I hope i am wrong and you are all correct- it sure as hell looked like they were mimicking the fag flag.
I have never seen anything like that before when they would show sailors on the deck of a US carrier.
I didn’t see it but I think he’s correct. Having worn a red vest it my earlier life. I would guess anybody working on deck would be wearing a color when on flight duty. It’s his you can look at a guy and instantly know what kind of job he’s responsible for.
Sailors say the worst time was always Thursday, that is when they drew lots to see whose turn it was in the barrel.