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The Carriers - Rainbow Wardrobe - a guide to the color-coded jerseys on an aircraft carrier


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.

sailor dressed in purple jersey handling fuel hoses


Purple
Aviation Fuels [nickname: "Grapes"]
sailor in blue jersey driving aircraft handling vehicle
Blue
Plane Handlers
Aircraft elevator Operators
Tractor Drivers
Messengers and Phone Talkers
sailors in green jerseys 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)
Officer in yellow jersey signaling aircraft to take-off

Yellow
Aircraft handling officers
Catapult and Arresting Gear Officers
Plane directors
ordnance handler in red jersey

Red
Ordnancemen
Crash and Salvage Crews
Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD)
sailor in brown jersey


Brown
Air wing plane captains
Air wing line leading petty officers
sailors in white jerseys watch take-off 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