USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) & Carrier Strike Group 7

Comment

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on June 9, 2009 at 10:05pm

Interesting Reading:

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group Honors Midway Veterans
Story Number: NNS090608-13
Release Date: 6/8/2009 10:23:00 PM


From Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs

USS THACH, At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group paid homage to veterans of the Battle of Midway and WWII in a special burial at sea ceremony in the Central Pacific June 6.

The crew of the guided missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43), a ship named after Battle of Midway hero Adm. Jimmy Thach, performed a burial at sea for retired Cmdr. Dale "Abe" Simmons, one of Thachs' former wingmen.

"Reading about the heroic exploits of Abe Simmons gave me chills," said Cmdr. Dave Haas, Thach's commanding officer.

"Today, we honor a hero, and bury him at sea as he wished. But we also are saluting all of the veterans of Midway, one of the most strategic battles in Navy history. Heroes like our namesake, Admiral Jimmy Thach, changed the course of world history with their heroism, and it is an honor for our ship to bear his name and carry his legacy."

During the ceremony, Thach was the centerpiece of a formation of the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which included the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101). As the ships steamed into the sunset, Thach Sailors committed Simmons' ashes to the sea while F/A-18 strike fighters from Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 flew overhead in the missing man formation.

"As an aviator, it is humbling," said Cmdr. Richard Brophy, commanding officer of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115, and leader of the aerial formation. "To honor a legend like Commander Simmons in the same waters that witnessed one of our greatest victories is inspiring."

Aboard Thach, the crew solemnly reflected on their special connection to the heroes of yesterday.

"Midway was a victory of not only courage and determination but also of ordinary Sailors, like all of us, doing extraordinary things," said Haas.

The burial at sea aboard Thach culminated three days of Midway remembrance in the strike group. Aboard the flagship, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Sailors watched related movies on the 67th anniversary of the Battle of Midway June 4 and held a special sunset wreath laying June 5.

"The commitment and mettle of the American Sailor are unchanged," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "Our core values of honor, courage and commitment are the same as they were 67 years ago."

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group deployed from San Diego May 28 and is headed to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Operation. The squadrons of CVW 14 include Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, VFA-25, VFA-113, VFA-115, Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30 and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.

USS Ronald Reagan is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 and the ninth of 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship is named for the 40th president; its motto, "Peace through Strength," was a recurring theme during the Reagan presidency.

For more news from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn76/.

Comment by James M on June 6, 2009 at 1:33pm

Hello,
i hadn't heard from him since he left. i heard it might be a couple weeks, but still wait eagerly. i also sent a package last week and another today with a few goodies. i think steve has to work in the gally or kitchen for 90 days. he also mentioned work around the catapult. i hope to find out his itinerary,wold like to fly to a port to see him, heard it could be done. steven dosn't offer to much information,he's always been quite.

Comment by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin on June 6, 2009 at 8:51am

Hey James,
not to many of us here with kids on the Reagan. So I'm glad to have you with us. I received an email from Evan this morning. Everything is going well. He is working on the flight deck this cruise and he said they are working his butt off. He can't wait to the first port. The wife and I sent off his first care package last week and he's already asking when the next one will be sent. LOL So how's Steven doing?

Comment by James M on June 6, 2009 at 8:43am

Hello,
anyone heard from there sailors? not too much activity here. james

Comment by Paige on May 29, 2009 at 10:20am

EG, thanks for sharing Evan's experience with me. I'll let Billy know what you told me.

Comment by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin on May 28, 2009 at 7:59pm

Paige tell Billy not to worry. He will get his sea legs soon enough. This is Evan's second deployment with the Reagan so far. He will work on the flight deck this time, so he was excited to get this one underway but he still likes dry land best. Also tell him Evan thought he wouldn't make the first cruise but once he finished school they flew him to the ship with only a couple months left in the deployment. So there is always a chance he could make this one.

Comment by Paige on May 28, 2009 at 7:36pm

Billy is so disappointed that he's missing this deployment with the USS Howard. He will be finishing his last C-School around the time the ship is expected to return.

Comment by Paige on May 28, 2009 at 7:29pm

NNS090528-13. USS Ronald Reagan Deploys

From Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) departed San Diego May 28 on a deployment to the 7th and 5th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

The carrier joins the other ships of its strike group which departed the day prior, including the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7, which include the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101), and the guided missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan.

"I'm proud of these Sailors, and I'm proud of their families - proud of their commitment, their excellence and their dedicated service," said Rear Adm. Scott Hebner, commander, Carrier Strike Group 7. "They understand the importance of their mission and the challenges ahead of them - they have worked hard, and they are ready."

Friends and family members of Sailors aboard Ronald Reagan bid their Sailors farewell from the pier on Naval Air Station North Island.

"Be safe and strong. We are here to support them. It's a tough job, and we are proud of them," said Pam Ortiz-Martin, a wife of a Sailor aboard Ronald Reagan.

The deployment is the fourth for the San Diego-based Ronald Reagan, which recently received its second Battle "E" award for being the most combat-efficient carrier in the Pacific Fleet. The Ronald Reagan/CVW-14 team also received the Ramage Award for most efficient carrier-air wing team in the entire Navy.

During its last deployment, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group performed a humanitarian assistance mission, supporting the armed forces of the Philippines delivering more than 519,000 pounds of fresh water, rice and medical supplies to people affected by Typhoon Fengshen. Additionally, CVW-14, staging from Ronald Reagan in the Gulf of Oman, flew more than 1,150 combat sorties in support of coalition troops in Afghanistan, while the ships of DESRON 7 supported maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet Area of Operations.

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the "Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Eagles" of VFA-115, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 139, the "Providers" of Carrier Logistics Support 30, and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4.

Ronald Reagan is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 7 and the ninth of 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship is named for the 40th president; its motto, "Peace through Strength," was a recurring theme during the Reagan presidency.

For more news from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) - Ronald Reagan Strike Group, visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn76/.

Comment by NavyDads Admin (Paul) on May 23, 2009 at 10:18pm

Some news about the strike group:

Ronald Reagan CSG Ready to Deploy
Story Number: NNS090522-27
Release Date: 5/22/2009 2:47:00 PM



From U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 will depart San Diego May 27 to begin a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment.

CSG 7 includes Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the ships of Commander, Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 7, which include destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). A detachment from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 will also be embarked aboard the carrier.

The Ronald Reagan CSG will play a key role supporting our nation's maritime strategy, which calls for credible combat power to be continuously postured to protect America's vital interests, assuring our friends and allies of our continued commitment to regional security and to deter and dissuade potential conflicts.

Ronald Reagan is the flagship of CSG 7 and the ninth of 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship is named for the 40th president and the ship's motto, "Peace through Strength," was a recurring theme during the Reagan presidency.

This deployment will be the fourth for the San Diego-based Ronald Reagan, which recently received its second Battle "E" award for being the most combat-efficient carrier in the Pacific Fleet. Ronald Reagan CVW 14 also received the "Ramage" award for most efficient carrier air-wing team in the entire Navy.

During its last deployment, the Ronald Reagan CSG performed a humanitarian assistance mission, supporting the armed forces of the Philippines, delivering more than 519,000 pounds of fresh water, rice and medical supplies to people affected by Typhoon Fengshen. Additionally, CVW-14, staging from Ronald Reagan in the Gulf of Oman, flew more than 1,150 combat sorties in support of coalition troops in Afghanistan, while the ships of COMDESRON 7 supported maritime security in the 5th Fleet area of operations.

The squadrons of CVW-14 include the "Redcocks" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the "Fist of the Fleet" of VFA-25, the "Stingers" of VFA-113, the "Eagles" of VFA-115, the "Black Eagles" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the "Hustlers" of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30 Detachment 1 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.

For more news from Commander U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c3f.

Comment by E.G. - ND's Creator/Admin on May 15, 2009 at 7:12pm

Thanks Paige, I'll check it out.

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• …
• 26
• 27
• 28
• 29
• 30
• …
• 32
• Next ›
• Page