NEWPORT NEWS

Northrop Grumman has won a contract worth $72.6 million for post-delivery work on the carrier George H.W. Bush.

NORFOLK It's official: The Navy has a new aircraft carrier. The service took delivery of the George H.W. Bush in a ceremony Monday afternoon. The 10th and final Nimitz-class carrier was built by Northrop Grumman Newport News. The $6.3 billion ship was granted a special commissioning status during a ceremony in January. It completed builder's trials in February and acceptance trials in April.

ON THE CHESAPEAKE BAY Viewed from a tugboat bobbing in the Bay, the George H.W. Bush loomed high above, projecting a demeanor that was equal parts "It's good to be king" and "Don't mess with me."

The aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush returned from sea trials Monday, an executive with Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding said. "We have a few adjustments, tweaks and punch-list items," said Ken Mahler, vice president of Navy programs. "But nothing out of the ordinary."

The aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush left for sea trials this morning, a couple weeks later than originally planned, a spokeswoman from Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding said Friday. The $6.3 billion ship was granted a special commissioned status Jan. 10 after being transferred to Norfolk Naval Station via tugboat for a commissioning ceremony attended by its namesake.

NORFOLK With a generous helping of pomp and a healthy amount of circumstance, the Navy commissioned the last of the Nimitz-class aircraft carriers, the George H.W. Bush, on Saturday morning. Under a blue sky and a chilling wind, a host of dignitaries assembled on one of the ship's starboard elevators, hovering above Pier 14 at Norfolk Naval Station.

NORFOLK It's been nearly eight years since the paperwork was signed, and the George H.W. Bush is poised to become a warship. The carrier, the 10th and last of the Nimitz class, will be commissioned this morning at Norfolk Naval Station. Both Presidents Bush will be on hand, along with a host of military and political leaders and 18,000 other spectators.

The Coast Guard and Norfolk police will help provide security on the water on Saturday during the commissioning of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush.

While several presidents have had aircraft carriers named in their honor, only George Herbert Walker Bush knows what it's like to fight off of one. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, Bush was a senior at Phillips Academy in Andover, Mass.

The commissioning of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) will be a multistage affair. Here's a taste of the highlights. All events are by invitation only.
Friday