The aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan set off Friday for a year-long overhaul in Bremerton, Wash.
"Maintaining the ship's material condition is an important part of ensuring that Ronald Reagan reaches its 50-year life cycle," said the carrier's commander, Capt. Thom Burke. "The next year will help us remain a fully-capable war-fighting vessel."
The move to Bremerton is “a rare chance to get deep into the ship and do major maintenance on the shafting and the propellers and tanks."
The ship, based in San Diego since 2004, has been deployed five times in the last six years.
Most of the crew's families will remain in San Diego, officials said, in hopes that the Reagan will return to be homeported again in Coronado. There is a chance, however, that it could be relocated.
The carrier returned in September after conducting relief efforts following Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami. The sailors, Marines and airmen also supported operations in the Middle East.
The Reagan was scheduled to leave in the morning, but departure was moved to the afternoon because of a mechanical glitch Thursday.
The Puget Sound Naval Shipyard is the only government dry dock on the West Coast capable of handling a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.
– City News Service contributed to this report
