Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Angel Jaskuloski | Gen. John E. Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrives aboard USS...... read more read more
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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Gen. John E. Hyten, Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), Oct. 25 to hear from senior leaders and Sailors about the crew that operates the ship’s advanced technology.
During his visit, Hyten received briefs on Ford’s advanced weapons elevators and unique flight deck design, and discussed how the ship’s technological improvements increase both her lethality and the quality of life for Sailors.
“As we continue to learn more about all of the capabilities our first-in-class aircraft carrier affords, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss with General Hyten the many differences between the Ford and Nimitz-class carriers and what they both bring to the table,” said Capt. Jeremy Shamblee, Ford’s executive officer.
Following the ship tour, Hyten made a point to sit down for lunch in the ship’s forward wardroom with members of the crew to facilitate a more intimate discussion about their time onboard.
“It was a pleasure having lunch with the General and definitely feels like something I’ll never forget in my naval career,” said Boatswains Mate 1st Class Kelly Idrovo, from Hancock, Wisconsin, assigned to Ford’s deck department. “Representing my department [at the lunch] has been awesome.”
Idrovo was recently recognized as Ford’s Sailor of the quarter and got the opportunity to share her thoughts with Hyten on the crew’s quality of life over the past year.
“The last year was definitely difficult. COVID and the idea of a pandemic was something none of us had ever dealt with before, so we as leaders had to learn how to lead through this situation very quickly for everyone’s safety, while the more junior Sailors were experiencing life at sea for the first time,” said Idrovo. “It was the right thing for the command to follow CDC guidelines and keep the crew socially distanced, but what I found was that my Sailors were hungry to understand their place in the Navy. By encouraging them to understand the bigger picture of the importance of their day-to-day taskings, they were able to gain a sense of pride in their accomplishments and start to understand the impact they are making on the ship.”
After spending the morning engaging with Ford senior leaders and Sailors, Hyten left with a deeper understanding of their perspectives and Ford’s mission and capabilities.
"The Sailors of the U.S.S. Gerald R. Ford represent our nation's very best," said Hyten, "It was absolutely incredible to see how the crew of the Ford and members of the Newport News Naval Shipyard carry out their mission with such precision and professionalism."
Ford is in port at Newport News Shipyard executing her Planned Incremental Availability (PIA), a six-month period of modernization, maintenance and repairs.
For more news from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), visit www.dvidshub.net/unit/CVN78
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2021 |
| Date Posted: | 10.28.2021 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 408257 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 306 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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