With a rumbling and clanking, a giant roar echoed through the ship, sending vibrations down through the hull. Like a sigh, the remaining steam crept up through the catapult troughs, wafting and dissipating in the humid air above.

An aircraft had just been launched off the flight deck thanks to the engineers of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower's (CVN 69) (Ike) catapult shop.

Machinist's mates who work in the catapult shop endure long hours and exhausting conditions to ensure every aircraft is launched safely and effectively. On the surface of the flight deck, temperatures can easily soar to well over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. About 20 feet below the baking steel, in the twists and turns of the machinery that drives the catapults, is where they perform their work.

"You learn to love it," said Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Tommy McGehee. "Knowing that every jet that launched safely and securely was because of the Sailors in my shop and the aviation boatswain's mates (equipment) in arresting gear is a great feeling of accomplishment."

For the tight-knit group of about 10 people who work in Ike's Cat Shop, grease and sweat is just a normal part of the daily routine.

"We wake up, check the catapults, and walk the spaces to make sure they're good to go," said Machinist's Mate 1st Class Mark Leinaar. "We have watchstanders that stand watch 24 hours a day to make sure there is steam going to the catapults so we can launch the aircraft."

Steam is taken from the reactor, which is then pressurized in an accumulator. In the accumulator, which can best be described as a water bottle only halfway filled, the pressurized steam that is held at 520 pounds per square inch heats the water and gets pushed into the launch valve, which acts as a spring to launch the jet.

The process of sending the steam from the reactors all the way up to the catapults is no easy feat, but the engineers have a well-trained and disciplined team. The team's hard work is matched only by their unwavering level of camaraderie.

"I really enjoy the people I work with," said Machinist's Mate 3rd Class Arnelle Wardnurse. "I love working with V-2 and with the Sailors in my shop. It wouldn't be the same if we weren't as close as we are."

As Ike carves its way in to the next area of operations, the catapult shop is well-equipped and prepared to handle their immense workload as a team.

"It's the same thing the [commanding officer] always says," said McGehee. "Take care of each other. As long as we take care of each other, everything will be fine."

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