On January 26, 2013, the Island Landing Ceremony of the USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78 took place at the Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) shipyards in Newport News, Virginia. The ceremony represents a significant milestone in the structural completion of the ship. The island will serve as the command center for flight deck operations aboard the first of the next-generation Ford Class of aircraft carriers. Ship Sponsor Susan Ford Bales was joined by Rear Admiral Ted Branch, Commander, Naval Air Force Atlantic; Captain John Meier, USS Gerald R. Ford’s first commanding officer; and NNS President Matt Mulherin.

Ceremonial mementos including coins and aviator wings were placed underneath the island by Susun Ford Bales on behalf of the Ford Family and Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation, Captain John Meier on behalf of the CVN 78 crew and Rear Admiral Ted Branch on behalf of the US Navy.

View all Island Landing Ceremony photos on Flickr

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