Navy Christens Newest Aircraft Carrier: USS Gerald Ford - East Idaho News
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Navy Christens Newest Aircraft Carrier: USS Gerald Ford

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GETTY 11913 PRESIDENTFORD?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1384024055335Bachrach/Getty Images(NEWPORT NEWS, Va.) — The United States Navy’s newest aircraft carrier has been christened and is set to join the fleet in 2016.

The USS Gerald Ford, which will replace the USS Enterprise, was christened on Saturday . The new ship is named for the late president, who served on an aircraft carrier during World War II.

The Ford is said to be the most advanced and most efficient aircraft carrier ever built.

Admiral John Richardson, Director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, spoke at Saturday’s ceremony in Newport News, Virginia.

“Only the United States of America can make a machine like this,” Richardson said. “There is nothing like her in the world today.”

Former Vice President Dick Cheney and Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld were also present at the ceremony.

Copyright 2013 ABC News Radio

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