CVN-77 is named after George Herbert Walker Bush (born 1924), 41st President of the United States of America (1989-1993).

As President and Commander-In-Chief Mr. Bush led the United States and a coalition of 30 nations during the Gulf War (1991) that ended Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and liberated the people of the small Persian Gulf nation.

US Navy pilot George Bush in the cockpit of an Avenger, 1942–1945.

(Read about LT(JG) George H.W. Bush, USNR, WW2 service at the Naval Historical Center website.)

An artist’s conceptual drawing of the U.S. Navy’s next aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) named in honor of the 41st President of the United States. U.S. Navy graphic (000314-N-0000X-001).

Arlington, Va., The Pentagon, Dec. 9, 2002— Former President George H.W. Bush (center), the 41st President of the United States examines a model of CVN-77, the U.S. Navy’s 10th Nimitz-class aircraft carrier officially named USS George H.W. Bush by The Honorable Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy, at a ceremony held in the Pentagon. Photographed from left to right are Adm. Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Gordon England, Secretary of the Navy, former President George H.W. Bush, Senator John Warner, R-Va., and General James L. Jones, Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer’s Mate Johnny Bivera. (photo # 021209-N-2383B-001).

Newport News, Va., Mar. 3, 2003— The first construction unit of the Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) settles into the drydock, where the ship would be constructed. The ship would feature numerous engineering and technology improvements, and was slated to be the 10th and final Nimitz-class nuclear powered carrier. Photo by Mr. John Whalen Northrop Grumman Newport News (# 030328-0-4780W-034).

Newport News, Va., Sep. 6, 2003— Adm. Vern Clark, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), makes remarks during the keel laying ceremony of the George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) aircraft carrier. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera (photo # 030906-N-2383B-050).

Newport News, Va., Sep. 6, 2003— Former President George H.W. Bush accompanied by his daughter and ship's sponsor Doro Bush Koch, wrote his initials with chalk to a plaque which was then traced by a welder’s torch and permanently affixed to the keel of the ship. During the ceremony, President George H.W. Bush authenticated the keel by announcing, “the keel has been truly and fairly laid." U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Johnny Bivera (photo # 030906-N-2383B-132).

Keel Laying & Authentication Ceremony for the Aircraft Carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN-77). (Video # m031049_384k).

The rudders for the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) are in place during construction, June 17, 2004. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News (# DCS04-120-2.)

Newport News, VA, Dec. 8, 2004 — Construction work on the Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) at Northrop Grumman Newport News (photo # 041208-O-0000X-022).

Newport News, VA, Mar. 8, 2005 — The 700-ton bow unit, the final keel section of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), is lowered into place in the dry dock at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. George H. W. Bush was built using modular construction, a process where smaller sections of the ship below the waterline are lowered into place in dry dock. CVN-77 was the second carrier to have the new bulbous bow design that provides more buoyancy to the forward end of he ship and improves hull efficiency (photo # 050308-N-0000X-001).

Northrop Grumman Corporation reached a construction milestone March 8, 2005 by lowering the final keel section of PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) into place. The 700-ton lower bow unit was joined to the other keel sections in the dry dock (Dry Dock 12, the largest dry dock in the Western Hemisphere) and completed the length of the aircraft carrier, which is as long as the Empire State Building is tall.

PCU George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) under construction, August 3, 2005. Photo by Chris Oxley, Northrop Grumman Newport News (# DCS05-400-8.)

The bow of the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) under constuction at Northrop Grumman Newport News, August 22, 2005. Photo by Chris Oxley (# DCS05_438_93).

The aircraft carrier PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News, August 29, 2005. Photo by Chris Oxley (# DCS05-450-20).

The island of the aircraft carrier PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News, November 2005. Photo by John Whalen (# DCS05-637-23).

The aircraft carrier PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News, November 28, 2005. Photo by John Whalen (# DCS05-637-8).

The Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush's (CVN-77) island upper levels are placed upon the lower levels to complete the island structure, March 9, 2006. Photo by Mr. John Whalen (Navy # 060309-N-4780W-001).

PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) Upper Bow Lift, Northrop Grumman Newport News, Newport News, VA, March 15, 2006 (# m061018_384k).

The upper bow unit of the Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is lifted into place at Northrop Grumman Newport News, Newport News, VA, March 15, 2006. Photo by Mr. John Whalen (Navy # 060315-N-4780W-315).

The upper bow unit of Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is lifted into place at Northrop Grumman Newport News, Newport News, VA, March 15, 2006. Photo by Mr. Rick Thompson (Navy # 060315-N-3363T-001).

The upper bow unit of Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is lifted into place at Northrop Grumman Newport News, Newport News, VA, March 15, 2006. Photo by Chris Oxley (# DCS06-145-123).

The propellers of the Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) are installed, April 26, 2006. Photo by Mr. John Whalen (Navy # 060426-O-4780W-009).

CVN-77 island, painted and sitting on platen at dry dock 12, June 23, 2006. Photo by Mr. Chris Oxley (# DCS06-389-3).

Northrop Grumman Corporation reached a major milestone July 8, 2006 as it lifted the 700-ton island onto the flight deck of PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77). The ship’s namesake and 41st President of the United States, George H. W. Bush, participated in the event. He was accompanied by his wife and former First Lady Barbara Bush. (Video # m061066_384k).

The completion of the last of 162 super lift evolutions scheduled during the construction of the tenth and last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). The lift placed the ship's 700-ton island superstructure in position on the flight deck, July 8, 2006. Photo by Mr. John Whalen (Navy # 060708-O-XXXXX-002).

As above. Photo by Rick Thompson (Navy # 060708-O-XXXXX-001).

The 41st President of the United States George H.W. Bush, left, and the prospective commanding officer for the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), Captain Kevin E. O'Flaherty, both place a personal set of Naval Aviator wings under the 700-ton island superstructure, July 8, 2006. The aviator wings were used to symbolize a naval custom, called "stepping the mast," which dates from antiquity and consists of placing coins under the step or bottom of a ship's mast during construction. One belief from Greek mythology is that should the ship be wrecked during passage, the coins would ensure payment of the crew's wages for their return home. Since at least the construction of USS Constitution in the 1790s, this tradition of placing coins or other items of significance has been passed on as a symbol of good luck for U.S. Navy ships. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert J. Stratchko (# 060708-N-8933S-003).

Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet Admiral John B. Nathman, left; the 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, center; and the prospective commanding officer for the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), Captain Kevin E. O'Flaherty, attend the last of 162 super lift evolutions scheduled during the construction of the ship. Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va., 8 July 2006. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert J. Stratchko (# 060708-N-8933S-001).

Aboard Pre Commissioning Unit George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), the ship's namesake and 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, left, observes the super lift Island landing ceremony, the last of 162 super lifts scheduled during the construction of the ship, placing the 700-ton superstructure on the ship's flight deck. Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard, Newport News, Va., 8 July 2006. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Robert J. Stratchko (# 060708-N-8933S-004).

PCU George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) with island house. Photo by Chris Oxley (# DCS06-422-51, Northrop Grumman Newport News file).

Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) shown in dry dock, September 12, 2006. Photo by Mr. Chris Oxley (Navy # 060912-O-0000X-017).

Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) shown in dry dock, Newport News, VA, 12 September 2006. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier was under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard. CVN-77 is the tenth and last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, christened on 7 October 2006 and commissioned on 10 January 2009. Photo by Mr. Chris Oxley courtesy Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (# 060912-O-0000X-043).

Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard workers flood the drydock where the Pre Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is berthed, 15 September 2006. Photo by Mr. John Whalen courtesy Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding (# 060915-O-4780W-126).

Christening program.

This is a picture of CVN-77's (PCU George H. W. Bush) island the day of her Christening at Newport News, VA, October 7, 2006.

The 41st President of the United States, George H.W. Bush, speaks at the christening ceremony for the 10th Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, and his ship's namesake, George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), at the Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard, 7 October 2006. President Bush became the first president in the shipyard's 120-year history to participate in the christening of his namesake ship. U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Ash Severe (# 061007-N-1831S-143).

Pictured left to right, President of the United States George W. Bush, former President and ship's namesake George H. W. Bush, and President of Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard Mr. Mike Petters, look on as ship's Sponsor Doro Bush Koch christens CVN-77, the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, October 7, 2006. "I would like to join my father, my brother, my family in saluting not only the men and women who built this remarkable ship, but also the courageous men and women who will soon man it," Koch said before christening the ship. Photo by Mr. Chris Oxley (Navy # 061007-O-0000X-001).

Christening ceremony, October 7, 2006 (# m061093_384k.wmv).

PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) afloat, October 9, 2006. Northrop Grumman Newport News photo by Chris Oxley.

PCU George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) move from Dry Dock 12 to OB1, October 9, 2006. Northrop Grumman Newport News photo by Ricky Thompson.

Fitting out.

Former President George H.W. Bush signed his name to the first dead load before it was launched during catapult testing aboard the Precommissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), 25 January 2008. Catapult testing consists of launching large containers, called dead loads, that are equal in weight to the planes that will ultimately be launched off the flight deck. U.S. Navy photo by Ricky Thompson (# 080125-N-0000T-157).

Newport News, Va., January 25, 2008 — Former President George H.W. Bush prepares to signal the launch of two "dead loads" off the flight deck of the Precommissioning Unit (PCU) George H. W. Bush (CVN-77). "Dead Load" launches test the ship's catapult systems ability to launch aircraft. U.S. Navy photo By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Susan Caraballo (080125-N-8544C-087).

Former President George H.W. Bush prepares to signal the launch of two "dead loads" off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier that bears his name, 25 January 2008. "Dead Load" launches test the ship's catapult systems ability to launch aircraft. The Precommissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) was under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Narina Reynoso (# 080125-N-0000T-158).

Airman Ryan Miller (left) Quartermaster 1st Class Christopher Dorner and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Ryan Jones, assigned to the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) prepare to be the first crewmembers to hoist the American flag over the fantail of the ship, at Norfolk, Virginia, 8 August 2008. Sailors had recently began eating and sleeping aboard the 10th and last Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, under construction at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicholas Hall (# 080811-N-3885H-002).

Quartermaster 1st Class Christopher Dorner (left), Airman Ryan Miller and Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Airman Ryan Jones hoist the American flag over the fantail of PCU George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), at Norfolk, Virginia, 8 August 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nicholas Hall (# 080811-N-3885H-029).

CAPT Kevin O'Flaherty, commanding officer of the Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), addresses the crew during a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the ship's galley and crew's mess, at Newport News, Virginia, 11 August 2008. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Lawrence M. Shannon (# 080811-N-2176S-082).

PCU George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) docked at Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va., 20 August 2008. (Carl Vinson was undergoing her only refueling and complex overhaul in a 50-year life span.)

Photo by Chris Oxley (# 189-5363).

Operations Specialist Seaman Apprentice Steven J. O'Conner stands lookout while the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) transits to Naval Station Norfolk, 23 December 2008, in preparation for her commissioning. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffrey M. Richardson (# 081223-N-5574R-050).

Boatswain's Mate Seaman Apprentice Charles Norris polishes a bell aboard the ceremonial quarterdeck of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), Norfolk, Va., 7 January 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Nathan A. Bailey (#090107-N-5658B-011).

Northrop Grumman Newport News completed builder's trials of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on 16 February 2009. Photo by John Whalen, Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding.

Builder's trials.

NATO Sea Sparrow missiles are launched from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). The aircraft carrier completed her first missile launch while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, 23 June 2010, conducting combat systems ship qualification trials.

NS027748: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall (# 100623-N-3885H-011).

NOB Norfolk, VA, 2 October 2010.

An MH-60S Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 flies over USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), 10 October 2010. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was underway conducting training operations in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall (# 101010-N-3885H-426).

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) transits the Atlantic Ocean, 10 October 2010. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall (# 101010-N-3885H-475).

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) departs Naval Station Norfolk for her maiden deployment, 11 May 2011. The Navy's newest aircraft carrier deployed as a part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) in support of Maritime Security Operations (MSO) and Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas Of Responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall (# 110511-N-VQ827-135).

The Royal Navy Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Torbay (S90) underway in formation with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group and other NATO ships during the U.K.-sponsored joint exercise Saxon Warrior 11, 20 May 2011. USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and her Carrier Strike Group were deployed to the U.S. 6th Fleet Area Of Responsibility (AOR) supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nicholas Hall (# 110520-N-VQ827-880).

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) is just weighing anchor in this photo, taken on 31 May 2011, following her first foreign port of call in Portsmouth, UK. The area is known as Stokes Bay in the Solent, the land in the background of the photo is the Isle of Wight and the building is Osborne House, Queen Victoria's seaside home.

Visit Daniel's GHWB gallery at Flickr.

A very nice photo of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), signed by her CO, CAPT Luther, for USNS Laramie (T-AO 203), after a replenishment at sea, 24 June 2011.

U.S. Navy photo.

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) transits through the Strait of Hormuz, 9 October 2011. The aircraft carrier was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area Of Responsibility on her first operational deployment, conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Betsy Knapper (# 111009-N-DU438-097).

Seaman Matthew D. Trevino heaves a line aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) after a replenishment at sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Pecos (T-AO 197), 8 November 2011, in the Persian Gulf. The aircraft carrier was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet Area Of Responsibility (AOR) on her first operational deployment conducting maritime security operations and support missions as part of Operations Enduring Freedom and New Dawn. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho (# 111108-N-QL471-026).

RADM Nora W. Tyson, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2, center, and LT Mike V. Minervini signal to launch an aircraft aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), 8 November 2011, in the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leonard H. Adams (# 111108-N-VA840-012).

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) underway with the Singapore Navy tank landing ship RSS Endeavour (210) in the Gulf of Aden, 15 November 2011. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kasey Krall (# 111115-N-TU894-077).

LT Kent Davis, left, the flight deck officer aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77); CDR William Powers, the ship's air officer; CDR Michael Bissell, the ship's assistant air officer; and CDR Robert Rivera, the ship's safety officer, discuss a training evolution in flight deck control. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier was conducting training exercises in the Atlantic Ocean, 10 July 2012. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Tony D. Curtis (# 120710-N-YZ751-184).

Motion Models-built model of USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) presented to Captain Kevin E. O'Flaherty at the christening ceremony. This model will be a permanent part of the ship.

Motion Models-built model of USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) exhibited in the museum room aboard the ship.

Motion Models-built model of USS San Jacinto (CVL-30) exhibited in the museum room aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). San Jacinto was the carrier that the future U.S. President and namesake of CVN-77 flew off in World War II.

Motion Models-built model of USS Finback (SS-230) exhibited in the museum room aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). Finback rescued future U.S. President and namesake of CVN-77 when he was shot down during World War II.

Model on display at the National Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola, Florida. Photos taken on 13 June 2008.

Radio-controlled model of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) built by Spanish modelers José Romero Ávila, Luis Fernández Picazo, Daniel Camacho Soler and Antonio Gracia Villanueva. This is a 1:144 scale model, measuring 240 x 32 x 53 cm (7.87 x 1.05 x 1.74 feet).

Note that the Air Wing is Carrier Air Wing 8, as of 1977–87. This is a deliberate anachronism intended as a tribute to the entire Nimitz class, since the squadrons here represented made up CVW-8 aboard USS Nimitz (CVN-68), lead-ship of the class, during her early years.

For more photos and information about this model, please visit the modelers' website: in Spanish, and in English.

NS027745d: Models of Spanish Navy frigates Álvaro de Bazán (F101), right foreground, and Santa María (F81), center-left background, were built by another Spanish modeler from Cartagena, Murcia, Spain. Álvaro de Bazán is the lead ship of a Spanish-designed and built, AEGIS-equipped frigate class. Santa María is the lead ship of a class of six guided missile frigates built in Spain and almost identical to the latter U.S. Oliver Hazard Perry-class FFGs.

The official command patch for the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77). U.S. Navy illustration (# 090114-N-0000X-001).

USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77). Freedom at Work.