USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) successfully conducted fixed wing flight operations for the first time in nearly two years, marking the beginning of Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) Jan. 16.

“This is very exciting, and it is the culmination of a year-and-a-half of training, anticipation, and teamwork,” said Cmdr. Medhi Akacem, Ford’s air boss.

Ford will be conducting launches and recoveries of many different types of aircraft during ACT. Their goal, test the first-in-class Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) and Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). Prior to today’s operations, Ford has conducted 747 launches and recoveries.

The testing will include many different types of aircraft such as T-45 Goshawks, C-2A Greyhounds, E2D Advanced Hawkeyes, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets and E/A-18G Growlers. For many of these aircraft, it will be the first time Ford has successfully recovered and launched these airframes.

“It’ll be exciting for myself and I think everyone aboard,” said Lt. Cmdr. Rodney King, Ford’s aircraft handling officer. “It’s going to be a great opportunity for our crew and the ship to earn their qualifications so we’re going to take it slow and be methodical in order for everything to go well. I’m anxious to see the team rise to the occasion and I look forward to the challenge.”

For Ford, preparation for the ACT testing began immediately upon entering its post-shakedown availability at Huntington Ingalls Industries Newport News Shipbuilding, with every intention of reaching this milestone. According to Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Reginald Leonard, getting the ship to this point was a complete team effort.

“All the preparation taken has been so important because it’s going to set us up to see a healthy system and have the satisfaction of seeing it respond in its max capacity,” said Leonard. “From the most junior Sailors at 19-years-old, to our most senior on the team, there’s no possible way all the work and success we’ve had getting to this point could have happened without them.”

The results from ACT will allow Ford to continue making improvements, modifications and that will inform the ship and the rest of the ships in the ford class. With more testing scheduled in the future, one thing was made clear to the world today. Ford’s flight deck is functional and they are not out of the fight.

“This is one of the reasons why I love the Navy,” said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Airman Xavier Pattway, from Jacksonville, Florida, assigned to Ford’s air department. “It’s crazy to think about. Even when we were doing drills on the flight deck, my heart was beating so fast, and now, we’re doing it for real. It’s unreal but I’m ready for it.”

Gerald R. Ford is a first-in-class aircraft carrier and the first new aircraft carrier designed in more than 40 years. Ford is currently underway conducting aircraft capability testing in the Atlantic Ocean.

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