ATLANTIC OCEAN (June 27, 2025) – First-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), which departed on a regularly scheduled deployment from Naval Station Norfolk earlier this month, was awarded the 2024 Marjorie Sterrett Battleship Fund Award on June 26, 2025.
The award is presented annually by the Chief of Naval Operations to one ship in the Atlantic Fleet, and one ship in the Pacific Fleet, for superior performance in the Fleet’s battle efficiency competition. The recognition also comes with a small stipend for the crew’s Morale, Wellness, and Recreation programs.
“The Sailors aboard USS Gerald R. Ford represent the best of our nation’s highly trained warriors,” said Capt. David Skarosi, commanding officer...
CSSN Nicholas Murphy reflects on the adversity he overcame growing up in a rough Miami neighborhood and his appreciation for the opportunities he's been afforded by the U.S. Navy.
A feature story focusing on Aviation Electronics Technician 3rd Class Gabrielle Jensen and her passion for art that lead for her to illustrate a mural on the USS Gerald R. Ford's hangar bay.
Airman Luciano Arrojo, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9, signals to an MH-60S Seahawk during flight operations aboard aboard the world's largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), June 24, 2025. Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class nuclear aircraft carrier and deployed flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, incorporates modern technology, innovative shipbuilding designs, and best practices from legacy aircraft carriers to increase the U.S. Navy’s capacity to underpin American security and economic prosperity, deter adversaries, and project power on a global scale through sustained operations at sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jacob Mattingly)
The Battle of Midway, fought from 4 - 7 June 1942, directly shaped the future of the U.S. Navy, making ships like USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) possible. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Gladjimi Balisage)
CAPT Rick Burgess, a native of Bellevue, WA, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1996 with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and was designated a Naval Flight Officer in 1998.
Operational assignments include tours with Fighter Squadron (VF) 31, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72); Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102, USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63); and two tours with VFA-103, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and USS George Washington (CVN 73).
Shore assignments include service as Action Officer in the House Liaison Office, Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA); TOPGUN Instructor with Navy Fighter Weapons School; Strike Fighter Placement Officer (PERS-433B) with Navy Personnel Command (NPC); Branch Chief, Global Missile Defense...
Gerald R. Ford, the 38th President of the United States, was born July 14, 1913, in Omaha, NE. The future President grew up in a close-knit family, excelled scholastically and athletically at South High School in Grand Rapids, and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in November 1927.
Ford attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where he majored in economics and political science. An extremely gifted athlete, FORD was voted the Wolverine’s most valuable player in 1934, with opportunities to play professional football.
Ford chose the legal profession over a professional football career, graduating with a law degree from Yale in 1941. After the United States entered the war during World War II, Ford received a commission...
