Catching the number 4 wire at the TR. Aircraft usually go for the number 3 wire. Pilots are aiming for that wire, as it is the safest/most effective one. They never aim for the 1st because that one is dangerously close to the edge of deck. If they come in too low on the 1st wire, they could easily crash into the stern of the ship. It is acceptable to snag the 2nd or 4th wire, but for a pilot to move up through the ranks, he/she has to be able to catch the 3rd wire consistently. In the squadron room the achievement of each pilot is logged, catching too many times the wrong ones cost you beers

Three Tomcats parked on the rear side of the massive flight deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71).

CAG bird on the cat of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during the sundown cruise of the Tomcat.

Tomcat of Fighting Squadron (VF) 31 "Tomcatters" launched from the USS Theordore Roosevelt (CVN-71) while deployed in the Persian Gulf.

Launch!

F-14D resting on the deck of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during its sundown cruise.

Later preserved at Oakland Aviation Museum, California.

VF-32 "Swordsmen" tomcat over the CVN-69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower flight deck.

This Desert Shield and Desert Storm Tomcat is now on display at the .Aviation Wing of the Marietta Museum of History.

VF-32 "Swordmen" CAG plane over the CV-67 USS John F. Kennedy flight deck.

The Swordsmen CAG bird in full colour. Rarely seen, this Tomcat was launched from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) with a flag to shoot at. The flag, seen lying on the deck next to the the Tomcat, was attached to the F-14s rear end (to the tailhook construction) with a very long rope. When the Tomcat was launched, the rope followed the aircraft, as well as the flag. Other aircraft were then able to shoot at the flag during air-to-air-training.

Tomcat on board the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)