Pacific Ocean. (April 2, 2025): It is not just a fashion statement, there is a reason why some Sailors wear green every day. In this photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Hannah Kantner, Sailors decked out in green remove a bolt during maintenance on an F/A-18E Super Hornet in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. The Navy uses a color-coding system to identify crewmembers and their roles on the busy decks of its aircraft carriers.

Green shirts are typically worn by catapult and arresting gear personnel, air wing maintenance personnel, and other maintenance-related roles. They are also involved in ground support including jobs like helicopter landing signaler. 

On a flight deck, the green shirts operate the catapults that launch aircraft and the arresting gear that catches them upon landing. Of all green shirt duties, this is perhaps the most dangerous. These landing crews must have exact timing to prepare multi-million-dollar jets for takeoff and landing and even the tiniest mistake can be fatal.

In addition to working the flight deck, green shirts are also charged with all maintenance duties associated with the carrier’s air wing, including jet fighters and helicopters. They are also responsible for maintaining all equipment that supports aircraft operations, from handheld sensors to tractors that move aircraft around.

On an aircraft carrier, the color you wear says a lot about you and the job you do.