Curious About F/A-18 Carrier Flybys and Munitions Loading Procedures

[CougarFFW04]

Hi everyone

I have two questions about something that’s been puzzling me for a while.

In many videos (like the Hornet Ball compilations), you often see F/A-18s (and other aircraft) flying at low altitude and high speed — roughly 800–1200 ft and around 350 knots, I’d guess, since the HUD isn’t visible in most of those clips — passing along the port side of the carrier. This doesn’t seem to match any procedure I’m familiar with, whether it’s entering the carrier control zone, Case I/II/III departures or recoveries, or a standard SHB pattern. So I’m wondering: is this some kind of special or less-known procedure, or just a “flyby” done for the video on special occasions?

Also, in the same type of videos, you often see ordnance crew members manually holding and guiding munitions while loading them onto the pylons. Don’t they normally use hoists or lift trucks for that? If such equipment exists, why isn’t it used in those cases?

Thanks in advance for any insight!

[NoJoy]

Without any evidence at my hands - I'm pretty sure those 'Ball-Video-Low-Passes' are just for the show when they've finished the tour e.g. Further I think there're always pilots how did their last flight with the tour so they get their chance to end with a <profanity> hot break or at least with a low pass.

And for the ordnance - guess they lift what they can with their hands as long as they'd not break their backs. But getting help with lifters getting those 2000 pounders on the jet...

Just my 2 cents