NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A Medford, Oregon, native assigned to Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) will participate in the christening of the U.S. Navy’s second Ford-class aircraft carrier during a ceremony in Newport News, Dec. 7.
The Navy will christen its newest aircraft carrier on Saturday, Dec 7, 2019, during a ceremony at the Huntington-Ingalls Industries, Newport News Shipbuilding (HII-NNS) shipyard in Newport News.
Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician William Martel, who is assigned to PCU John F. Kennedy, discussed the pride in serving on board the second Ford-class aircraft carrier.
“The life of the future USS John F. Kennedy will last five decades beyond its commissioning, and for me that gives me pride in knowing that I am a part of something bigger than myself,” said Martel, who brings three separate shipyard tours to the future USS John F. Kennedy.
Martel served on board the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), from 2012 to 2014. Martel is unique in that he will be a dual plank owner having previously served on board USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) from 2014 to 2016, and is now currently serving on board PCU John F. Kennedy.
On Nov. 6, nearly a month earlier, the crew of PCU John F. Kennedy officially revealed the carrier’s seal. The seal is crafted to integrate elements that honor President John. F. Kennedy, his service to the Navy, and his vision for space exploration.
It features 35 stars located around the outer ring that represent John F. Kennedy as our nation’s 35th president. The 35th star is positioned after his middle initial and the two gold stars placed between CVN and the number 79 symbolize the fact that this is the second aircraft carrier bearing his name and legacy.
The Roman numeral “CIX” or 109, is a tribute to President Kennedy’s heroic naval service as commander of Patrol Boat 109 in the South Pacific. Additionally, the moon backdrop represents President Kennedy’s instrumental role in the nation’s space program.
“John F. Kennedy displayed extraordinary courage, both in combat as a naval officer, and as president of the United States,” said Capt. Todd Marzano, the ship’s first Commanding Officer. “The seal design and ship’s motto are a very powerful and fitting way to honor President Kennedy’s legacy.”
Anchoring these and other elements on the seal is the ship’s motto – Serve with Courage. Martel discussed what Serving with Courage means to him.
“Serving with courage means being part of something bigger than myself,” said Martel, who checked aboard PCU John F. Kennedy on Oct. 1, the same day when the crew held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to official establish the ship’s crew—and opening the building where the crew will work during the ship’s construction.
Other recent milestones PCU John F. Kennedy have completed include the ship’s dry dock was flooded on Oct. 29, officially launching the aircraft carrier approximately three months early to the original schedule. The ship's keel was laid on Aug. 22, 2015, and placement of the 588-metric ton island superstructure was completed on May 29, 2019.
PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is the second aircraft carrier in the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)-class. With its embarked air wing and other carrier strike group assets, CVN 79 will serve as the centerpiece of national defense, providing the core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.
Senior Chief Aviation Electronics Technician William Martel, who is assigned to PCU John F. Kennedy, discussed the pride in serving on board the second Ford-class aircraft carrier.
“The life of the future USS John F. Kennedy will last five decades beyond its commissioning, and for me that gives me pride in knowing that I am a part of something bigger than myself,” said Martel, who brings three separate shipyard tours to the future USS John F. Kennedy.
Martel served on board the first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, USS Enterprise (CVN 65), from 2012 to 2014. Martel is unique in that he will be a dual plank owner having previously served on board USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) from 2014 to 2016, and is now currently serving on board PCU John F. Kennedy.
On Nov. 6, nearly a month earlier, the crew of PCU John F. Kennedy officially revealed the carrier’s seal. The seal is crafted to integrate elements that honor President John. F. Kennedy, his service to the Navy, and his vision for space exploration.
It features 35 stars located around the outer ring that represent John F. Kennedy as our nation’s 35th president. The 35th star is positioned after his middle initial and the two gold stars placed between CVN and the number 79 symbolize the fact that this is the second aircraft carrier bearing his name and legacy.
The Roman numeral “CIX” or 109, is a tribute to President Kennedy’s heroic naval service as commander of Patrol Boat 109 in the South Pacific. Additionally, the moon backdrop represents President Kennedy’s instrumental role in the nation’s space program.
“John F. Kennedy displayed extraordinary courage, both in combat as a naval officer, and as president of the United States,” said Capt. Todd Marzano, the ship’s first Commanding Officer. “The seal design and ship’s motto are a very powerful and fitting way to honor President Kennedy’s legacy.”
Anchoring these and other elements on the seal is the ship’s motto – Serve with Courage. Martel discussed what Serving with Courage means to him.
“Serving with courage means being part of something bigger than myself,” said Martel, who checked aboard PCU John F. Kennedy on Oct. 1, the same day when the crew held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to official establish the ship’s crew—and opening the building where the crew will work during the ship’s construction.
Other recent milestones PCU John F. Kennedy have completed include the ship’s dry dock was flooded on Oct. 29, officially launching the aircraft carrier approximately three months early to the original schedule. The ship's keel was laid on Aug. 22, 2015, and placement of the 588-metric ton island superstructure was completed on May 29, 2019.
PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is the second aircraft carrier in the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)-class. With its embarked air wing and other carrier strike group assets, CVN 79 will serve as the centerpiece of national defense, providing the core capabilities of forward presence, deterrence, sea control, power projection, maritime security, and humanitarian assistance.