The air is filled with noise; the sound of the wind, the sound of tractor engines, the thwomp and whine of the catapult as it is tested, the sound of the voice: "Prepare to launch aircraft." The pace quickens, just as the first streaks of dawn appear in the

sky. Pilots and plane captains make last minute checks of the airplanes. Portable starters are moved into position. "Start engines

The whine of a dozen jet engines adds to the sound of the wind. The first plane moves to the catapult. The pilot checks his instruments and watches the catapult officer for important signals. From the bridge, the captain watches the scene, noting with satisfaction the precision with which the flight-deck crew goes about the morning's business.

"Launch aircraft." The jet engine is turned up to full power; the catapult fires and the 40,000 pound airplane is hurled into the sky. Within seconds it is miles away from the carrier; within seconds, it is followed by the other waiting planes.

The sound of the jet engines fades quickly in the distance; the sound of the wind fades as the carrier turns to another course. But the day's activity on the flight deck has only just begun.

"Green board, sir..." All hatches are closed. "Thirty feet, sir..."

"Very well. Level off at 125 feet "125 feet, aye sir... Indicating 125 feet, sir."

"Very well. Blow negative."

negative is blown, sir."

"Ahead one-third."

If it is a ballistic missile submarinethe size of a World War II cruiser and carrying 16 incredibly powerful POLARIS missiles, it may be moving out to take up an undisclosed station somewhere in the oceans of the world. Hidden from enemy eyes, protected from enemy attack, the POLARIS boat will spend 60 days at a time, underwater, waiting. Waiting for a day which every man aboard hopes will never come a day when the missiles will be fired in earnest. But if that day should come, the POLARIS boats are ready. Because the people of the submarine Navy keep them that way.