The USS Ronald Reagan, ninth nuclear-powered aircraft carrier class Nimitz of the US Navy the 4 March 2001 was launched in Newport News and is deployed in the naval base of Yokosuka, in central-eastern Japan.
Classified as CVN 76 (Aircraft Carrier Nuclear), like all class nuclear aircraft carriers Nimitz it is powered by two A4W nuclear reactors that allow it to reach a cruising speed of 30 knots (55 km / h), has a length of 332.85 meters and an approximate displacement of 97.000 tons. The maximum width of the hull is 40.8 meters. The bridge is 76.8 meters long and is equipped with a CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take Off But Arrested Recovery) system for launching and recovering embarked aircraft.
The USS Reagan embarks the Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, composed of 60 + aircraft divided into: four squares 'VFA' of multi-role attack aircraft F / A-18 C Hornet or F / A-18 E and F Super Hornet, a 'VAQ' squadron for the electronic war of Growler EA-18G, a 'VAW' squadron of twin-engine turboprops every-time Hawkeye E-2C, an 'HSC' squadron consisting of combat helicopters Sea Hawk MH-60S, an 'HSM' squadron for anti-ship / anti-submarine warfare composed of Sea Hawk MH-60R, a 'VRC' squadron for the logistic support composed by Greyhounds C-2A.
The crew of a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier counts among the 3.000 and 3.200 sailors, 1.500 components of theAir Wing and 500 other crew members including specialists, marines, and technical personnel.
The offensive / defensive weapon systems of theUSS Reagan they are entrusted to naval missiles Sea Sparrow, Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM) and super-fast anti-aircraft guns Phalanx CIWS.
The USS Reagan is accompanied by his Carrier Strike Group (CSG) composed of the class launcher cruiser Ticonderoga USS Chancellorsville (CG 62) and USS Shiloh (CG-67), and the missile launcher class Arleigh Burke USS Barry (DDG 52), USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG 54), USS McCampbell (DDG 85).
Deployed in the Japan Sea and headed for the Korean peninsula following the tensions caused by the missile tests carried out by North Korea, the USS Reagan took part in the operations Iraqi Freedom ed Enduring Freedom.
(photo: US Navy)
