SINGAPORE: Two ships and more than 5,000 Sailors from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrived in Singapore June 24.
The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the strike group’s flagship, and guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), moored pierside at Changi Naval Base for their first port visit in their 2009 Western Pacific deployment.
Nearly 400 Ronald Reagan CSG Sailors are scheduled to participate in 13 volunteer projects for local schools, elderly care centers and charitable foundations.
“The level of support from our Sailors has been outstanding,” said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “Ronald Reagan Sailors consider it their duty to make a difference ashore, when we’re guests of other nations.”
Ronald Reagan CSG, commanded by Rear Adm. Scott Hebner, is currently operating in 7th Fleet’s Area of Responsibility as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to promote cooperation, security and stability in the region.
Along with Ronald Reagan and Chancellorsville, the CSG consists of ships from Destroyer Squadron 7; the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43).
Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan. The squadrons of CVW-14 include the “Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, the “Fist of the Fleet” of VFA-25, the “Stingers” of VFA-113, the “Eagles” of VFA-115, the “Black Eagles” of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 113, the “Cougars” of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139, the “Providers” of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30, and the “Black Knights” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.
This is the fourth deployment for Ronald Reagan. The ship is named after the 40th U.S. president and carries the motto of “Peace through Strength,” a recurrent theme during the Reagan presidency.
