Posted on 07/06/2006 12:24:35 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan returned Thursday from its first deployment.
With a crew of nearly 5,000, the vessel spent six months in the western Pacific Ocean and Persian Gulf, where it supported operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Three ships with the Ronald Reagan's Carrier Strike Group - the guided-missile destroyers McCampbell and Decatur and the cruiser Lake Champlain - also steamed into San Diego Bay, escorted by SH-60 Seahawk helicopters.
Servicemembers were greeted by thousands of flag-and-sign-waving family members and friends who packed the docks at Naval Air Station North Island.
Some sailors saw their babies for the first time.
Since its deployment on Jan. 4, the Ronald Reagan has launched more than 6,100 aircraft sorties, about half of which were conducted in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, according to the Navy.
"With the speed, agility and persistence of this modern carrier strike group, we made a difference in helping to deter terrorism around the globe," Rear Adm. Michael H. Miller said in a prepared statement.
The ship made port visits in Brisbane, Australia; Singapore; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Kuala Lumpur; and Hong Kong.
It took five years to build the Navy's newest Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It can travel at more than 30 knots and is powered by two nuclear reactors.
At 1,092 feet, the Ronald Reagan is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. Its flight deck spans more than 4.5 acres.
No pics??
USS Ronald Reagan CVN 76...
Welcome home.
Didn't you know? It traversed the last few feet very slowly.
68 is Nimitz
Sailors line the sides of the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier as the ship docks at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Calif., Thursday, July 6, 2006. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its crew of nearly 5,000 sailors returned to San Diego from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific Ocean. It was the first mission for the ship since being commissioned in 2003. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
Navy sailors wave American flags as a Navy SH-60 Seahawk helicopter flies above as the USS Ronald Reagan aircraft carrier docks at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, Calif., Thursday, July 6, 2006. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier and its crew of nearly 5,000 sailors returned to San Diego from a six-month deployment to the Persian Gulf and Western Pacific Ocean. It was the first mission for the ship since being commissioned in 2003. (AP Photo/Denis Poroy)
AAAHHHHHHH!!!!
I love US Navy ship pics.
Thanks.
It somehow bugs me that the USS Ronald Reagan is home ported in a state whose residents by and large dislike the military and the policies of this particular ship's namesake. Perhaps Jacksonville would be more fitting.
On the other hand, it is nice to remind the looney left that it is California that gave us Ronald Reagan.
Push the Photo zoom slide all the way to the - end or top and you can see 2 other carriers in the background docked at North Island, one of which is the CVN76, the other is the CVN68.
The one closest to you is the USS Midway.
gallery of USS Ronald reagan pics from construction to completion http://www.navsource.org/archives/02/76.htm
From an earlier voyage.
Thanks! Some great pics.
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