How the Navy's newest aircraft carrier keeps jets flying with fewer sailors than older carriers

[Tony]

NORFOLK, Virginia — If an aircraft carrier did not have Aviation Boatswain's Mates (Equipment), also known as ABEs, carriers would just be carrying aircraft. Flight operations wouldn't be possible, and one of the carrier's primary missions couldn't be accomplished.

ABEs assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), work with first-in-class technology known as Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Ford's ABEs are specifically charged with learning these new systems and paving the way for future Ford-class carriers.