic Ocean, July 19, 2010 - A shooter aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) launches a T-45C Goshawk training aircraft

Sailors prepare an AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft for take-off from USS Essex
South China Sea, November 20, 2010 - Sailors prepare an AV-8B Harrier jet aircraft for take-off from the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2)

A C-2A Greyhound undergoes flight preparations
Pacific Ocean, April 24, 2013 - Aviation Boatswainas Mate prepares to launch a C-2A Greyhound on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson

A flight deck crew member performs final checks on an E-2C Hawkeye
Atlantic Ocean, March 9, 2006 - A flight deck crew member performs final checks as an E-2C Hawkeye taxis into launch position aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

U. S. Marines perform preflight checks on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter
April 2, 2007 - U.S. Marines perform preflight checks on a CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter prior to launching a mission from Al Asad Air Base, Iraq

Sailors muster for quarters on the flight deck aboard USS Carl Vinson
Pacific Ocean, February 2, 2012 - Sailors muster for quarters on the flight deck aboard USS Carl Vinson

Boatswainas Mate directs an MH-60S Sea Hawk aboard USS Farragut
November 6, 2012 - Boatswainas Mate directs an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter as it approaches the flight deck of guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut

Marines stand next to a row of AH-1N Cobra helicopters
Atlantic Ocean, January 23, 2013 - Marines stand next to a row of AH-1N Cobra helicopters on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge

Aviation Boatswain Mates signal a clear flight deck aboard USS John C. Stennis
Arabian Sea, October 24, 2011 - Aviation Boatswain Mates signal a clear flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis. John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S

Sailors direct a C-2 Greyhound on the flight deck of USS George H. W. Bush
Atlantic Ocean, April 17, 2013 - Sailors direct a C-2 Greyhound from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 after landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

The onload of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System
November 26, 2012 - U.S. Navy Sailors assist with the onload of the X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman

Aviation Boatswains Mate directs the pilot of an AV-8B Harrier II
East China Sea, January 30, 2009 - Aviation Boatswains Mate directs the pilot of an AV-8B Harrier II aircraft as it prepares to launch from the amphibious assault ship USS Essex

Chief of Naval Operations passes through the rainbow sideboys
Arabian Sea, January 18, 2011 - Chief of Naval Operations passes through the rainbow sideboys aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln

Boatswains Mate signals to an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter
Korea Strait, March 21, 2006 - Boatswains Mate signals to an Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter to land on the flight deck of USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19)

Soldiers rappel from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter
Gulf of Oman, September 9, 2013 - A member of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 2 rappels from an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S

Sideboys salute the commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic
October 16, 2012 - Sideboys salute the commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

An MV-22B Osprey lands aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde
June 17, 2010 - An MV-22B Osprey lands aboard the amphibious transport dock ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19). Mesa Verde is part of the Nassau Amphibious Ready Group supporting maritime security

An Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a French E-2C Hawkeye abord USS Theodore Roosevelt
Atlantic Ocean, July 19, 2008 - An Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a French E-2C Hawkeye during combined French and American carrier qualifications aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS

n F / A-18C Hornet launches from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
Arabian Sea, August 23, 2012 - An F/A-18C Hornet launches from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)

Sailors fight a simulated fire drill on the flight deck of USS Enterprise
Arabian Sea, April 9, 2012 - Sailors fight a simulated class bravo fire during a fuel station fire drill on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65)

Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter onto the flight
Philippine Sea, November 8, 2009 - Aviation Boatswains Mate directs a CH-53 Sea Stallion helicopter onto the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Essex during the air combat element fly-on

Maintence personnel prepare to refuel an F-22 Raptor
Maintence personnel from the 49th Fighter Wing at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, prepare to refuel an F-22 Raptor

Sailors man the forecastle aboard USS Mesa Verde
February 4, 2013 - Sailors man the forecastle during a sea and anchor detail aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19) as the ship departs Norfolk, Virginia

Aviation Boatswains Mate directs an E-2C Hawkeye on the flight deck
February 28, 2013 - Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) directs an E-2C Hawkeye on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis

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"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.