Why did high-tempo Vietnam War carrier operations suffer major fires and accidents?
Short answerMore flight cycles mean more exposure to accidents, while haste introduces mistakes and injuries that interrupt other work.
NotesA high rate of flight operations creates repeated opportunities for accidents. Rushing adds another problem: a person running across a cluttered hangar in a seaway can fall and draw several colleagues away from their own work. Medical assistance, escort to sick bay, and the accident report can consume far more time than running saved. Even without rushing or mistakes, a small risk on every flight accumulates as the number of flights rises. Deliberate working routines therefore support sustained operations as well as safety.