CVN 76 transiting the Straits of Magellan
Also, here's a link to a satellite image of the straits and Tierra del Fuego.
Posted on 06/24/2004 2:41:32 PM PDT by Al B.
The huge nuclear powered carrier is heading for San Diego, her operational port and during the long journey from Norfolk in the east coast participated in exercises with the Brazilian and Argentine navies.
She’s escorted by missile cruiser USS Thomas Gates and destroyer USS Benfold. In Valparaíso the flotilla will be joined by USS Camden, a support vessel and tanker.
While sailing along the Pacific USS Ronald Reagan, CVN 76, will be involved in naval exercises with units and aircrafts from the Chilean Navy.
Actually two Chilean pilots are advising the carrier how to get through the Magellan Strait.
USS Reagan carries over 80 aircraft and helicopters, a crew of 5,500 and cost 4,5 billion US dollars to build. She replaced USS Constellation that was decommissioned in 2003 after 41 years of service.
CVN 76 transiting the Straits of Magellan
Also, here's a link to a satellite image of the straits and Tierra del Fuego.
I've never quite figured out why ships use the straights.
Weather?
Looks pretty calm for that part of the world.
ping
to large for the Canal
The Drake Passage off Cape Horn is often the roughest seas in the world. It would be even worse now, at the onset of winter.
Good Lord - THAT'S A MIGHTY WARRIOR!
(Guess the world may not end this month after all.)
Why is the ship flying no flags?
Have you seen the pics of the next stealthy carriers?.. Very hard to visualize one without an island..
Gotta see these pics - PING.
Many modern vessels, including nuclear carriers and large oil tankers, are "Panamax" size, or too large to fit through the Panama Canal.
Beautiful ship!
I will save those pictures
WOW!!!!!
Can you post one here?
Great pics.
What a beautiful vessel.
Yay !
Yep....
Even a lot of the new bigger container ships.
Sort of makes a lot of the "Chinese control the Panama Canal!" whining moot, since Carrier battle groups can't use the canal anyway, nor most big freighters or tankers of real economic significance. It simply isn't that strategically significant.
What beautiful photos. Thanks so much for starting this thread and posting the pics. I went to the Reagan Library last weekend and picked up one of the USS Reagan caps. Also, I live in the L.A. area and am going to keep my eye out for when the San Diego Navy yard has its next open house after she makes port. I really, really, REALLY want to see her.
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