Future USS George H.W. Bush to Transit

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The future USS George H.W. Bush, (CVN-77), will transit from the Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding-Newport News shipyard to Norfolk Naval Station on Dec. 22.

This transit will enable the ship to begin preparation for its commissioning on Jan. 10, 2009. Following commissioning, USS George H.W. Bush will remain at Norfolk Naval Station to prepare for builder's and acceptance trials in early 2009.

"The ship and its crew have worked and trained hard and are on course for commissioning and delivery", said Capt. Frank Simei, program manager for in-service aircraft carriers.

"As the most powerful warship in the world USS George H.W. Bush will be a tremendous asset to our nation over its fifty years of planned service."

Congress authorized construction of the future USS George H.W. Bush in the Fiscal Year 1998 National Defense Authorization Act. The ship was laid down on Sept. 6, 2003, and christened on Oct. 9, 2006 by Dorothy Bush Koch, daughter of the ship's namesake.

George H.W. Bush is the 10th and final ship of the Nimitz class and incorporates major improvements from her predecessors, including a bulbous bow, redesigned island, composite mast and three-wire arresting gear configuration.

The future USS George H.W. Bush is commanded by Capt. Kevin O'Flaherty.