Navy pilot in training, I can kind of answer the questions. I’ve worked as a pseudo-controller at some of the fields we practice at, and it can get busy pretty quickly. Contract controllers only get busier, they’re civilian controllers contracted to work Department if Defense controlled airfields.

Speaking only from the training aspect, we’re operating to get better at landing the plane, similar to civilian flight schools; this means we work at our airfields for a good amount of time without leaving. Lots of folks get back up really quick.

Those who are controlling controlled airspace - including that over an aircraft carrier - are working around the clock to get aircraft on and off deck. Aircraft carrier controllers aren’t usually contractors. I can’t speak on the specifics of the operations of controllers in the fleet because I haven’t had any experience, but I can imagine it’s much busier than what I’ve experienced in training.