190925-N-YW264-1160 NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Sept. 25, 2019) Secretary of Defense Dr. Mark T. Esper, second from left, observes the operation of the advanced weapons elevators (AWE) aboard the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) ) with Capt. John J. Cummings, center, Gerald R. Ford’s commanding officer, during a visit to the ship. Esper visited Ford to see first-hand the progress the ship is making during its post-shakedown availability and to speak directly with Ford and Navy leadership. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Zachary Melvin/Released)