The US Navy’s Nimitz-class forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) has set sail to conduct sea trials following the successful completion of a two-day fast cruise.
CVN 76 is set to undergo a one-week sea trial period in order to evaluate its systems and equipment after a four-month selected restricted availability.
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The trials will involve combined maintenance teams from CVN 76, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and the US Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center.
USS Ronald Reagan commanding officer captain Buzz Donnelly said: “This is what we have been working towards for these last few months.
“Everyone involved has made it possible to get us poised for success for our upcoming patrols.
“I’m proud of the crew and we’re ready to showcase our capability.”
The vessel’s crew will participate in a series of major assessments during the trial programme, including the execution of high-speed turns, sea and anchor evolutions, and precision anchoring trials.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier’s countermeasure wash-down and aqueous film forming foam systems will also be tested as part of the initiative.
In addition, personnel are expected to evaluate the vessel’s self-defence weaponry during the trial programme.
USS Ronald Reagan quartermaster 3rd class Miguel Medrano said: “We have to make sure the ship drives likes it’s supposed to and that all our watch teams, from engineering to the bridge, are ready to go for a full patrol.”
CVN 76 is currently deployed with the US Navy as the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5.
The vessel offers a combat-ready force that helps protect and defend the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
The aircraft carrier successfully completed the US Navy’s mandated Crew Certification Phases II and III in April, which saw inspectors from the Afloat Training Group Western Pacific (ATGWP) ensure that the vessel is prepared to safely sail on the sea with a qualified and trained crew.
