NORFOLK – The world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), hosted a one-day Friends and Family Day cruise, April 26.
More than 1,700 friends and family members experienced the ship’s air power and daily underway operations, as well as the Sailors’ teamwork and professionalism.
“The crew could not be more proud to show their loved ones just what it takes to be a Sailor aboard Gerald R. Ford,” said Capt. Christopher Williams, Gerald R. Ford’s executive officer. “This is just a small way we can thank our family and friends for all their sacrifice and dedication to support their Sailors.”
Friends and family were invited to learn more about the ship’s capabilities through an interactive damage...
04.28.2025 | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
Courtesy Story
CSSN Nicholas Murphy reflects on the adversity he overcame growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood and his appreciation for the opportunities he's been afforded by the U.S. Navy.
The U.S. Navy is a melting pot of beliefs and practices that reflect the experiences of Sailors across generations. Superstitions, which have been adopted and passed down throughout the Navy’s history, have served as an important means of understanding the dangers and uncertainties of life at sea.
A feature story focusing on Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Gabrielle Jensen and her passion for art that lead for her to illustrate a mural on the USS Gerald R. Ford's hangar bay.
Capt. Richard Burgess, commanding officer of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), observes an air show on the flight deck with Sailors and their guests during a friends and family day cruise, April 26, 2025. Gerald R. Ford’s friends and family day cruises provide Sailors an opportunity to showcase the carrier strike group’s capabilities and daily life aboard their ship.(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gladjimi Balisage)
Carrier Strike Group 12, Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group delivers combat capability from seabed to space, while providing global maneuver capability to the national command authority. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Gladjimi Balisage)
CAPT Rick Burgess, a native of Bellevue, WA, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1998.
Operational assignments include tours with Fighter Squadron (VF) 31, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63); and two tours with VFA-103, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS George Washington (CVN 73).
Shore assignments include service as Action Officer in the House Liaison Office, Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA); TOPGUN Instructor with Navy Fighter Weapons School; Strike Fighter Placement Officer (PERS-433B) with Navy Personnel Command (NPC); Branch Chief, Global Missile Defense...
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...
