USS RONALD REGAN

Courtesy of Bob Earl

Story and photos by an Aussie

USS Ronald Regan berthed in Brisbane, AU – Also known as a “Humdinger!”

This is the first time a Nimitz class aircraft carrier has berthed in Brisbane. Contrary to the publicity, the roads to Luggage Point were not blocked off, and although there was a heavy police presence during the day, this tapered off in the evening. This afforded great views of this vessel, which only just fit in the frame of my camera with a 50mm lens.

The nuclear powered ship dwarfed almost everything in the harbor, including the oil tankers, which although long, were no match for the 330m length, 20 story height and 76m width of the USS Ronald Reagan. Even more amazing was the number of strike aircraft on display on the deck - the USS Ronald Reagan is home to more than 80 combat aircraft. This included a startling number of F/A-18 S-3B Vikings, EA-6B Prowlers, E-2C Hawkeyes, C-2A Greyhounds, and SH-60 Sea Hawk Helicopters,

SEE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AT THE END OF THE PHOTOS

Click on photos for enlargement

USS Ronald Regan

From left, C-2A Greyhound, F/A-18 Hornets, and a SeaHawk helicopter visible on deck

Two E-2C Hawkeyes with their characteristic radar equipment shaped like a cigar visible above the other aircraft.

Just look at that firepower!

Fom left, A C-2A Greyhound and an , EA-6B Prowler with their wings folded up to save space.

It seems as though perhaps this visit is to celebrate the US generous gift of this fine $5 billion vessel to the Australian Navy - we can dream anyhow!

And of course, at night, it looked good all lit up.

Capability

Top speed exceeds 30 knots

Powered by two nuclear reactors that can operate for more than

tThan 20 years without refueling

Expected to operate in the fleet for about 50 years

Carries over 80 combat aircraft

Three arresting cables can stop a 28-ton aircraft going 150 miles
per hour in less than 400 feet

Size

Towers 20 stories above the waterline

1,092 feet long; nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall
Flight deck covers 4.5 acres

4 Bronze propellers, each 21 feet across and weighing 66,200 pounds

4 high speed aircraft elevators, each over 4,000 square feet

Dates

December 8, 1994 Contract awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding

February 12, 1998 Keel laid

October 1, 2000 Pre-commissioning Unit established

March 4, 2001 Christened by Mrs. Nancy Regan

May 5, 2003 First underway

July 12, 2003 Commissioned

July 23, 2004 Arrived at homeport in San Diego, CA

Capacity

Home to about 6,000 Navy personnel

Carries enough food and supplies to operate for 90 days

18,150 meals served daily

Distillation plants provide 400,000 gallons of fresh water distilled from

sea water daily, enough for 2,000 homes

Nearly 30,000 light fixtures and 1,325 miles of cable and wiring

1,400 telephones, 14,000 pillowcases and 28,000 sheets

Costs the Navy approximately $250,000 per day for pier side operation

Costs the Navy approximately $2.5 million per day for underway operations
(Sailor’s salaries included in both)