Navy to christen aircraft carrier USS Gerald Ford
Navy to Christen Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford
The Navy will christen its newest aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford, Saturday, Nov. 9, during an 11 a.m. EST ceremony at the Huntington-Ingalls Industries Newport News shipyard, Newport News, Va.
Senator Carl Levin, chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee will deliver the ceremony's principal address. Susan Ford Bales, daughter of the 38th President Gerald R. Ford, will serve as the ship's sponsor, break a champagne bottle against a plate welded to the hull, and officially christen the ship Gerald R. Ford.
The Gerald R. Ford, designated CVN 78, honors the late president who guided the nation through the end of the Vietnam War and the Bicentennial of American Independence. President Ford served aboard USS Monterey (CVL-26) in the Pacific during World War II, and was the first President to serve aboard an aircraft carrier.
"The christening of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) marks an important milestone in both the life of this ship and the development of our future fleet; a fleet built on the innovation that makes our Navy and Marine Corps team the finest expeditionary fighting force the world has ever known," said Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.
Gerald R. Ford is the lead ship of the Gerald R. Ford class, the first new aircraft carrier design in more than 40 years. The Gerald R. Ford class will eventually replace all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers. The Ford class is designed to provide increased warfighting capability with approximately 700 fewer crewmembers for decreased total ownership cost.
Ford will be the first aircraft carrier to deploy with the electromagentic aircraft launching system, advanced arresting gear, dual band radar, and all electric auxiliaries. Gerald R. Ford is designed for a 50-year service life with one mid-life refueling complex overhaul.
To view the ceremony via live webcast, please go to: www.navy.mil
November 7th, 2013 at 7:14 AM ^
The late President Ford and his family. It's nice to honor former Presidents and famous statesmen in this way. Unfortunately, there are very few people of Gerald Ford's caliber in today's government.
November 7th, 2013 at 7:20 AM ^
Ltn. Desmond Morgan?
November 7th, 2013 at 7:22 AM ^
It is my hope that whomever makes these decisions gives serious consideration to making the ship's motto "The Leaders and Best".
November 7th, 2013 at 8:38 AM ^
...Craig. You missed the boat, so to speak. Do note the color scheme and the 38 stars for the 38th president.
November 7th, 2013 at 8:55 AM ^
I always love the little touches they have on ship's crests. In this case I'm digging the nod to the fact that G. Ford was an Eagle Scout.
November 7th, 2013 at 10:19 AM ^
You know what, that's actually even better. In terms of the man, that's pretty much dead solid perfect.
I also like, that even if accidental, the L in the signature is pointing at west Michigan.
November 7th, 2013 at 1:50 PM ^
Those could be as Navy colors too...but still pretty cool.
November 7th, 2013 at 8:26 AM ^
Plus that tub will have a shelf life of a least 40 years.
November 7th, 2013 at 8:45 AM ^
...design, I direct your attention to this graphic that shows some of the significant technical improvements in the Ford Class over the Nimitz class. She's an engineering marvel.
November 7th, 2013 at 11:43 AM ^
there is just enough room on that flight deck to lay down field turf and host Michigan vs Navy. Of course the FOD walkdown afterward would be a royal pain. Also, not sure where the fans would sit ... barges with scaffolding and bleachers on either side I guess.
November 7th, 2013 at 9:06 AM ^
Meh. Needs more Norfleet. He's gonna break one any day now.
November 7th, 2013 at 9:33 AM ^
F-35Cs? Since when can they land on a carrier? Better paint more Super Hornets...
November 7th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
...and LM fixing the F-35C tailhook problem, eh?
November 7th, 2013 at 2:14 PM ^
a fix is in work, supposedly.
In order to land, however, one must be able to take off, and take off in all types of weather, not just beautiful sunny days.
The F-35C Lightning cannot even fly within 25 miles of lightning out of fear of an internal explosion! How's that for irony?
November 7th, 2013 at 2:17 PM ^
...the other models as well?
November 7th, 2013 at 6:24 PM ^
The F-35B, the STOVL variant (short take off and landing)... was completing Sea Trials this past summer off of the U.S.S. Wasp. Still a long way to go for these airframes though. However, it's to be expected with a new weapons platform. The F-18 had issues of it's own, and eventually they worked everything out. Lets hope it's the same with the F-35. Otherwise, we're going to have some serious problems down the road.
November 7th, 2013 at 9:22 PM ^
I believe so. The OBIGGS system is being redesigned, so until it's complete and retrofit kits deployed, they have to avoid lightning.
November 8th, 2013 at 4:34 AM ^
Great, now the terrorists will know to attack us during thunderstorms.
November 7th, 2013 at 8:59 AM ^
November 7th, 2013 at 9:15 AM ^
For the ship's christening:
http://beerpulse.com/2013/11/founders-brewing-creates-special-label-for…
November 7th, 2013 at 5:27 PM ^
That's pretty damned cool.
November 7th, 2013 at 10:35 AM ^
November 7th, 2013 at 10:37 AM ^
November 7th, 2013 at 10:42 AM ^
the 4 gigantic turbo-lift propellers.
Does Shield just bolt them on later?
November 7th, 2013 at 12:00 PM ^
Propellers are so old school....
November 7th, 2013 at 12:07 PM ^
on someone tripping down the gangway?
November 7th, 2013 at 12:30 PM ^
The OOD will probably send them to there rack to sleep it off if.
November 7th, 2013 at 1:28 PM ^
Simple accident, but SNL/Chevy Chase made it famous.
November 7th, 2013 at 2:58 PM ^
Got turned to this
November 7th, 2013 at 1:53 PM ^
One of the training aircraft carriers that was stationed on the great lakes during WWII was named the USS Wolverine. I believe there used to be an LST named USS Washtenaw County. I am going to guess there may be a Destroyer or Frigate named after a Michigan person. There is also the USS Michigan (former Ballistic Missile submarine now cruise missile sub).
November 7th, 2013 at 2:11 PM ^
definitely in my future.
November 7th, 2013 at 4:38 PM ^
I read the headline. Immediate internal monologue: "Fuck yeah they are." Then, immediately thereafter "God, it's great to hear something good again." Third thought: "Must share feeling."
Internetz.