Reagan Carrier Strike Group Makes Port Visit to Singapore
Story Number: NNS060207-16
Release Date: 2/7/2006 5:09:00 PM
By Chief Journalist (SW) Donnie W. Ryan, USS Ronald Reagan Public
Affairs
SINGAPORE (NNS) -- The USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike
Group arrived in Singapore Feb. 7 for a scheduled port visit. USS
Lake Champlain (CG 57 ) and USNS Rainer (T-AOE 7 ) will be joining
them in port.
While in port, the carrier strike groups approximately 6,000 crew
members will have a chance to participate in friendship-building
and goodwill-generating activities.
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, commanded by Rear Adm.
Michael H. Miller, is on a routine deployment in support of the
Global War on Terrorism and maritime security operations.
Singapore is our second port visit since beginning our deployment
last month and one of our most important partners with many shared
interests, said Miller.
This visit gives us opportunity to show off the U.S. Navys newest
aircraft carrier as a formidable weapon in the global war against
terrorism. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Groups presence in the
Western Pacific demonstrates Americas commitment to fulfilling its
treaty obligations and security arrangements, said Miller.
Sailors from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group will
participate in three community service projects Feb. 8, including
cleaning a horse stable that provides riding lessons for the
disabled, gardening and maintenance at a residential care center
for AIDS patients, and interaction with children ages one to 12 at
a local childrens home.
Feb. 9, Sailors will accompany autistic and special needs children
from the Genesis School to a nearby pool for swimming lessons and
water games, as well as take part in building renovations at
another AIDS patient care center that provides counseling and
family support.
Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Reagans Commanding Officer, said he is
looking forward to Reagan Sailors being able to experience the
culture of the Lion City during the ships visit to
Singapore.
Singapore is a unique experience for American Sailors, said
Kraft. We have a tradition of being good ambassadors for the
United States whenever we make a port visit. Im excited about the
community projects our Sailors have asked to participate in, and
the outstanding welcome always provided by citizens of this fine
city.
Commissioned in 2003, Reagan is the Navys newest Nimitz-class
nuclear powered aircraft carrier and is currently underway on its
maiden deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and
maritime security operations.
Operating in the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean, the U.S. 7th
Fleet is the largest of the forward-deployed U.S. fleets, with
approximately 50 ships, 120 aircraft and 20,000 Sailors and Marines
assigned at any given time.
http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22220
