Feb. 25, 2011 – The Commemorative First Cut of Steel Ceremony for the Ford-class aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is held at Newport News Shipbuilding. Photo by Chris Oxley Post date September 2, 2020 ← June 16, 2015 – Ship’s Sponsor Susan Ford Bales participated in a demonstration of the new electromagnetic catapults on the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), giving the signal to launch weighted sleds off the ship into the James River. Photo by Chris Oxley → Mar 16, 2011 – Foundry workers begin a steel pour to cast anchor bolsters for the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) at Newport News Shipbuilding. Photo by John Whalen