Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Cathrine Yanez | NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Oct. 6, 2016) -- Pre-Commissioning Unit Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) Sailors assigned to Air department prepare to respond to a casualty during general quarters. This ship-wide general quarters drill focused on damage control and emergency responses and is a significant step in certifying the crew as they train to fight and take delivery of the ship. (U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Cathrine Mae O. Campbell/Released) see less
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The completion of flight deck equipment and the delivery of training tools enables Ford Sailors to prepare for real-world flight operations.
“The advancements are phenomenal. Seeing a crew start at the basics and get to where we are now,” said Petty Officer First Class Ricardo Hernandez, Air Department V-1 Division Leading Petty Officer. “The [training aircraft] has reinvigorated the flight deck and it is an amazing training tool as we teach Sailors what an operational carrier is supposed to be like.”
Unlike the older Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, Ford utilizes a new flight deck design aimed at increasing the flight capabilities of the newer carriers. The testing and turnover of many major systems like the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) as well as the addition of training props like a decommissioned aircraft have helped the crew prepare for handling aircraft operations while out to sea.
The training aircraft, known as “the dud”, helps Sailors train in several different ways. It can be used to train the flight deck fire fighters, it can be used in aircraft movement training by the aircraft handlers and also helps familiarize Sailors with the safe and dangerous areas of an operating aircraft.
“Our team is definitely ready for the challenge,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jaime Roman, Air Department’s Aircraft Handling Officer. “From my perspective, the flight deck is really close.”
As the Ford progresses toward flight operations, the complexity of training and drills will increase until it is culminated with the first aircraft launch and recovery.
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