Reagan Carrier Strike Group Arrives in Hong Kong

(2008 FILE PHOTO) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call.

Focus on Defense:

HONG KONG, June 19, 2008 -- The six ships and more than 7,000 Sailors of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrived in Hong Kong June 19 for a scheduled port visit.

The strike group is comprised of the flagship, the Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76); embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14; and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7; the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the guided-missile destroyers USS Decatur (DDG 73), USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43).

The port is the first stop for the strike group in its 2008 Western Pacific deployment.

"Our Sailors could not be more excited," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, USS Ronald Reagan commanding officer. "Hong Kong is one of the greatest cities in the world, and our young men and women will have ample opportunities to take it all in."

More than 300 strike group Sailors are scheduled to make a difference in the Hong Kong community, participating in community relations (COMREL) projects at local schools, elderly care centers and charity foundations.

"Hong Kong is a place I've always dreamed of visiting," said Storekeeper 1st Class (SW) Tina Pugh, volunteer for one of the COMRELs. "When I participate in COMRELs and do things for other people, I feel better about who I am and my place in the world."

Currently in the U.S. 7th Fleet's area of responsibility (AOR) as part of a regularly scheduled deployment to promote cooperation, security, and stability in the region, the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is commanded by Rear Adm. Phil Wisecup.

(Story by Lt. Ron Flanders, Carrier Strike Group 7 Public Affairs.)

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