Flight ops occur during RAS evolutions. Many factors may determine this event for ships concerned. Any aircraft NOT BEING MOVED anywhere on the ship is always tied down. When being moved they are followed by deck crew with chocks. A classic case of a 'half-tied down A4G in the process of being moved by a flight deck tractor and aircraft handlers' went over the side in the big ditch between Oz & KiwiLand in 1979. There were other factors however the angry sea was part of the mix. Soon after the LARGE rotating RADAR on top of the island of MELBOURNE fell off, luckily over the stbd side and not onto the flight deck. The XO of a Brit Ship was lost in the raging storms during TASMINEX 79. The VF-805 Squadron 'brake man' ABATWL Krenn in the cockpit went over the side also - picked up by nearby destroyer rescue swimmer OK. He had a float coat. YAY!
