John F. Meier, Commanding Officer of Pre-commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), poses for a group shot with newly arrived Ford Sailors. The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford is making progress, the Navy says. Latest Videos EMALS Gerald R. Ford Museum More Videos... Local Stories Ford's Advanced Weapons Elevators Closer to Certification. Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) is the first new design for an aircraft carrier since USS Nimitz (CVN 68). Modly embarked Ford after the ship successfully completed aircraft compatibility testing to discuss Ford’s progress and to see the ship operate at sea. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) ... Navy coins, and aviator wings from its first commanding officer. NORFOLK (NNS) -- President Donald J. Trump commissioned the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) at a commissioning ceremony July 22. John F. Meier, an Export, Pa., native, as the ship’s commanding officer. Aircraft Carrier Background The aircraft carrier, with its embarked carrier air wing, is a preeminent asset for maintenance of maritime superiority across the oceans of the globe. John J. Cummings will assume the duties as the third Commanding Officer of the U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and relieve Capt. Richard C. McCormack during a change of command ceremony on Friday, Aug. 10, at 10 a.m. onboard Naval Station Norfolk at the Vista Point Catering and Conference Center. Meier has met with all the Sailors assigned to Ford and has set the climate to impact his Sailors’ lives in a positive way . Capt. A commissioning is a … John J. Cummings, Commanding Officer, USS Gerald R. Ford. 45K likes. Richard C. McCormack during the Aug. 10 change of command ceremony, a time-honored Naval transfer of responsibility, authority, and accountability from one individual to another. The background is a map of the world representing the global presence of USS Gerald R. Ford and the future Ford Class aircraft carriers. Now at Sea, USS Gerald R. Ford Enters a New Phase in its Path to Deployment. By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matthew R. Fairchild NEWPORT NEWS, Va., -- Pre-commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) held a change of command in the ship’s hangar bay April 8. The aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford is making progress, the Navy says. 200131-N-CV877-2006 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 31, 2020) Sideboys render honors to Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Modly as he arrives aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford … Capt. [25] Production delays meant that the launch had to be delayed until 11 October 2013 and the naming ceremony until 9 … Capt. The Honorable Thomas Modly, acting Secretary of the Navy, greets Capt. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) will welcome its next Commanding Officer during a change of command ceremony on Friday, August 10 at 10 a.m. Capt. Richard McCormack, a Canyon Country, Calif., native, relieved Capt. ... USS Gerald R. Ford enters a new phase in its path to deployment. The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) will welcome its next Commanding Officer during a change of command ceremony on Friday, August 10 at 10 a.m. A few years ago, in a story chronicling life aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier, a New Yorker writer noted that the scope and scale of the captain’s job made it “impossible to get a sense of him outside his captainness.”. During a recent at-sea period, test pilots put the ship's new launch and recovery systems through their paces. The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) underway on its own power for the first time while leaving Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, Virginia (USA), on April 8, 2017. J.J. Cummings ’89 (right) assumes command of the USS Gerald R. Ford from Capt. Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Derrick Williams, from Charlotte, North Carolina, assigned to USS Gerald … Capt. John J. Cummings, USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) commanding officer, presents a lower stage advanced weapons elevator (AWE) to the … John J. Cummings, USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) commanding officer, presents a lower stage advanced weapons elevator (AWE) to the Honorable Thomas Modly, acting Secretary of … ... Cummings becomes the third commanding officer of the Ford… Ship Sponsor Susan Ford Bales participated in a Change of Command ceremony as Captain John Meier was replaced by Captain Richard McCormack as Commanding Officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford CVN 78.The ceremony took place in conjunction with the Gerald R. Ford statue unveiling event at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, VA. John J. Cummings, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), in the ship’s pilot house. USS Gerald R. Ford - CVN 78, Newport News, Virginia. A change of command ceremony was held for the USS Gerald R Ford on Monday to relieve one captain and welcome another. Capt. ... the Ford’s commanding officer. The USS Gerald R. Ford is a state of the art naval aircraft carrier successfully commissioned on July 22, 2017 and is expected to take on its first mission in 2020. While Navy Capt. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Cat Campbell) [34] The ship was originally scheduled for launch in July 2013 and delivery in 2015. By Capt. USS Gerald R. Ford's (CVN 78) Advanced Weapons Elevators (AWEs) reached another milestone this week with the commencement of combined testing of its first Lower Stage Weapons Elevator on Feb. 24.