It
was a “clean sweep” for the Ronald
Reagan. Over four days in early May
the Reagan
ventured to sea for the first time for builder’s trials and
successfully endured an aggressive series of operational tests that
demonstrated the ship’s awesome capabilities and performance. Navy
crews and shipbuilders performed wide-ranging tasks. They steered the
ship in high-speed conditions, dropped the massive anchors, operated
radars, tested numerous ship systems and completed many other jobs too
long to list. Proud.
Pleased. Satisfied. Shipbuilders used words like these to describe their
feelings about the Reagan at sea, recalling how far the ship has come since the Navy
awarded the contract nine years ago. This
Nimitz-class carrier with its
many new technologies and innovations, including a bulbous bow for
improved hull efficiency, proved it would be an asset to the Navy and
the nation. The
builder’s sea trial accomplishments offered a sign of what would come
with acceptance trials over two days in late May — another success.
With June 20 marking the delivery of the ship, one last grand event
remains. The Navy will commission the ship as the USS
Ronald Reagan July 12. This
Website is a tribute to all the shipbuilders who contributed to
successful design, testing and construction of the newest, most advanced
aircraft carrier. The following Web pages highlight those employees who
participated in sea trials as well as those who remained on land and
played a vital role in the ship’s success. |
