Home Asia Pacific US carrier USS Ronald Reagan departs Japan for Indo-Pacific tour

US carrier USS Ronald Reagan departs Japan for Indo-Pacific tour

USS Ronald Reagan getting underway from Yokosuka, Japan, for its 2022 deployment
Photo: US Navy

The US Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) departed Yokosuka naval base, Japan on May 20 with its strike group for a deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.

During this at-sea period, Ronald Reagan, its strike group ships, the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15 staffs, are expected to work with allies and partners, as well as maintain presence and flexibility to meet the needs of the Pentagon, the navy said in a release

Ronald Reagan got underway after completing sea trials in preparation for deployment on May 17.

“Ronald Reagan’s forward deployed presence underscores our nation’s commitment to our allies and partners,” said Capt. Fred Goldhammer, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “Our crew has worked very hard to make the ship ready to face any future challenge, and I am tremendously proud of their efforts. The Sailors onboard Ronald Reagan are incredibly talented and resilient, and their unwavering commitment to our mission helps ensure that our nation’s maritime presence remains strong.”

A day after Reagan got underway from Yokosuka, sister ship USS Abraham Lincoln arrived at the base for a scheduled port visit. The Abraham Lincoln CSG is on a scheduled deployment to the 7th Fleet area of operations after getting underway from San Diego in January this year.

Ronald Reagan is underway again after completing a five-month deployment in 2021, during which it stayed three months in the Middle East, supporting operations Freedom’s Sentinel and Allies Refuge. It also operated in the South China Sea twice during that deployment.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group will include the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG 54) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), as well as Arleigh Burke-class destroyers from DESRON 15.