Huntington Ingalls welder Leon Walston places a weld bead over the initials of Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, daughter of the late President John F. Kennedy and the sponsor of the US navy’s next — and second Ford Class aircraft carrier. The ceremony was held at the Newport News, Va. shipyard, adjacent to Dry Dock 12. (Mark D. Faram/staff) 
The first keel section of the new Ford-Class carrier John F. Kennedy is put into dry dock 12 at Huntington Ingalls Newport News Shipyard on Aug. 22, 2015. (Mark D. Faram/staff) 
A superlift puts in place the final stern section containing the ship’s rudder posts of the second Ford-Class aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy on June 22, 2017.(Mark D. Faram/Staff) 
Shipyard workers weld the final stern section of the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy after a super lift put the piece in place, June 22, 2017. (Mark D. Faram/staff) 
Capt. Todd “Cherry” Marzano, prospective commanding officer of the new Ford-Class carrier John F. Kennedy. (Mark D. Faram/staff) 
The gold aviator’s wings of Capt. Todd “Cherry” Marzano and a silver Kennedy half-dollar are among the items in place before the island is placed and welded in place over them. (Mark D. Faram/staff) 
The island of of the new Ford-Class carrier John F. Kennedy hovers over the flight deck before being lowered and welded in place. (Mark D. Faram/staff)
