USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Makes Grand Entrance in Bremerton

As the USS Ronald Reagan returned to the United States, it marked the end of its participation in exercise Valiant Shield 2024 and a significant port visit in Guam. The aircraft carrier then transitioned to the 3rd Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) where a hull swap operation was conducted.

“I am incredibly proud of our crew and the work they’ve accomplished in our time as the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier,” said Capt. Daryle Cardone, commanding officer of USS Ronald Reagan. “They were asked to perform at the highest level and exceeded those expectations. Now we are looking forward to making upgrades to the ship, and even more well-deserved time stateside for the crew.”

Upon the ship’s arrival, hundreds of Ronald Reagan Sailors, clad in their service dress white uniforms, manned the rails. Friends and family members awaited eagerly on the pier to welcome them home.

“I’m so happy to finally see my family after this deployment,” shared Operations Specialist 1st Class Hilaire Kouamo, who was surrounded by his wife and kids. “I love them so much and I’m happy to be back.”

During its deployment, Ronald Reagan participated in the inaugural multinational exercise Valiant Shield 2024 alongside U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s joint forces and Japan Self-Defense Forces. The exercise, spanning from June 7 to June 18, included complex multi-axis and multi-domain operations, enhancing U.S. and ally interoperability.

Ronald Reagan also visited Guam, where Sailors volunteered with local communities and explored the island’s sights, history, and culture. This port visit served as a scheduled respite and a time to strengthen ties with the local population.

Following these activities, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier George Washington (CVN 73) met Ronald Reagan in San Diego for a hull swap. The transfer included the embarked Air Wing and Staffs, such as Task Force 70 (CTF 70), Carrier Air Wing 5 (CVW 5), and Destroyer Squadron 15 (DESRON 15), along with about 350 Sailors—13 percent of the USS Ronald Reagan crew.

“Even though Ronald Reagan’s time in 7th Fleet is over, we are still in the fight,” said Cardone. “The success of our previous deployments is a testament to the crew’s warfighting capability and our adaptability in an ever-changing theater. Everything we accomplished while forward-deployed carries over as we continue to improve the ship and prepare the crew for Ronald Reagan’s next chapter.”

As an integral part of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. 3rd Fleet operates naval forces in the Indo-Pacific and provides training essential to the Navy’s roles of sea control and power projection. U.S. 3rd Fleet collaborates with other numbered fleets to offer ready forces capable of winning in daily competition, crises, and conflicts.

Naval Base Kitsap, one of the Navy’s largest and most complex fleet concentration areas in the United States, hosts more than 70 tenant commands. These include Commander, Navy Region Northwest; Commander, Submarine Group 9; Commander, Carrier Strike Group 3; and several Research, Development, Testing, and Evaluation commands. The base spans over 12,000 acres across the Kitsap Peninsula, supporting various strategic missions and producing substantial economic benefits for local communities.