The crew of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike) has been deployed for over five months, tirelessly supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, accompanied by an all-volunteer group of 61 Sailors from Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

These Ford Sailors, who have spent their entire tour at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, deployed with Ike to learn from the ship's experienced crew and bring new expertise to their own command before the Navy's newest aircraft carrier gets underway.

"We have a lot of experienced leadership on Ford, but we need experience at the deckplate level as well," said Chief Petty Officer Justin Darnell, whose job aboard Ford consists of working with aviation ordnance. "This is an opportunity to get on-the-job experience, and develop a good understanding of their occupation and share it amongst their peers. It's an opportunity they don't have in the shipyard."

For many Ford Sailors, this was their first time to witness a fully-operational carrier at work, and see how their occupation plays into the overall mission.

"This has been a great opportunity to become familiar with the operational methodology of an active carrier, since many of us have no previous experience on carriers, or even a ship at sea," said Petty Officer 1st Class Francisco Quezada. "We can see how all of the pieces of the AIMD (Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Department) puzzle come together, how it fits into the overall mission, then bring that back to Ford."

Petty Officer 2nd Class Maria Lake has earned three warfare specialist pins during the deployment, and said her time with Ike's crew has taught her a great deal about being a Sailor.

"This was the first time I've been out to sea," Lake said. "I was the only second class petty officer in my shop on Ford that didn't have an air warfare pin. I have gained experience in my job, I've seen the world, and earned the qualifications I wanted. I feel like I'm a much better Sailor for this experience, and I'm sure all the Ford Sailors will take something different away from this deployment that will add to the command when we return."

Darnell said he is very proud of the way he has seen Ford Sailors mature during their time aboard Ike, and he knows that will pay dividends for their parent command.

"The Sailors came out here eager and ready to learn, and they've grown personally and professionally as they've contributed to Ike's mission," said Darnell. "They have been motivated, professional, productive, and become part of the team. They have played a role in an operational carrier. They have lived the teamwork concept, handled the equipment, and stood the watches. When Ford gets underway, it will already have a crew that is that much more experienced, confident, and ready to carry out the mission."

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