Ground Crew Collection (page 9)

Aviation Boatswains Mate directs an MV-22 Osprey as it launches from the flight deck
Pacific Ocean, April 23, 2013 - Aviation Boatswains Mate directs an MV-22 Osprey as it launches from the flight deck of the the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship Pre-Commissioning Unit

Shooters give the signal to launch an F / A-18E Super Hornet
Pacific Ocean, September 3, 2012 - Shooters give the signal to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) during flight operations

An aviation boatswains mate directs an F-35B Lightning II aboard USS Wasp
Atlantic Ocean, October 3, 2011 - An aviation boatswains mate directs an F-35B Lightning II after it completes the first vertical landing on a flight deck at sea aboard the amphibious assault ship

U. S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft at Davis Monthan Air Force Base
U.S. Air Force A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft on the ramp at Davis Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, taking part in the Hawgsmoke exercise

Flight Deck Officer monitors the movement of flight deck personnel from the nose
Pacific Ocean, November 3, 2005 - Flight Deck Officer monitors the movement of flight deck personnel from the nose of an F/A-18C Hornet aboard aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk

Soldiers fast rope from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter onto amphibious transport
Pacific Ocean, February 10, 2010 - A visit, board, search and seizure team member fast ropes from a CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter onto the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD-9)

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lowers pallets of supplies onto USS Bonhomme Richard
South China Sea, February 8, 2013 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lowers pallets of supplies during a vertical replenishment on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter delivers supplies to USS Mobile Bay
Arabian Sea, November 27, 2012 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter delivers supplies to the forecastle of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay during a vertical replenishment

Maintenance personel work on an F-16 Fighting Falcon
F-16 Fighting Falcon maintenance personnel from the 162nd Fighter Wing work on an aircraft between missions in Tucson, Arizona

An MiG-29 jet fighter of the Bulgarian Air Force, Graf Ignatievo Air Base, Bulgaria

An F-14D Tomcat in launch position on the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt
North Arabian Gulf, October 17, 2005 - An F-14D Tomcat of VF-31 Tomcatters (Carrier Air Wing 8) in launch position on the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt in support of Operation Enduring Freedom

Firemen confirm a simulated fire is extinguished on the flight deck of USS Chosin
July 14, 2012 - U.S. Navy Damage Controlman Firemen confirm a simulated fire is extinguished during a helicopter crash and salvage drill on the flight deck of the guided missile cruiser USS Chosin

An AV-8B Harrier prepares to takeoff from USS Peleliu
Pacific Ocean, February 10, 2011 - An AV-8B Harrier prepares to take-off from the amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu during training exercises off the coast of Southern California

Aviation fuel technician attaches a fuel line to an AV-8B Harrier
November 5, 2009 - Aviation fuel technician attaches a fuel line to an AV-8B Harrier from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 at Auxiliary Airfield 2 in Yuma, Arizona

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter picks up supplies from USNS Bridge
Pacific Ocean, September 19, 2012 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter picks up supplies from the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Bridge (T-AOE 10)

A flight deck director signals the pilot of an E-2C Hawkeye to spread his wings
Pacific Ocean, February 4, 2007 - A flight deck director signals the pilot of an E-2C Hawkeye to spread his wings prior to launching from the flight deck aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John

An MV-22 Osprey takes off from the flight deck of USS Peleliu
Pacific Ocean, February 14, 2011 - Aviation boatswains mates observe as an MV-22 Osprey takes off from the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS Peleliu during flight operations

Airman signals to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard USS Momsen
Gulf of Oman, February 8, 2012 - Boatswainas Mate signals to an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Momsen

A helicpter sits on the flight deck of USS James E. Williams
Atlantic Ocean, January 17, 2012 - A helicpter sits on the flight deck of guided missile destroyer USS James E. Williams

An EA-18G Growler is guided into catapult aboard USS George H. W. Bush
Persian Gulf, October 30, 2011 - An EA-18G Growler is guided into catapult aboard USS George H.W. Bush

An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System aboard USS George H. W. Bush
Atlantic Ocean, May 14, 2013 - An X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS) demonstrator aircraft moves across the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush

An MH-60S Sea Hawk lands on the flight deck of USS John C. Stennis
Pacific Ocean, April 24, 2013 - An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter lands on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis

Sailors move a C-2A Greyhound across the flight deck of USS Nimitz
Arabian Sea, August 30, 2013 - Sailors move a C-2A Greyhound across the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

An F / A-18F Super Hornet moves into launch position aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz
A US Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet moves into launch position aboard aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

Sailors scrub the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan
Pacific Ocean, March 23, 2011 - Sailors scrub the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) following a countermeasure wash down to decontaminate the flight deck while

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

Maintenance crews perform preflight checks with F-22 Raptors
49th Fighter Wing Maintenance crews work their end of runway checks with F-22 Raptor crews prior to takeoff at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico

Flight deck crew position an F / A-18E Super Hornet into launch position aboard USS
Flight deck crew position an F/A-18E Super Hornet into launch position aboard aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower. Eisenhower is operating in the 5th fleet area of responsibility off the coast of Pakistan

German Army CH-53G helicopters, Germany
German Army CH-53G helicopters, Rheine-Bentlage Airfield, Germany

Aviation Boatswains Mate launches an F / A-18C Hornet from USS John C. Stennis
January 21, 2013 - Aviation Boatswains Mate launches an F/A-18C Hornet from aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis

Flight deck personnel reposition AV-8B Harrier aircraft aboard USS Essex
South China Sea, October 25, 2011 - Flight deck personnel reposition AV-8B Harrier aircraft aboard amphibious assault ship USS Essex

Sailors hold a fuel line during a helicopter-in-flight refueling exercise
Arabian Sea, December 18, 2012 - Sailors hold a fuel line during a helicopter-in-flight refueling exercise aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay

Sailors guide an E-2C Hawkeye to a steam driven catapult
Pacific Ocean, November 11, 2006 - Sailors guide an E-2C Hawkeye to a steam driven catapult in preparation for launch from the flight deck of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS John C

A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan
February 3, 2007 - A CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter conducts carrier qualification evolution aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) in the Red Sea

An F / A-18E Super Hornet on the flight deck of USS George H. W. Bush
Persian Gulf, October 30, 2011 - An F/A-18E Super Hornet is ready to launch from the flight deck of USS George H.W. Bush

An F / A-18C Hornet prepares to launch from the flight deck of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower
Arabian Sea, August 14, 2012 - An F/A-18C Hornet prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower

A shooter signals the launch of an F / A-18F Super Hornet
Arabian Gulf, February 6, 2012 - A shooter signals the launch of an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln

A shooter signals the launch of an E-2C Hawkeye aboard USS Abraham Lincoln
Arabian Gulf, November 9, 2010 - A shooter aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), signals the launch of an E-2C Hawkeye during Operation New Dawn

U. S. Navy Sailors attach a sling to the belly of an HH-60H Seahawk helicopter
April 6, 2007 - U.S. Navy Sailors attach a sling to the belly of an HH-60H Seahawk helicopter during an ordnance offload on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

An HH-60H Seahawk helicopter prepares to lift a crate of ordnance
April 5, 2007 - An HH-60H Seahawk helicopter prepares to lift a crate of ordnance off of the flight deck on board USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

An Airman guides an E-2C Hawkeye
Pacific Ocean, January 22, 2007 - An aircraft flight deck director guides an E-2C Hawkeye onto a steam propelled catapult for launch off the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John

A shooter signals for the launching of an F / A-18F Super Hornet
Arabian Sea, August 12, 2010 - A shooter signals for the launching of an F/A-18F Super Hornet aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75)

An aviation boatswains mate guides an F / A-18C Hornet into a catapult
Arabian Gulf, June 13, 2012 - An aviation boatswains mate guides an F/A-18C Hornet into a catapult shuttle on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln

An FA-18D Hornet taxis to the catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan
Pacific Ocean, March 9, 2008 - An FA-18D Hornet taxis to the catapult aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during carrier qualifications

Ground crew member checks the Rafael Python missile on a F-16I Sufa jet
Ground crew member checks the Rafael Python air-to-air missile attached to the F-16I Sufa fighter jet

UH-60 Black Hawk flight crew members standby with fire extinguishers on startup, Tikrit, Iraq

An F / A-18F Super Hornet prepares to launch
Red Sea, September 4, 2013 - An F/A-18F Super Hornet prepares to launch off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz

Shooters signal satisfactory final checks of an EA-6B Prowler before launch
Pacific Ocean, September 7, 2011 - Shooters assigned to the Cougars of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron, signal satisfactory final checks of an EA-6B Prowler before it departs the aircraft

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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.