Login
iscover
America’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), and its supporting strike group have departed Japan to conduct a freedom-of-navigation operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
To continue reading the rest of this article, please log in.
Create free account to get unlimited news articles and more!
This deployment marks USS Ronald Reagan’s fifth year of service as part of US forward-deployed naval forces. Reagan, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 represent the cornerstone of the strike group’s capability to sustain presence, project power, fight and win decisively from the sea.
Following sea trials, Reagan commenced deployment by on-loading more than 1,000 tons of ordnance – enough combat power to cause the ship to sit five inches lower on the waterline – in addition to personnel and aircraft from aviation squadrons within CVW-5.
With more than 5,000 crew embarked, and 60-plus aircraft, Reagan is capable of sustaining around-the-clock maritime operations.
While underway, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group will work alongside allies and partners to strengthen regional capabilities, further develop warfighting concepts, and improve distributed maritime operations that provide layered defence options to protect shared interests.
Together, the US and its allies promote peace and prosperity by supporting international norms.
The United States remains committed to protecting the rights, freedoms and lawful uses of the sea, and the ability of all countries to exercise those rights.
The crew and support staff of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group continue to demonstrate that no challenge is beyond reach and that together, we can achieve “peace through strength”.
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is forward-deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
US 7th Fleet is the largest numbered fleet in the world, and with the help of 35 other maritime-nation allies and partners, the US Navy has operated in the Indo-Pacific region for more than 70 years, providing credible, ready forces to help preserve peace and prevent conflict.
The Ronald Reagan is the ninth Nimitz Class aircraft carrier in commission with the United States Navy – construction took place at Northrop Grumman Newport News starting with the ship’s keel laying 12 February 1998, and christened by Mrs Nancy Reagan on 4 March 2001.
The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-79) is named after the 40th president of the United States, Ronald W Reagan (term 1981-1989), and is the flagship of not only the US Navy, but is also the flagship of the only forward-deployed carrier strike group.
Carrier Strike Group 5 based out of Yokosuka, Japan – the Reagan’s motto is “Peace through strength”, echoing President Reagan’s focus on military strength to overcome the threat of the Soviet Union.
Take a closer look at the USS Ronald Reagan in the exclusive Defence Connect photo essay here.
