Oct. 18, 2013
AT THE EDGE
A
Story and photos by MCSA Kelly M. Agee
plane soars through the air and you have the best seat in the house. The deck edge, located on the aft starboard side of the ship, is a location where you can see the aircraft’s belly as it lands on the flight deck. To be an aviation boatswain’s mate (equipment) (ABE) working on the deck edge, Sailors need to know everything about every piece of equipment underneath the flight deck. They must also be on the flight deck and qualified in ship damper, hook runner and deck checker. It is one of the highest qualifications for an ABE. “It’s an ABE’s goal to work here, because here
Vol. 2 Issue 125
MOTIVATED SAILORS WORK AS DECK EDGE OPERATORS you aren’t getting as dirty,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Lorrianne Davis. “At deck edge you don’t have to touch the arresting gear or get grease on you. It’s one of the best places an ABE can be. You’re back there pushing buttons, and as long as you know what you’re doing, you’re good to go.” Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Robert Horvath agrees that working on the deck edge is something ABE’s should strive for. “ABE’s should definitely strive to achieve the deck qualification just because you’re manning up a critical station that only one person gets to do,” said Horvath. “Being there means you’re a top troubleshootContinued on page 3