Marines from U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command and Wounded Warrior Detachment Portsmouth, Wounded Warrior Regiment, took a tour of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), aboard Naval Station Norfolk, Va., Feb. 23.

During the tour of the new supercarrier, Marines gained insight from their guide, Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Halcomb, aviation boatswain mate equipment specialist, USS Ford, who introduced Marines to the ship and some of the new equipment being installed.

The Marines entered the ship through the hanger, seeing crew members and civilians conducting their daily duties. Halcomb started the tour at the memorial of former President Gerald R. Ford Jr., who served as the 38th President of the United States of America, from August 1974 to January 1977. They then proceeded to the museum, where information sheets and pictures of the former naval officer could be seen.

Along the way, the group was introduced to the Water Twister, a water turbine designed to provide the resistance needed to slow down landing aircraft. Unlike conventional equipment, this turbine uses water instead of air.  It is currently being tested as part of the new improvements to aircraft carriers across the fleet.

“It’s interesting to see how this new ship differs from the rest in the fleet,” said Maj. Arleigh Lacefield, operations officer, Headquarters and Service Battalion, MARFORCOM. “This tour is giving us the chance to expose Marines to the naval capabilities that are in the area.” 
According to Lacefield, he coordinated the tour to give the Marines the opportunity to see what goes on aboard a naval vessel and understand its amphibious capabilities.
“It broadens our [understanding] on what the Navy can accomplish with the capabilities of the ship,” said Lance Cpl. Bryer Anderson, reserve affairs clerk, MARFORCOM.
Proceeding to the flight deck, the Marines had the opportunity to explore and take pictures. Here, Halcomb covered basic flight deck operations and some fire and rescue procedures. The group then proceeded to the control tower for a behind-the-scenes look at ship navigation and other details on the flight deck operations.
On the flight control deck, the Marines were shown the different equipment crew members use to direct aircraft while on the flight deck.
“During the tour, we got to go into the control room where they direct the aircraft … which was pretty cool, especially because our tour guides were enthusiastic and motivated,” said Lance Cpl. Quiozha Alexander, administrative clerk, command deck, MARFORCOM.   
The Marines were also introduced to a tradition of the ship; the collection and donation of signed dollar bills.
The tradition started when a shipmate conducting an organized clean-up found a $1 bill while picking up debris. Since the first dollar bill was turned in, more dollar bills were donated. The crew collects this money and then picks a charity organization or scholarship fund to donate to. Several Marines participated in the tradition, signing a dollar of their own before handing it over.
Other “upgrades” allow for many jobs around the ship to be accomplished with less manpower. For example, strategically placed lifts allow sailors in the hanger to load equipment and get it to the flight deck without the need for a driver to bring the cargo to the flight deck utilizing heavy machinery.   New automated systems require less manpower to maintain and operate the ship in port and at sea. The more advanced supercarrier is also capable of launching an aircraft every minute and 45 seconds and land one aircraft a minute. This is an improvement over previous versions of the carrier.
While touring the new supercarrier, Marines got an inside look at the day-to-day operations and new gadgets used on the USS Ford. They saw automated equipment and sailors on the job. As the Marines departed, they thanked their tour guide and wished their comrades fair winds and following seas.