higher resolution image Northrop Grumman Newport News president Tom Schievelbein (left) presented the commanding officer of the USS Ronald Reagan, Capt. Jim Symonds (right), with a wooden ship’s wheel during a ceremony held in the carrier’s bridge. (photo by Chris Oxley)

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – April 26, 2004 – Northrop Grumman Newport News president Tom Schievelbein presented the commanding officer of the USS Ronald Reagan, Capt. Jim Symonds, with a wooden ship’s wheel during a ceremony held in the carrier’s bridge. The wheel was made in the shipyard’s wood-working shop and is a traditional gift for each new aircraft carrier that Newport News builds.

“We’ve had a long history with the Reagan,” said Schievelbein as he presented Symonds with the wheel. “You have the best built ship. We’re proud of it and we’re proud of our relationship with you and your crew.”

The new wheel will replace the steel steering console that is currently on the ship. “We’ll wear it with pride,” Symonds said. “It will be with us when we get underway.”

The Reagan is currently at the shipyard undergoing its post shakedown availability (PSA), a typical availability in the early life of a carrier that allows the Navy and Newport News team to resolve any items that came up during early cruises and make any last-minute changes and upgrades.

Northrop Grumman Newport News, headquartered in Newport News, Va., is the nation's sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two companies capable of designing and building nuclear-powered submarines. Newport News also provides after-market services for a wide array of naval and commercial vessels. The Newport News sector employs about 19,000 people.