USS Gerald R. Ford recovers and launches first aircraft Friday

NORFOLK, Va. - The USS Gerald R. Ford recovered and launched its first fixed-wing aircraft off the coast of Virginia on Friday.

The first arrested landing, otherwise known as a "trap," occurred at 3:10 p.m. less than one week after the aircraft carrier was commissioned by President Donald Trump.

The fixed-wing aircraft launched just over an hour later at 4:37 p.m. using a catapult.

"My team has worked closely with industry, Naval Air Systems and the flight test community to make this historic event in naval aviation happen. I am very proud of my crew," said Captain Rick McCormack.

Watch the launch in the video player above.