EA-3B of VQ-1 about to trap aboard USS Midway (CV-41). The ship was operating in the Pacific Ocean southeast of Japan.

Originally built as a F-4B and later converted to F-4N. In the background the barricade has been raised in preparation for the recovery of a low fuel state EA-3B Skywarrior assigned to VQ-1 and operating from USS Midway. The barricade arrestment was successful with minimal damage to the a/c.

Operating off Okinawa, a VA-56 A-7A is about to trap aboard USS Midway. Personnel across the deck are Landing Signal Officers (LSO) who monitor approaches and assist pilots with the safe recovery of their aircraft. The LSOs are pilots from the squadrons aboard the ship and are specially trained for this duty.

F-4N in tension moments before launch. Note that the F-4 used the bridle launch method, the bridle cables seen running from the shuttle behind the nose gear up to hooks located at both wing roots. The F-4 nose gear extends for catapult launches so the wing has more angle of attack. This lowers the takeoff speed thus allowing launches within the capabilities of the catapult. This F-4N is carrying two live AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles. White object in lower left is a video camera recording the launch.

The catapult launch bar attached to the nose gear is in the catapult shuttle in preparation for launching. The white device in the lower center of the photo is a television camera used to record the launches. This A-7A is configured as an airborne tanker.

VA-56 A-7A being directed to catapult aboard USS Midway. Loadout is 6 Mk.82 500# live bombs (3 under each wing.) Ship conducting flight operations off Okinawa.

VMCJ-1 EA-6A tensioned in the starboard catapult aboard USS Midway during operations off Okinawa. In the lower right corner is a member of the catapult crew with the weight board. The weight board is shown to each pilot before launch to verify that the take off weight setting being entered in the catapult control is correct.

Erickson carries out vertical replenishment work for the US Navy's Military Sealift Command. Assigned to the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew, this Puma is seen delivering ordnance to the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan south of Japan. Photo from: US Navy