

TrumanĪircraft directors, as their name implies, are responsible for directing all aircraft movement on the hangar and flight decks. The normal working jersey color of an air boss is yellow, but an air boss may wear any color jersey he pleases, as he represents everyone working on the flight deck, hangar bay, and aviation fuels personnel.Īn aviation boatswain's mate taxies an aircraft during flight operations on USS Harry S. This officer is typically a commander and is normally a former CVW squadron commander selected for promotion to captain. From his perch in Primary Flight Control (PriFly, or the "tower"), he, along with his assistant, maintains visual control of all aircraft operating in the carrier control zone (surface to and including 2,500 feet (760 m), within a circular limit defined by 5 nautical miles (9.3 km 5.8 mi) horizontal radius from the carrier), and aircraft desiring to operate within the control zone must obtain his approval prior to entry. For the commander of all United States Navy naval aviation units sometimes referred to as the "air boss", see Commander, Naval Air Forces.Īlso known as the air boss, the air officer (along with his assistant, the miniboss) is responsible for all aspects of operations involving aircraft including the hangar deck, the flight deck, and airborne aircraft out to 5 nautical miles (9.3 km 5.8 mi) from the carrier. These sailors in their colored jerseys are referred to as "Rainbow Sideboys". Typically two of each colored jersey stand opposite each other in front of the entrance to the ship to render honors to the DV. When a Distinguished Visitor (DV) arrives on the ship by air, a call to "Muster the Rainbow Sideboys" is made. This keeps in line with the traditional khaki color of CPO and officer service uniforms. Khaki pants – Denotes chief petty, warrant and commissioned officers.Navy blue pants – Denotes junior sailors and petty officers.Rank is also denoted by the pattern of pants worn by flight deck crew: Medical personnel (white with Red Cross emblem)Įveryone associated with the flight deck has a specific job, which is indicated by the color of his deck jersey, float coat and helmet.Air wing plane captain – air wing squadron personnel who prepare aircraft for flight.

Chocks and chains – entry-level flight-deck workers under the yellowshirts.Helicopter landing signal enlisted personnel (LSE).Ground support equipment (GSE) troubleshooter.Plane director – responsible for all movement of all aircraft on the flight/hangar deck.US aircraft carrier: jack colors and tasks
