NORFOLK, Va. (Aug. 16, 2024) -- The Sailors and crew of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), opened its first United Service Organization (USO) afloat game room, library, and officer’s lounge, today aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier.
“For the past 83 years, arguably no one has contributed more to the morale of Sailors, Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen than the USO,” said Ford’s commanding officer Capt. Rick Burgess. “This is going to give our Sailors an opportunity to make the ship a home away from home.”
Personnel Specialist 2nd Class Gilbert Lopez, of Naples, Florida, assigned to Ford’s supply department, looks forward to building community with other Sailors. “I’m excited for us to have a place to lay back...
(NORFOLK) – The “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron NINE (HSC 9) returned to their homeport of Norfolk, VA on January 16, 2024, following a more than eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG12) to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility.
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – “Team Factory” of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 returned to their home base Naval Air Station Oceana on January 16, 2024, following an eight-month deployment with Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 to the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operation.
The 78th U.S. Secretary of the Navy, the Honorable Carlos Del Toro visited the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Jan.15, 2024 to thank and congratulate its crew on the completion of an eight-month scheduled deployment.
One flag that few ships earn the right to fly is the Silver Enlisted Surface Warfare Excellence pennant, which signifies 80 percent of all eligible Sailors with Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialists (ESWS) as their primary designator, rank E-5 through E-9, qualify in ESWS.
The pennant will be flown by the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) for the first time in the ship’s history upon its return to homeport at...
The U.S. Navy’s largest and most advanced aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), and embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, transited the Strait of Gibraltar and exited the Mediterranean Sea after conducting operations in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations, Jan. 5, 2024.
As Sailors aboard the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) serve during the ship’s first deployment, the training department continues its mission, training Sailors for general quarters, introductory damage control qualifications tests, administering exams, coordinating travel to and from the ship, and hosting orientations for the more than 4,000 people aboard the ship.
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, approaches the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during routine flight operations, Nov. 8, 2024. The Gerald. R. Ford Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Atlantic Ocean completing Group Sail. Group Sail is the first at-sea integrated phase training event during a routine deployment training cycle. It is designed to challenge the Gerald R. Ford CSG’s ability to use the capabilities of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, and embarked Information Warfare team as a cohesive Strike Group to meet Navy and Joint Warfighting requirements that increases war-fighting capability and tactical proficiency across all domains. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Hector Rodriguez)
Sailors assigned to the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), prepare food and decorations, and eat with their families and shipmates in the aft galley during a Thanksgiving Day meal, Nov. 28, 2024. Gerald R. Ford is currently pier side at Naval Station Norfolk conducting routine maintenance. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Tajh Payne)
Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, was born July 14, 1913, in Omaha, NE. The future President grew up in a close-knit family, excelled scholastically and athletically at South High School in Grand Rapids, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in November 1927.
Ford attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he majored in economics and political science. An extremely gifted athlete, FORD was voted the Wolverine’s most valuable player in 1934, with opportunities to play professional football.
Ford chose the legal profession over a professional football career, graduating with a law degree from Yale in 1941. After the United States entered the war during World War II, Ford received a commission...
