Original Message ----- Conditions were too severe. Required axial deck pitch forward to present landing surface to a good approach (testimony of one pilot). Bad decision to launch. There was no compelling reason to go. Poor leadership. My opinion."

NIght Carrier Landings
Two great videos. Two short clips from a Discovery series on Naval Aviation which played on TV about a year or so ago.
This is very unnerving, landing with deck pitching 30 feet, at night, low on fuel.
Incredible. You will never forget viewing this. I have seen a lot of aviation emails but the two videos below are undoubtedly the best.
Turn on your sound and go full screen.
I guarantee this will definitely hold your attention. These videos show the difference between Naval Aviation and any other kind. The links below are two outstanding videos about F-18 carrier operations aboard the USS Nimitz during weather that causes a severely pitching deck, which you can see in the videos. It's more dangerous than most combat missions and the tension in the pilots and crew is very apparent. Watch Part 1 first, then Part 2. Great videos.

Part One
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=4gGMI8d3vLs

Part Two
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=S0yj70QbBzg

I bet thee are several here that can relate to these.

There was a TV series called "Carrier" on PBS about a year ago. I think this may have been taken from that.
Peter.

This video contains content from PBS, who has blocked it in your country, on copyright grounds. Kind of crap is that?