“We were pleased that Adm. Gilday had the opportunity to visit Newport News and hear from our dedicated shipbuilders,” said Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding. “These visits ensure alignment with the Navy and allow us to demonstrate our focus on continuous improvement, innovative use of technologies, and uncompromising commitment to safety, quality, cost and schedule — all of which enable us to provide our Navy with the ships they need, when they need them, to ensure our national security.”

Gilday visited the submarine construction complex to see modules and assemblies from the 12 Virginia-class submarines currently under construction. He also visited the facilities where aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is under construction and USS George Washington (CVN 73) is undergoing final outfitting and test activities in its refueling and complex overhaul at Newport News.

“It was important for me to come here and see the work being done first hand,” Gilday said. “No doubt, Virginia-class submarines and our nuclear-powered aircraft carriers will be important parts of our future naval force. I’m excited to see these ships come to life over the months and years to come, and I don’t want anyone to forget the fact that our sailors are depending on the quality work done here and need to leave ready for the fight.”