A catapult system testing took place on the flight deck of Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) on January 25. Present at the event was the ship’s namesake, former United States President and World War II naval aviator, George H. W. Bush.

Others in attendance included Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN) President Mike Petters, Bush’s Commanding Officer Captain Kevin O’Flaherty, and several flag officers and commanding officers from local and regional commands. Sailors from PCU Bush and NGNN Shipyard workers who were involved in the ship’s construction were also on hand.

Former President Bush signaled the launch of two dead loads off the carrier’s deck. Dead loads are 80,000-pound, wheeled, steel vessels that simulate the weight of actual aircraft. Their launching tests the ability of a ship’s catapult systems to launch aircraft.

At the ceremony, Former President Bush said that he was pleased to attend the event and that it was hard to comprehend the honor of having the aircraft carrier named after him. He also mentioned that while ships had changed since he last flew off the deck of a carrier, the pride, patriotism and devotion to duty of their sailors were still the same.

Captain O’Flaherty presented former President Bush a yellow “shooter” jersey and a cowboy hat-shaped hard hat. A “shooter” is the sailor who signals for the launch of the aircraft during flight operations.

PCU George H. W. Bush is the US Navy’s newest aircraft carrier and the last of the Nimitz class. She is scheduled to be commissioned in 2009.