A group of distinguished visitors observe an EA-6B Prowler assigned to the "Cougars" of Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron (VAQ) 139 make an arrested landing aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is conducting sustainment exercises in the Pacific Ocean. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Torrey W. Lee/Released)USS Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 will depart San Diego May 27 to begin a regularly scheduled Western Pacific deployment.
CSG 7 includes Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), and the ships of Commander, Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 7, which include destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and frigate USS Thach (FFG 43). A detachment from Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 11 will also be embarked aboard the carrier.
The Ronald Reagan CSG will play a key role supporting our nation's maritime strategy, which calls for credible combat power to be continuously postured to protect America's vital interests, assuring our friends and allies of our continued commitment to regional security and to deter and dissuade potential conflicts.
Ronald Reagan is the flagship of CSG 7 and the ninth of 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship is named for the 40th president and the ship's motto, "Peace through Strength," was a recurring theme during the Reagan presidency.
This deployment will be the fourth for the San Diego-based Ronald Reagan, which recently received its second Battle "E" award for being the most combat-efficient carrier in the Pacific Fleet. Ronald Reagan CVW 14 also received the "Ramage" award for most efficient carrier air-wing team in the entire Navy.
During its last deployment, the Ronald Reagan CSG performed a humanitarian assistance mission, supporting the armed forces of the Philippines, delivering more than 519,000 pounds of fresh water, rice and medical supplies to people affected by Typhoon Fengshen. Additionally, CVW-14, staging from Ronald Reagan in the Gulf of Oman, flew more than 1,150 combat sorties in support of coalition troops in Afghanistan, while the ships of COMDESRON 7 supported maritime security in the 5th Fleet area of operations.
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 "Hustlers" of Carrier Logistics Support (VRC) 30 Detachment 1 and the "Black Knights" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4.