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It was fascinating watching the procedure as they recovered the Super Hornet, then immediately turned it around and prepared to launch it back into the air again. They taxied to the very back of the flight deck before turning around. It seemed the jet was hanging over the edge it was so far back. It was then taxied back up into position when I noticed the blast shield being raised just behind the engines. Green shirts rushed around the jet ensuring everything was ready to go, and I saw one even hold onto one of the exhaust nozzle blades with the engine still on.
Everyone moved clear of the jet, and signals were given to ready for launch. The engines roared to full power, just feet away, then in the blink of an eye, the aircraft was hurled down the end of the catapult and back into the air again. As he flew back into the sky I realized he was not coming back. Captain Kuehhas came over the speaker system and invited us all out onto the full flight deck to watch the air show.
(Continued on page 26)
Below: A green shirt guides the Super Hornet into position on the catapult.