ATLANTIC OCEAN (April 24, 2021) French navy Rear Adm. Eric Malbrunot, right, deputy chief of naval operations for plans and programs, speaks with Aviation Machinist's Mate 1st Class Micheal Esparza, from Yakima, Washington, assigned to to the “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, about the tail drive shaft of an MH-60S Nighthawk helicopter in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), April 24, 2021. French Armaments Procurements Agency (DGA) executive leadership visited Ford to view the electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) and advanced arresting gear (AAG) in operation, to enable France to refine the design of the Future French Carrier. Procurement of EMALS and AAG by France and the adoption of a Ford-class carrier flight deck operations model will ensure continued interoperability between both nations. Gerald R. Ford is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting its final independent steaming event of post-delivery test and trials. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zack Guth)