USS Ronald Reagan CNV-76

[The Sailor]

The mighty and probably the ultimate ship of war.

The NIMITZ class carrier.


Displacement: 77,600+ tons

Dimensions: 1,040' wl (1,092' oa) x 134' (252' fd) x 37' / 317 wl (332.8 oa) x 40.8 (76.8 fd) x 11.3 meters

Power plant: 2 A4W nuclear reactors, 4 steam turbines, 4 screws; 260,000+ shp (*) — Speed: 30+ knots — Endurance: 1.5 million nm @ 20 knots

Armament: Two Mk.29 8-cell NATO Sea Sparrow launchers; two 21-cell RAM launchers —

Radar: SPS-48E 3D air search; SPS-49A(V)1 2D air search; SPS-67(V) surface search; Mk.23 target acquisition; SPN-43B and 2 SPN-46 air traffic control; SPN-44A landing aid

Fire control: 3 Mk.91 NSSM systems with Mk.95 radars — EW: SLQ-32(V)4 active jamming/deception; WLR-1H ESM; Mk.36 SRBOC decoy; SLQ-25A Nixie decoy

Aircraft: 80+ — Aviation facilities: 4 elevators; 4 steam catapults

Crew: 5,700-5,900


Operational and Building Data
Contract awarded on 8 December 1994 to Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Newport News, Va. Laid down 12 February 1998. Launched 10 March 2001. Commissioned 12 July 2003.

Status: Active, in commission. Homeported at San Diego, California.

In a pic below, the USS Ronald Reagan passes the USS Arizona memorial, Pearl Harbor.

MP3 via Flash

[herakles]

Yes, truly astonishing.

Discovery Channel ran a series of The Best ... .... in the recent past.

I think Nimitz was ranked No1 in naval ships but I'm not sure now. If not first then second. I was pleased that HMS Hood featured in the top 10.

Just as in their best aeroplanes, the dear old Mosquito was right up near the top. Not bad for a plane made of wood! The Spitfire was nowhere to be seen however.

[herakles]

Another thought ... ...

Despite the awesome power of the Nimitz class, the days of them must be numbered. As I understand it, an aircraft carrier now needs about 15 support ships around her for protection.

But then again, I feel the writing is on the wall for navies in general. What they do can be done better by other means.

Anyone like to argue this point? Anyone??

[The Sailor]

I've been to Pearl twice to see the Arizona.
The first time was on a ferry . It circles the area and they throw a wreath in and stop a moment.
I looked around at all the others that were on the deck with my wife and myself. They were all Japanese. What a joke it all is.

[herakles]

I've done that trip too. Oil still leaking out of her!

In my case, it wasn't Jap tourists, it was American. None of them would take the trip out to her as it had been raining and the seats were damp. The PO i/c and I shared a few thoughts on that. He was furious!

[The Sailor]

Another thought ... ...

Despite the awesome power of the Nimitz class, the days of them must be numbered. As I understand it, an aircraft carrier now needs about 15 support ships around her for protection.

But then again, I feel the writing is on the wall for navies in general. What they do can be done better by other means.

Anyone like to argue this point? Anyone??

Well it's a great way to project air power anywhere in the world. Sure beats shore bases. You take the town and airport with you when you go.
Especially as they don't need conventional fuel.

[TheDigger]

I have been to San Diego several times and my last vist there the Ronald Regan was anchored in the Harbour. I have been there and seen 4 Aircraft Carriers anchored and ready for action.

There is a memorial there and the following picture shows some of the carries of the Main Class CVN 76 being the last in this proud linage

[Alan B]

Their size is certainly impressive. I went around the Enterprise when she came to Pompey, had to refuel the boat twice ha ha.

[AlZictorini]

I was on the Lusty when this photo was taken, it was strange being on one of our biggest pussers war canoes, yet still I was looking up from the deck at the Stennis??

Massive

AlZ
:mad:

[John Brown]

Digger

When did you last go to San Diego? Only, I drove there from Longbeach (staying a week on the old RMS Queen Mary) back in April 2001 and we couldn't get in the base. Some burly marine on the gate told us in no uncertain terms that, since an earlier terrorist threat, civilian visitors were no longer being allowed into the base. Still, the drive there back was pleasant!!

Regards....John

[BB60]

Some burly marine on the gate told us in no uncertain terms that, since an earlier terrorist threat, civilian visitors were no longer being allowed into the base.

I'm guessing that you opted not disagree with him as to the need to deny you access?;)

[ceylon220]

Here is the RONALD REAGAN in company with the Brazilian carrier(foreground)
BNS SAO PAULO former French carrier Foch.

[sierra hotel]

Beg to differ with that posting. These ships are good for 50 years each and CVN 65 is still going strong, CVN 76 is just a baby, and CVN 77 is in Newport News Building, and the CVN 78 Gerald Ford will be built. Awesome, moveable US real estate self supporting and mission capable indefinitely, there is nothing anywhere like Power Projection on these terms moving off a foreign or even domestic shores.
Requiring 50 ships to support it??? Really, where did you here that...These days a CBG maybe has 5 or 6 ships at the most, including the sub riding point. All you need is a big AO-R Bridge class, a couple DDGs, a CG and thats pretty much it. Gone for 6 months. The Fleet Train can rotate out and the carrier can stay on station. Right now I think one of the CVNs just left for an 8 month deployment to WESTPAC.... rough cruise for crew on board, but the ships will mission capable every day.

[sierra hotel]

Sorry, you indicated 15 ships 'necessary' to support a BG....well, like I said, the current CBGs require less than half of that. No Blue Water Soviet threat anymore requiring a heavy AEGIS screen from inquiring Krivaks.

Tell me what asset the US has that can maintain 100 plane hitting power on a days notice, in theatre? and maintained for weeks on end? Air Force cant do the job. The F 15s are old and falling out of the sky, the F 16s....single engined, are on short legs and looking for tankers all the time, and the A 10s
are the only real in theatre asset for ground support....and all of these are based at vulnerable air bases on unfriendly sand.
Cant move an air base at night and show up somewhere else the next dawn, but the carriers can pop up on any horizon whenever THEY want to.

Carriers are here to stay, worth the bucks. I remember when there were 15 in the fleet....now, down to 10 but it should stay there for awhile.

[sierra hotel]

I've been to Pearl twice to see the Arizona.
The first time was on a ferry . It circles the area and they throw a wreath in and stop a moment.
I looked around at all the others that were on the deck with my wife and myself. They were all Japanese. What a joke it all is.

Really...a JOKE YOU SAY.????? AND YOU MAINTAIN IT AS IT STILL STANDS BY INDICATING ITS STILL A JOKE??? Tell that to the 1,100 sailors still on watch just feet below the surface.
What if there were tour boats over Scapa Flow, full of German Tourists, as it passes over the wreck of the ROYAL OAK?? Is that still a joke??

The Japanese go to Pearl with respect and humility. They partake in the Annual Dec. 7th Ceremonies. Even now that its a couple generations on, they know and understand the solemnity of the place and occasions.

[astraltrader]

Ray - I couldn`t agree more with what you say.

Can I just say that The Sailor is no longer with us in the forum [he left last Febuary] and his views were very much his own!

[herakles]

Ray - I couldn`t agree more with what you say.

Can I just say that The Sailor is no longer with us in the forum [he left last Febuary] and his views were very much his own!

No. His views were not just his own.

[John Odom]

I was at Pearl Harbor on Dec 7, 2007, for the dedication of the USS Oklahoma monument. ( For the reason I'm part of the USS Oklahoma family see:
http://home.comcast.net/~jodom25)

There were many Japanese at the Arizona monument. They were all respectful and many were decendents of the original combatants. Japanese in general are very respectful of wariors, both their own and their oponents.
Unfortunately our schedule was so tight I had no time for conversation with them on this trip. I have talked to many Japanese veterans in Japan. See my posts in the "Atrocities" thread in the Japanese ships forum.

[herakles]

It's certainly true that one can't hold a later generation guilty of the sins of their fathers.

If that was the case every Colonial power would be held to account. The past is the past and should stay there.

[astraltrader]

Absolutely in agreement John. More than 65 years after the event, mutual respect and desire to look forward has to be the bottom line.
Bigotry, xenophobia and racial hatred underlined all of the worst atrocities of WW2 - and there is no place for it amongst civilised people today.

[herakles]

Bigotry, xenophobia and racial hatred underlined all of the worst atrocities of WW2 - and there is no place for it amongst civilised people today.

The trouble is that xenophobia and racial hatred are just as alive today as they were then.

[astraltrader]

Alive yes. As much - I dont think so. As long as it is not alive and well in this forum.

[John Odom]

Yes, we must each strive to root it out of our own hearts, and set a public example of acceptance and understanding.

[herakles]

Yes, we must each strive to root it out of our own hearts, and set a public example of acceptance and understanding.

I don't think it's found "in our hearts". That's the trouble. These feelings are intimately tied up with tribal values - protecting the tribe from outsiders, keeping the line pure etc.

Of course we must try hard but we are battling inner feelings. Look at the strong feelings generated at the Games over the medals table. Or even the media's consistent attacks on China.

[astraltrader]

Why dont you start a new thread about these fascinating thoughts in Shore Leave?