Ships from the US Navy’s Japan-based Ronald Reagan carrier strike group are underway in the Indo-Pacific as part of their 2020 deployment, the service has announced.
This deployment marks USS Ronald Reagan’s (CVN 76) fifth year of service as part of US forward-deployed naval forces.
Following sea trials, Reagan commenced deployment by on-loading more than 1,000 tons of ordnance – enough combat power to cause the ship to sit five-inches lower on the waterline – in addition to personnel and aircraft from aviation squadrons within CVW-5. With more than 5,000 crew embarked, and 60-plus aircraft, Reagan is capable of sustaining around-the-clock maritime operations.
While underway, the Ronald Reagan CSG will work alongside allies and partners to strengthen regional capabilities, further develop warfighting concepts, and improve distributed maritime operations that provide layered defense options to protect shared interests.
The carrier deployed after receiving a new baseline of the consolidated afloat networks and enterprise services (CANES) in April this year.
