Newport News Shipbuilding hosted Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, who reviewed aircraft carrier and submarine programs and met with company leaders.

“It was great to see the hard work of the Navy’s shipbuilding team alongside our defense industry partners ensuring we maintain our edge through the construction of the next Ford-class carrier and Columbia-class submarine,” Brown said.

Brown visited shipbuilders and sailors on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79), and saw construction progress on Virginia- and Columbia-class submarine modules. Adm. William Houston, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, and Vice Adm. Jim Downey, commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, accompanied the chairman.

“Our shipbuilders’ commitment to supporting the Department of Defense is unwavering, and we are grateful General Brown invested time to see that for himself,” NNS President Jennifer Boykin said. “The nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines we build and maintain are vital to our national security, and we are proud to deliver these critical capabilities to those who defend our freedoms.”