Carrier USS Ronald Reagan Chops Into 7th Fleet

By: Sam LaGrone

The Navy’s Japan-bound carrier — part of an elaborate three nuclear carrier swap — has entered the Western Pacific, the service announced over the weekend.

Entering U.S. 7^th Fleet, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is a step closer to assuming its new role as forward deployed U.S. carrier based out of Yokosuka, Japan — taking the place of USS George Washington (CVN-73).

“Ronald Reagan’s forward deployment to 7th Fleet demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the region and our allies,” said Rear Adm. John Alexander, commander, Battle Force 7th Fleet, said in a statement.
“It reiterates the importance of the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force interoperability, and ensures we have the most capable platform forward when it matters, where it matters.”

The carrier departed San Diego, Calif. on Aug. 31 as part of a three-ship-shuffle that movesWashington to the East Coast to undergo a mid-life refit and refueling and moves USSTheodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. to take the place of Reagan.

Washington left earlier this month, four days late, ultimately bound for Newport News Shipbuilding for a multi-billion refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) on the heels of USSAbraham Lincoln (CVN-72).

As part of the swap the crews of all the carriers will largely stay in place while the ships move.

“Approximately two-thirds of each crew will remain in their original homeport while one-third will remain with their ship, including reactor department personnel and aircraft carrier commanding officers, executive officers and command master chiefs,” read a Navy statement.

According to estimates from the Navy, the swap will save the service about $41 million in moving expenses for the crews.