In the navy what do they mean when they say to pilots "call the ball"?

Question

the lso says to the pilot call the ball whats that mean? is it like if you see the carrier?

Answer 1

I'm not in the Navy but to me that's the same as "call it".  That's what me and my friends say.  In other words B4 you shoot, tell which ball is going into which pocket.  And if you're going to do a combination shot you must tell which ball is going to hit which ball into which pocket.

Answer 2

it refers to the landing system lights which at a distance look like a ball.it means that they can see the lights and are in the correct path.

Answer 3

you see the lights that define the correct glide path to land on the carrier.  The trick is to stay on the glide path if the ship is dealing with rough seas at the time..

Answer 4

I'm in the Navy and in aviation and I have never heard this term.

Answer 5

G.W. Bush to USS Lincoln:"I have the balls"