0911145549O-135 NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Nov. 14, 2009) Robert Bowker welds the initials of Susan Ford Bales into the keel of the aircraft carrier Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during a keel laying and authentication ceremony at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News. Gerald R. Ford is the newest class of aircraft carrier. Navy

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Photo credit: © Mil image / Alamy / Afripics
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Keywords: ceremony, ford, keel, laying, navy, secnav, sponsor