on the deck

on the deck

1. (aviation) Flying at a very low altitude.
   • 1961, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services, Hearings ... on Sundry Legislation Affecting the Naval and Military Establishments (issues 10–32, page 1340)

     The HAWK is one of the Army's newest air defense weapons. It is capable of carrying a modern warhead and of destroying attackers flying "on the deck" at such ranges as to insure effective protection of defended areas.

   • 2008, Sydney Sharpe, Staying in the Game: The Remarkable Story of Doc Seaman, page 42:

     The fighters were flying “on the deck” — as close to the water as possible — to avoid detection.

2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see on,‎ the,‎ deck.

• on deck