I remember hooking up the tomcats to the catapults. Feeling the suction of the intakes as it went into military power, following the catapults last phase of operation... "Tension" before the point of no return "Fire". It went on tension you did your final check of the launch bar/hold back bar as the Tomcat started to rev up till it was on military power and soon after that you were running out of there. The fighter went into afterburners and off it went.
The Tomcat to me is and will allways be the most beautiful fighter ever build. My favorite Squadron VF-84 / VF-103 "Jolly Rogers"
I've had dreams regularly..by that I mean every 2 or 3 months...of launching aircraft of my old carrier.. I think that when I die..and I strongly believe this and hope.. that my spirit will dwell on that carrier... " The USS Forrestal CV-59
Them were some sweet and beautifull memories that I will allways treasure and take to my grave.