The USS Ronald Reagan's Return Follows Aid Efforts in Japan

Both of Coronado's home-ported carriers had brushes with history this year—the USS Carl Vinson's was more celebrated than the USS Ronald Reagan's, but each was significant.

Osama bin Laden's body was taken aboard the Vinson for burial at sea after Navy SEALs killed him in May, while the Reagan ferried aid to Japan after the March earthquake and tsunami that decimated the east coast of the island of Honshu.

The Reagan's commanding officer, Capt. Thom Burke, discussed the aid mission, the dangers involved and more as he took questions via a conference call Wednesday, two days before the carrier returns to Naval Air Station North Island after a seven-month deployment.

The Reagan shifted operations to Japan following the quake, despite the threat posed by the nuclear crisis triggered by the disasters.

“That was absolutely the biggest challenge of the deployment, trying our level best to help our friends and allies in Japan,” Burke said. 

Another major challenge: ensuring the safety of the crew as failures at the Fukushima-Daiichi nuclear power plant caused the release of radiation. Burke said it was “a very tedious business” to ensure the Reagan was free of irradiated material.

The crew monitored wind patterns to keep the carrier away from airborne contaminants, scrubbed down aircraft and the flight deck, and even temporarily confiscated belongings for safety's sake.

The caution paid off. There are “no concerns whatsoever for the health of this crew,” Burke said. “Whatsoever.”

The sailors and Marines aboard also supported operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, flying 900 missions to help troops on the ground.

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) includes the cruiser USS Chancellorsville and the destroyer USS Preble, which are based in San Diego. The group carries 6,000 sailors.

In addition, Carrier Air Wing 14, including Hornets, Super Hornets and Hawkeyes, is aboard the Reagan.

The carrier was at sea for the celebration of former President Ronald Reagan’s centennial Feb. 6, but was part of an F-18 flyover at the Reagan Library four days after leaving North Island.

The USS Ronald Reagan is to be sent to Washington next year for maintenance, with most of the current crew.