The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) employs military, civilian, and contract personnel to operate test ranges, laboratories, and aircraft in support of test, evaluation, research, development, and sustainment for all Navy and Marine Corps aviation platforms. Based in Patuxent River, Maryland, NAWCAD also has major sites in St. Inigoes, Maryland; Lakehurst, New Jersey; and Orlando, Florida.
After a historic 11-month deployment that took them from South America to the Middle East, senior leaders from USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) visited NAWCAD Lakehurst on July 15 to thanktheNew Jersey personnel for their support and explore new ways to work together before the ship returns to sea.
The delegation included Rear Adm. Gavin Duff, commander of Carrier Strike Group 12; Rear Adm. Todd “Toad” Evans, NAWCAD commander;and Gerald R.Ford commanding officer Capt. David Skarosi.
“Throughout our most recent, record-breaking 326-day deployment that covered more than 86,000 miles, we launched and recovered over 11,000 fixed-wing aircraftflights,” Duff said. “NAWCAD Lakehurst was with the ship’saircraftlaunch and recovery every...
07.23.2026 | LAKEHURST, NEW JERSEY, US |
Story by Adam Hochron
April 14, 2026. NAS Patuxent River, MD. HX-21 MH-53K King Stallion heavy lift helicopter testing of aircraft recover sling for downed aircraft utilizing KING 02 airframe that was decommissioned after completing loads testing.
