1st Battlestar Launch in South Texas-Now Part of the 7th Fleet.

It has more than 600 men and women assigned. The department ensures the safe and efficient launch and recovery of aircraft and is divided into five major divisions. Flight Deck Control is responsible for handling, spotting, and movement of aircraft on the flight and hangar decks.

This Department is supervised by the Deck Officer (Air Boss), who must, at all times, have current and complete status of all aircraft on board. The Deck Officer also has two Assistant Deck Officers (Mini Boss), the Deck Officer and Assistant Deck Officers rotate eight hour shifts to maintain crew readiness and integrity. Along with the Deck Officer, there are Six Flight Deck Control Officers who rotate four hour shifts so that the Battlestar Mjolnir is always in an alert position to scramble our Vipers and Raptors at a moments notice.

The disposition of "Go-Down" Aircraft before or during launch cycle is given. Handling crew supervisors (Directors) are given specifics verbally and via spotting cards. After the launch, remaining aircraft in landing are moved. The basic spotting order for aircraft that have recovered is similar to the launch spotting cards. As an exact landing sequence cannot be determined, the aircraft are spotted in a feasible location as they come aboard.

"Hard Down" Aircraft are usually sent to the hangar deck and are replaced with "up" aircraft from below. Re-spotting of aircraft on the flight/hanger deck is an exercise in cooperation between personnel of Tylium Refueling and rearming crews, squadron maintenance personnel and plane handlers.

Red Division is tasked with the security and movement of aircraft on the flight deck. Included in this is the Crash and Salvage crew who are the flight deck's fire department and rescue team. The Red Division handles, directs, moves aircraft on flight deck. It also operates aircraft handling/servicing equipment and mans the crash/salvage team. Red Division also responds to medical emergencies on the flight deck.