When a ship as legendary as the USS Ronald Reagan leaves its almost decade-long homeport, it is anything but routine—it closes one door and opens another in America-Japan history’s book. Friends, families, and officials packed the Yokosuka naval base to bid farewell to the Reagan, the only U.S. forward-deployed aircraft carrier homeported in Japan since 2015.
Reagan’s trip to Japan was historic. The crew and the carrier spent over 400,000 nautical miles on the high seas, conducted a combined hundreds of exercises with allied countries, and ported to scores of ports within the region. The carrier certainly sent across the message that America meant business for its vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific.
It was the responsibility of the Reagan administration and its men, according to the U.S. Ambassador to Japan, to infuriate the millions of people in the area by denying them the chance to be capable of living peacefully and not be threatened or intimidated. Although it played its role in warfighting, the ship was a provider of lifesaving aid as and when required, doing disaster relief and evacuating individuals in the case of disaster.
It was not a simple task to swap Ronald Reagan for the USS George Washington—the move was a gesture of appreciation for years of close companionship and cooperation between the nations. Approximately 350 sailors also transferred with their vessels, taking priceless expertise and continuity on board to facilitate uninterrupted functioning.
Its top naval leaders were saluting Reagan’s incredible performance, narrating how the ship held its ground in its perseverance as it carried out its mission without a hitch in synchronization with area partners.
Everybody is anxiously waiting for the return of George Washington. Based at Yokosuka during 2008-2015, the carrier played a pivotal role in forging today’s robust U.S.-Japan maritime partnership.
After a complete overhaul, refueling, and rigorous training, George Washington is set to confront the demands of the area. Its commander made sure that Carrier Air Wing 5 and the crew were ready to become the forward-deployed carrier again for the Navy.
The pivot is a turning of fashion in the Indo-Pacific. The US warship can have its own ship-building and ship-repair issues as well, and therefore needs to avail the services of Japanese shipyards than ever before. The Ambassador employed the word to characterize the region “an away game” for America, but, with friends taken into consideration, it is homecoming, and where common objectives of stability and peace are.
For Yokosuka-based sailors, their connection with Japan is close. Ronald Reagan’s captain was grateful in her thanksgiving of the Japanese government and people for taking them in, stating the country is “a second home” to her crew.
The Reagan legacy continues—in the recollections of the crew members who have sailed on her and in the alliance’s continued vitality—when George Washington takes over her role. Since George Washington has been forward-deployed here, the United States Navy is doubling down on its unwavering commitment to the region.
Not a ship rotation—it’s a strong demonstration of the enduring friendship between two countries that believe in freedom, peace, and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
