Trump helps commission $12.9 billion aircraft carrier

https://www.navytimes.com/articles/trump-helps-commission-129-billion-aircraft-carrier

Trump helps commission $12.9 billion aircraft carrier

By: Darlene Superville, The Associated Press, July 22, 2017

NORFOLK, Va. — President Donald Trump helped commission the USS Gerald R. Ford on Saturday and declared that the most advanced aircraft carrier to join the Navy will cause America's enemies to "shake with fear" whenever they see its form cutting across the horizon. "I hereby place United States Ship Gerald R. Ford in commission," Trump said after delivering a speech in which he praised the U.S. military and the American labor that went into building the 100,000 ton, $12.9 billion warship. "May God bless and guide this warship and all who shall sail in her," Trump said.

He was followed shortly by Susan Ford Bales, the ship's sponsor and daughter of the 38th president, whom the ship honors. "There is no one, absolutely no one, who would be prouder of the commissioning of this mighty ship than the president of the United States, Gerald R. Ford," she said. "I am honored to give the command: 'Officers and crew of the United States Gerald R. Ford, man our ship and bring her to life.'"

And with those few words, the ship was brought to life. "Anchors Aweigh" played and sailors who stood in formation in their crisp, white uniforms began filing off to their stations.
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Construction on the USS Ford started in 2009 and was to be completed by September 2015 at a cost of $10.5 billion. The Navy has attributed the delays and budget overruns to the ship's state-of-the-art systems and technology, including electromagnetic launch systems for jets and drones that will replace steam catapults.

The warship also has a smaller island that sits farther back on the ship to make it easier and quicker to refuel, re-arm and relaunch planes, and a nuclear power plant designed to allow cruising speeds of more than 30 knots and operation for 20 years without refueling.

The vessel completed sea trials in April but still will go through a battery of tests and workups at sea before becoming operational and ready for deployment, work that is expected to cost nearly $780 million and take more than four years to complete, congressional auditors said in a report this month.
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