Statement by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III on the US Navy’s naming of future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers.
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Press Release, Washington DC, 13 January 2025: The Department of Defense is honoured by the Navy’s naming of two future Gerald R. Ford-class aircraft carriers as the future USS William J. Clinton (CVN 82) and the future USS George W. Bush (CVN 83), as announced today by President Biden.
Aircraft carriers are the centrepiece of America’s naval forces, and they ensure that the United States can project power and deliver combat capability anytime, anywhere in defence of our democracy. These two future carriers are named after historically significant Commanders in Chief who served our country with determination and dedication: President Bill Clinton and President George W. Bush.
The future USS William J. Clinton and the future USS George W. Bush will serve as lasting tributes to each leader’s legacy in service of the United States. Like their namesakes, these two future carriers, and the crews who sail them, will work to safeguard our national security, remind us of our history, and inspire others to serve our great republic.
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