Vulture’s Row

Front Row Seats to the Primary Objective

Not Just a Job, an Adventure

A former shipmate recently posted a decades-old photo of ten young men on a flight deck, backs against some storage lockers alongside an aircraft carrier superstructure. Recognizing himself, another shipmate commented: “Living the dream and we didn’t even know it. Best job in the world.” Participating in high-tempo, forward-deployed shipboard flight operations was no ordinary job, especially for me, a city kid who had never flown until joining the Navy. Two years later I and these other greenhorns were responsible for maintaining, repairing, launching, and recovering multi-million dollar warplanes on land and at sea, day and night, in all types of weather. As the contemporary recruiting ads promised, it was not just a job, but an adventure.

The Flight Deck Ballet

It’s been called “the flight deck ballet” and”synchronized chaos.” Among the more dangerous work environments on earth, an aircraft carrier flight deck is a scene of constant and colorful motion. With space at a premium, aircraft are continually re-positioned to and from the landing area and catapults in anticipation of the next operational sequence. We helped execute incredibly complex maneuvers and witnessed routine but extraordinary sights. Noise and steam obscure hearing and sight-lines as jet engines and propellers from numerous aircraft blow their exhaust in multiple directions, wings fold and unfold, tailhooks, launchbars, arresting gear, catapults, and jet blast deflectors rise and fall in choreographed motion, and dozens of flight deck crew scamper about to perform their individual responsibilities. Now picture all this at night, an F-14 being catapulted off the deck with engines on full after-burner while you attend to your duties. An adventure indeed.

Vulture’s Row: Front Row Seats

The vast majority of the ship’s crew work in support roles, supplying critical services to the mission but seldom setting foot abovedecks. These shipmates were and are always welcome on Vulture’s Row, viewing platforms on the carrier superstructure overlooking the flight deck. There they have front row seats to the ship’s primary purpose and, arguably, the most prominent component of the Navy’s mission.

The Heavenly Ballet of Love

God’s very being is love. By sending his only Son and the Spirit of Love in the fullness of time, God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange.

Catechism of the Catholic Church #221

Though the analogy is admittedly shaky, the Kingdom of God is somewhat similar. During the week each of us (please God) are contributing to Christ’s mission in our own unique ways, though few of us do so prominently. At Mass, the earth-bound harbinger to the eternal Wedding Supper of the Lamb, we “Lift up our hearts” (or better, we are lifted up) in love to the Heavenly Liturgy with the angels, saints, and our ancestors in the faith. In a way, we the Church Militant gaze with love upon Jesus in the Eucharist from “Vulture’s Row,” while the Church Triumphant gazes upon and loves Him in the Heavenly Ballet, the goal and primary purpose of our short lives.