ATLANTIC OCEAN (March 20, 2021) The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the Italian navy aircraft carrier ITS Cavour (CVH 550) transit the Atlantic Ocean, March 20, 2021, marking the first time a Ford-class and Italian carrier have operated together underway. As part of the Italian navy’s Ready for Operations (RFO) campaign for its flagship, Cavour is conducting sea trials in coordination with the F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office’s Patuxent River Integrated Test Force to obtain official certification to safely operate the F-35B. Gerald R. Ford is conducting integrated carrier strike group operations during independent steaming event 17 as part of her post-delivery test and trials phase of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Riley McDowell)