Navy aircraft carrier John F Kennedy island construction

The 588-metric-ton island was dropped into place aboard the future Navy aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy on Wednesday.

The addition of the island, done on what would've been Kennedy's 105th birthday, means the carrier is now 92% structurally complete.

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Four years into construction of the new aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy, the vessel finally took on the “look” of a Navy flattop on Wednesday as shipyard workers “landed” the vessel's distinctive 72-foot high and 588-metric ton island superstructure on the ship's flight deck.

The lift of the island section was just one of 155 total prefabricated sections of the ship, built outside of the dry dock and then placed on the ship by the dry dock's large cranes.

The first such section was the portion of the ship's keel, which was put in place on Aug. 22, 2015. Though this kind of shipyard work has been done for the past few decades, the Kennedy has been built using the most such modules of any carrier to date.

The event took place at the Huntington Ingalls Newport News shipyard on what would have been the late President John F. Kennedy's 105th birthday. Placement of the island means that the carrier is 92% complete. The vessel is expected to be christened later this year by the ship's sponsor, Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late president and the former US ambassador to Japan.

She was also the sponsor of the first USS John F. Kennedy — the last conventionally powered carrier built. That ship was decommissioned in 2007.

The Kennedy will be the second Ford-Class aircraft carrier built by the US Navy and is expected to be completed in the next couple years.

The Kennedy's growth is an evolution that the ship's prospective commanding officer — and officially first crew member — Capt. Todd “Cherry” Marzano has witnessed firsthand during his time as the executive officer of the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln during that ship's recent mid-life overhaul.

“In 2015, while driving past this very pier every morning en-route where the Lincoln was moored, I observed the first sections of steel for the new JFK aircraft carrier being manufactured and prepositioned for assembly,” Marzano told a collection of dignitaries, shipyard workers and media gathered on the ship's flight deck to watch the island be placed.

During those drives Marzano said he recalled thinking that “some lucky captain” would one day get the honor to be the ship's first skipper. He told the audience how he is “extremely humbled and very grateful” to be the officer picked for the job.

Placing the island on an aircraft carrier has become a modern day “stepping the mast” ceremony, steeped in lore and superstition. In the days of sail, a ceremonial coin was placed below the main mast as it was raised into position.

Today, a Navy aircraft carrier is commanded by a naval aviator. Marzano's first set of gold aviators wings were placed with other ceremonial coins on the ship's flight deck, and the island was lowered on top of them and welded into place.

“They become a permanent part of the ship's structure,” he said. “And naval tradition promises this will provide good luck and safe passage.”

Marzano also said the gesture “symbolizes my personal commitment” to building a crew “that is manned, trained and ready in all regards” that will operate this ship once it's in the fleet.

Next to Marzano's wings as the island was set into place was the first ever Kennedy silver half-dollar, given for the event by Caroline Kennedy along with a message that was read aloud.

“I know how proud my father would be of the ship that will bear his name and the patriotism and dedication of all who will sail in her,” she wrote, while expressing regret that she couldn't be on the ship. She also wrote that “I look forward to joining you at her christening.”