As historic an aircraft carrier as the USS Ronald Reagan leaves its homeport after almost a decade, it’s never really about arriving somewhere else. It’s closing one book and opening another in the centuries-old U.S.-Japan naval partnership. Families, friends, and officials turned out at Yokosuka Naval Base to farewell the Reagan, the sole forward-deployed U.S. aircraft carrier to arrive in Japan in 2015.
Reagan’s visit to Japan was just great. During its life cycle, the ship and crew traveled more than 400,000 nautical miles, conducted more than a hundred exercises with allied ships, and visited dozens of ports throughout the region. Beyond combat, the carrier was an outward demonstration of America’s resolve to keep the Indo-Pacific open and safe.
The Reagan administration and its personnel also brought security and stability to the region. As the U.S. Ambassador to Japan explained, Reagan allowed millions of individuals to live in harmony without fear of intimidation.
Traffic on the carrier was more operations than defense—its personnel assisted in responding to natural disasters, delivered relief, and brought aid in the form of giant evacuations, setting the benchmark for how weapons assets can be a lifeline during an emergency.
Reagan’s meeting with USS George Washington was not a casual encounter. It was the culmination of years of close cooperation and trust between America and Japan. Approximately 350 sailors exchanged ships in an attempt to preserve continuity and protect against loss of experience and expertise required for operations and safe trade in the region.
One of the top admirals praised Reagan’s performance, citing how it showed power while simultaneously engaging in cooperation with allies throughout the Indo-Pacific.
Its homecoming is of practical and symbolic significance. Previously homeported in Yokosuka from 2008-2015, the ship was the backbone of the current robust U.S.-Japan maritime partnership. After a lengthy refueling cycle, overhaul, and training, the George Washington is poised to deter regional threats. Its commanding officer stated the ship’s crew, too, and Carrier Air Wing 5 are poised to regain their position as the Navy’s premier forward-deployed carrier.
The rotation of this guard is in the context of shifting Indo-Pacific dynamics. The US Navy is always grappling with maintenance and shipbuilding issues and thus increasingly depends upon Japanese shipyards for assistance. The Ambassador referred to the region as an “away game” for America, but having superior partners just down the street provides America with a home field, thanks to mutually shared peace and stability goals.
For every sailor who calls Yokosuka home, affection for Japan is real. The Reagan’s commanding officer, in all sincerity, thanked the government and people of Japan for their hospitality and proclaimed the nation a “second home” for the crew.
The Reagan legacy will not die—neither in the hearts of those who manned her, nor in the long-term health of the alliance as George Washington assumes her role.
With George Washington forward-deployed, the United States Navy sends a ringing message of unyielding commitment to the region. It is not business as usual in the rotation of ships; it is a demonstration of abiding friendship between two nations committed to peace, freedom, and security in the Indo-Pacific.
