Forward Deployed Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Back in Port After Sea Trials

May 20, 2018 8:16 PM
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) departs US Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka on May 11, 2018. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is back in port after a week’s worth of sea trials, according to U.S. 7th Fleet.

Tests included, “the execution of high-speed turns, sea and anchor evolutions, precision anchoring trials, testing of countermeasure wash-down and aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) systems and testing of the ship’s self-defense weapons system,” according to the statement.

“I think we came out of this pretty successful,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Makayla Medrano, from El Paso, Texas said in a statement.
“We received a bunch of new equipment that needed to be tested. Repair lockers are being stocked. Sea trials were a good chance to make sure all our equipment is ready to go.”

The ship departed Yokosuka on May 11 after completing a two-day fast cruise in which the crew tests ship systems pier-side.

The forward-deployed carrier recently completed its annual maintenance availability in Yokosuka, Japan that began in January. Part of the effort included a two-month effort to resurface the four and a half acre surface of the carrier’s flight deck.

Reagan returned from a three-month cruise in the Western Pacific in November.

While the ship was being repaired, the Navy deployed the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group for an abbreviated three-month deployment to the Western Pacific. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and its escorts had returned from a deployment less than a year before.

Vinson deployed with its strike group that included guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) and guided-missile destroyers USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108) and USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), from Destroyer Squadron 1.

The Vinson CSG returned from deployment in April.

The following is the complete statement from the Navy on Reagan’s sea trials.

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) — The forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, May 17, after completing sea trials.

The seven-day evolution measured the crew’s ability to operate critical systems and perform underway operational evolutions following an extensive selected restricted availability (SRA).

“The ship performed remarkably well as we put her through the required steps,” said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “The crew’s training and preparation was a primary factor during all of the evolutions, and they should feel very good about the fact that they came in well-prepared and executed as well as they did.”

During sea trials, Ronald Reagan’s crew performed major evaluations, including the execution of high-speed turns, sea and anchor evolutions, precision anchoring trials, testing of countermeasure wash-down and aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) systems and testing of the ship’s self-defense weapons system.

“I think we came out of this pretty successful,” said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Makayla Medrano, from El Paso, Texas. “We received a bunch of new equipment that needed to be tested. Repair lockers are being stocked. Sea trials were a good chance to make sure all our equipment is ready to go.”

Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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