Aircraft Carrier Deploys (NBC San Diego):The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan departed from Naval Air Station North Island Wednesday shortly after 9 a.m. on its maiden deployment.Godspeed, Reagan!
Just before 10 a.m., the $4.5 billion carrier cruised past Point Loma and out of San Diego Bay. The Reagan is leading a strike group that includes the guided-missile destroyers McCampbell and Decatur and guided-missile cruiser Lake Champlain, all based in San Diego, according to Navy public affairs. It will be joined later by a supply ship from Bremerton, Wash., and a submarine from Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Rear Adm. Michael H. Miller is commanding the strike group.
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The Reagan will conduct naval operations in support of the global war on terrorism. Kraft said that his crew is ready to carry out any mission that it might be called upon to perform.
The Reagan is the Navy's newest Nimitz-class aircraft carrier. It arrived at its homeport in San Diego in 2004. The 1,096-foot ship carries more than 80 combat aircraft and can house up to 6,000 sailors, according to the Navy. The ship carries enough food and supplies to operate for about 120 days.
USAF Unveils "Spirit of Reagan" C-17 (USAF):
Former First-Lady Mrs. Nancy Reagan is taking part in an aircraft arrival ceremony and the unveiling of the “Spirit of Ronald Reagan,” the eighth C-17 Globemaster III aircraft that will become part of the inventory of the Air Force Reserve Command. The event will take place at March Air Reserve Base, Calif., Jan. 13, 2006.Outstanding!
This aircraft is named “Spirit of Ronald Reagan” in honor of and in tribute to Ronald Reagan, our nation’s 40th president. As part of the arrival ceremony, the aircraft will be piloted by Lt. Gen. John A. Bradley, Commander, Air Force Reserve Command.
The C-17 is the newest, most flexible cargo aircraft to enter the airlift force. The Globemaster III is capable of rapid strategic delivery of troops and all types of cargo to main operation bases or directly to forward bases in a deployment area. The aircraft is also capable of performing tactical airlift and airdrop missions when required. The C-17 further improves the ability of the total airlift system to fulfill the worldwide air mobility requirements of the United States from March ARB.
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Mark's Remarks
Congratulations to Mrs. Reagan for this honor for the Reagan family. Godspeed and good hunting to those deployed on the USS Ronald Reagan...
