The U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier, the Gerald R. Ford, returned to Hampton Roads on Friday after conducting a week of sea trials in the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ford is the lead ship of a brand new class of super carriers, and performed high-speed runs and turns while onboard systems were tested, the Navy Times reports. This was the first of her builder's trials.
Escorted by tug boats, the Ford proceeded into Norfolk Naval Station and pulled in next to the USS George Washington (CVN-73), a Nimitz-class carrier. Sailors in dress-blues manned the flight deck rails as she pulled in.
Onboard the Ford was the president of Newport News Shipbuilding Matt Mulherin, the lead contractor of Ford's construction.
"In my 36 years with Newport News Shipbuilding, I've ridden many sea trials," Mulherin said. "While they have all been great experiences, this one was especially rewarding."
Susan Ford Bales, the Ford's sponsor and daughter of the ship's namesake late president Gerald R. Ford, was not onboard during the trials but did release a statement.
"Completion of builder’s sea trials for Dad’s namesake aircraft carrier is the magnificent culmination of years of hard work," Bales said. "I’m ecstatic and could not be prouder of the ship’s successful performance."
The Ford first went to sea to begin trials on April 8.