Career Overview
Operate and maintain catapults, arresting gear, and associated mechanical, hydraulic, and control systems involved primarily in aircraft carrier takeoff and landing operations. Duties include installing and maintaining visual landing aids; testing and maintaining launch and recovery equipment using electric and mechanical test equipment and hand tools; activating airfield arresting systems, such as crash barriers and cables, during emergency landing situations; directing aircraft launch and recovery operations using hand or light signals; and maintaining logs of airplane launches, recoveries, and equipment maintenance.
Alternate Job Titles
- Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment Maintenance Technician
- Aircraft Launch and Recovery Technician
- Arresting Gear Operator
- Aviation Boatswain's Mate
- Aviation Boatswain's Mate, Launching & Recovery Equipment
- C-13 Catapult Operator
- Expeditionary Airfield Systems Technician
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.