Landing signals officers (LSOs) supported Commander, Naval Air Training Detachment (CNATRA) as the Navy's newest pilots flying T-45C Goshawks completed carrier qualifications aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), Feb. 6.

"It's rewarding the first time anyone lands on a carrier," said Lt. Anthony Tordini, a LSO attached to CNATRA. "It's unlike anything else. For most of the students, the first time they land on a carrier is the first time they've been on a carrier. That's how it was for me."

LSOs are pilots who stand on the platform, called the LSO platform, toward the aft end of the flight deck and guide pilots down during the last seconds of their approach. Tordini's role as an LSO is crucial for pilots during their landings.

"We're responsible for the safe and expeditious recovery of aircraft on the carrier," said Tordini. "We try to keep the pilots safe and make sure they land properly each time."

LSOs train student pilots for a year in the field to get to them to the point where they're proficient enough to attempt a landing on an aircraft carrier. Once the student pilots fly to the ship, LSOs are there to walk them through every step- critiquing, briefing, and debriefing them on all the things they're doing right and wrong. When the students are flying, it is the LSO's job to give them the correct calls over the radio so that the student pilot is properly guided onto the glide slope or center line and that the correct course is maintained.

Approximately 18 seconds before the aircraft touches down on the flight deck, the LSO calls out "Roger, ball" to signal to everyone that the pilot is cleared to land.

"It's rewarding for us to give back to the new pilots who are in the same position as we were not so long ago," said Lt. Keith Jeronimus, an instructor and qualifying LSO assigned to the "Golden Eagles" of Training Squadron (VT) 22. "This job is about making sure the pilots can safely complete their mission."

LSOs serve on all carriers across the fleet providing knowledge and safety to all crew members.

"They serve as the safety for flight for these guys," said Cmdr. David Burmeister, Abraham Lincoln's air boss. "They keep the aircrew safe in the aircraft, as well as the aircraft itself, and us on the ship so we don't damage equipment or someone else on the flight deck."

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