Much goes into flight operations aboard today's modern Navy aircraft carrier. Preparations for a launch very much resemble a well-choreographed ballet. Those involved in the evolution have specific, clearly-defined roles, and are easily recognizable by the color of their jerseys.


Purple

Aviation Fuels


Blue

Plane Handlers
Aircraft elevator Operators
Tractor Drivers
Messengers and Phone Talkers


Green

Catapult and arresting gear crews
Air wing maintenance personnel
Cargo-handling personnel
Ground Support Equipment (GSE) troubleshooters
Hook runners
Photographer's Mates
Helicopter landing signal enlisted personnel (LSE)


Yellow

Aircraft handling officers
Catapult and Arresting Gear Officers
Plane directors


Red

Ordnancemen
Crash and Salvage Crews
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)


Brown

Air wing plane captains
Air wing line leading petty officers


White

Air wing quality control personnel
Squadron plane inspectors
Landing Signal Officer (LSO)
Air Transfer Officers (ATO)
Liquid Oxygen (LOX) crews
Safety Observers
Medical personnel