I'm dating a jet pilot?

I don't talk about the Navy much (maybe ever?), mostly because I don't have a lot of nice things to say about it and I don't want to spend my time on here complaining :)  While I have A LOT of complaints about the Navy, I also know that we are incredibly lucky that J. has job security, especially in this economy.  And the Navy is a pretty big part of our life, so I guess it warrants a post or two every now and then ... especially when I actually have something nice to say about it!  

J. is thisclose to finishing his training and being assigned to a permanent squadron.  The last thing he has to do is go the carrier and do his carrier qualifications ... i.e. land his jet on the top deck of the carrier.  As you can probably imagine, they spend a few weeks practicing this skill before heading out to the actual carrier!  The other day I was able to go out to the base and watch him practice with some of the other Navy wives/girlfriends/fiances/family members so I thought I'd share some pictures with you all.  Even I can admit that it was pretty cool.  I have better pictures and a video on my big camera, but J. just took that to San Diego with him so I will save those for a later post.

One of the planes coming in to "bounce" ... land and take off again immediately.

Taking off again

J. coming in to bounce

And taking off ...

Can you see him in the middle of the clouds?

If you ever have the chance to watch jets or an airshow or bouncing or something along these lines, make sure you wear earplugs!  It gets VERY noisy!