Wheeling native takes helm of world’s largest aircraft carrier

A Wheeling native now has command of the world’s largest aircraft carrier.

Capt. David Skarosi relieved Capt. Rick Burgess as commanding officer of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) during a ceremony Monday at the Naval Station in Norfolk, Virginia.

Burgess has been promoted to rear admiral.

The ceremony, a time-honored Navy tradition, was attended by Navy leadership, family, friends and crew.

Under Burgess’ command, the ship sailed 101,681 nautical miles, facilitated 10,396 aircraft sorties totaling 17,826 flight hours and worked with 17 partner and ally nations.

Now the ship is in the capable hands of Skarosi, who most recently served as commanding officer of Expeditionary Sea Base USS Lewis B. Puller (ESB 3).

He previously served as commanding officer of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 and executive officer of PCU John F. Kennedy (CVN 79).

“I’m honored to join this accomplished crew and support our nation’s prosperity and security through Gerald R. Ford’s sustained operations at sea,” said Skarosi, who has earned the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and various individual and unit campaign awards.

In taking over command, Skarosi recognized his predecessor’s accomplishments.

“Under Capt. Burgess' leadership, these sailors have relentlessly trained and prepared to deploy. We are ready to present the silhouette on the horizon to accomplish national tasking,” he said.

The Gerald R. Ford, a first-in-class nuclear aircraft carrier and flagship of Carrier Strike Group Twelve, incorporates modern technology, innovative shipbuilding designs and best practices from legacy aircraft carriers.

Skarosi earned a bachelor’s in Business Administration from the University of Kansas, commissioning through Navy ROTC in 1998, followed by a master’s in Leadership with a business ethics focus from Duquesne University.

He qualified as a Naval Flight Officer in 1999, transitioned to Navy pilot in 2005 and graduated from the Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program.

Skarosi’s operational assignments have included serving aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the USS Ronald Reagan supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. He was also commanding officer of the USS Lewis B. Puller Gold Crew, conducting deterrence and interdiction operations against stateless vessels.

Shore assignments included the Science and Technology Directorate at North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command; Aide-de-Camp to the Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command; and the Joint Staff, serving on a team that planned and executed globally integrated exercises.