USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76)

USS Ronald Reagan is the biggest and most technologically advanced aircraft carrier in the world. Also know as (CVN-76), she is the ninth ship in the Nimitz class and the largest designation of flat top. She is the first nuclear powered warship of any kind to be named in honor of a former president still living at the time and the first ship in the Navy to bear the name. Powered by two nuclear reactors and driven by four bronzed propeller's weighing over 66,000 pounds each, the USS Ronald Reagan reaches speeds of over 30 knots. All the Nimitz class ships are almost identical. What makes this one the biggest is it's flight deck. The deck angle is increased from 9.05 degrees to 9.15 degrees from the center line. This allows unobstructed simultaneously launching and recovering of aircraft. (CVN-76) is practically a floating city, complete with it's own police department, "mayor" Commanding Officer, hospitals, laundry & dry cleaning services on-board, their own TV station, movie theater, legal department, fire department, and last but not least, it's own airport. With a projected service life into the 2050's, USS Ronald Reagan will be ready for anything for years to come, living up to her motto "Peace Through Strength".

The USS Regan's home port is Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California as a member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. NAS North Island resembles a small city in it's facility content and it's operations. It has it's own police and fire departments, as well as advanced military security stations. It has large factory-type buildings which comprise the Naval Aviation Depot, employing 3,300 civilians, and it's own commissary, Navy Exchange, and housing units. Recreation facilities include officer, chief petty officer and enlisted clubs, movie theater, golf course, tennis courts, bowling alley, parks and beaches. It's airfield has over 230 stationed aircraft, and it's quay wall is homeport to two aircraft carriers: USS Carl Vinson and USS Ronald Reagan. Additionally, the base is home to the Navy's only Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicles, Mystic (DSRV-1) and Avalon (DSRV-2). The DSRV motor vessel support ships are also homeported here. With all the ships in port, the population of the station is nearly 35,000 active duty military, selected reserve military, and civilian personnel.

Design and Construction

The contract to build Reagan was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia on 8 December 1994, and her keel was laid down on 12 February 1998. The budget for the ship had to be increased several times and ultimately $4.5 billion was spent on her construction. This included a redesigned ship island. Reagan was christened by Reagan's wife Nancy on 4 March 2001 at Newport News Shipbuilding, the crew moved aboard on 30 October 2002, and the ship was commissioned on 12 July 2003 at Naval Station Norfolk, with Captain J. W. Goodwin in command. Vice President Dick Cheney and Lynne Cheney were both present at the ceremony, as well as Nancy Reagan, who gave the ship's crew the traditional first order as an active unit of the Navy: "Man the ship and bring her to life." Ronald Reagan made her maiden voyage on 21 July 2003. President Reagan, who did not attend either the launch or the commissioning due to Alzheimer's disease, died eleven months later. At the end of the graveside services, the ship's commanding officer at that time, Captain James Symonds, presented the flag that draped the former president's casket to Mrs. Reagan at her request. This was also the flag that had flown over Capitol Hill on 20 January 1981, when the president was inaugurated. At a later date, Captain Symonds also presented Mrs. Reagan the flag that had been flying over Ronald Reagan when the former president died.

Commanding Officers

John William "Bill" Goodwin — November 2000 – 28 August 2003

James A. Symonds — 28 August 2003 – 17 November 2005

Terry B. Kraft — 17 November 2005 – 2 May 2008

Kenneth Joseph "KJ" Norton – 2 May 2008 – August 2010

Thom W. Burke – August 2010 – present

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