USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) claimed habitability as Sailors moved back on board the ship, April 1, after nine months of living and eating on a habitability barge.

The move is a significant milestone as the ship prepares to leave the shipyard after the planned incremental availability period and returns to an operational capability.

"Claiming habitability is critical to our ability to achieve operational readiness coming out of PIA, said Ship's Navigator Cmdr. Marc Christino. "Today is a great achievement due to an enormous amount of cooperation between multiple departments and organizations. Both contractors and Sailors have put in many extra hours to restore our ship to the required level to mess, live and work on board."

To celebrate the move aboard, GHWB's Supply Department opened the mess decks with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to kick off the first meal served on board since the start of PIA.

"Traditionally, ships celebrate crew move-aboard with a first meal and, of course, we have to have a cake cutting," said Lt. Cmdr. Scott Wallace, the ship's food service officer. "Crew move-aboard is the culmination of months of preparation and teamwork across the ship."

Bringing the galleys back to life and preparing berthing spaces for the crew to move aboard was a team effort between Supply, Engineering, and Medical departments.

GHWB's Supply Officer Cmdr. Jim Strauss applauded the efforts of all involved.

"I am so proud of the Supply, Engineering, and Medical teams for coming together to make this win for the ship. It took months of planning, communication, blood, sweat - and some tears - and the team delivered," he said. "This is the first big step to moving the ship out of the yards and into the workup cycle. I'm thrilled to be a part of this momentous day!"

George H.W. Bush's PIA began in June 2015 and is scheduled to be completed later this spring.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush, visit http://www.navy.mil/.