USS REAGAN PASSING THE ARIZONA MEMORIAL

BEAUTIFUL!

When the Bridge pipes "Man the Rail" there is a lot of rail to man
on this monster: shoulder to shoulder, around 4.5 acres. Her displacement
is about 100,000 tons with full complement.

Capability

a.. Top speed exceeds 30 knots, powered by two nuclear reactors
     that can operate for more than 20 years without refueling
b.. Expected to operate in the fleet for about 50 years
c.. Carries over 80 combat aircraft
d.. Three arresting cables can stop a 28-ton aircraft going 150
     miles per hour in less than 400 feet

Size

a.. Towers 20 stories above the waterline
b.. 1092 feet long; nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall
c.. Flight deck covers 4.5 acres
d.. 4 bronze propellers, each 21 feet across, weighing 66,200 pounds
e.. 2 rudders, each 29 by 22 feet and weighing 50 tons
f.. 4 high speed aircraft elevators, each over 4,000 square feet

Dates

a.. Dec 8, 1994 Contract awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding
b.. Feb 12, 1998 Keel laid
c.. Oct 1, 2000 Pre-commissioning Unit established
d.. March 4, 2001 Christened by Mrs. Nancy Reagan
e.. May 5, 2003 First underway
f.. July 12, 2003 Commissioned
g.. July 23, 2004 Arrived at home port in San Diego, CA

Capacity

a.. Home to about 6,000 Navy personnel
b.. Carries enough food and supplies to operate for 90 days
c.. 18,150 meals served daily
d.. Distillation plants provide 400,000 gallons of fresh water
from sea water daily, enough for 2000 homes
e.. Nearly 30,000 light fixtures and 1,325 miles of cable and
wiring 1,400 telephones
f.. 14,000 pillowcases and 28,000 sheets
g.. Costs the Navy approximately $250,000 per day for pier side
operation
h.. Costs the Navy approximately $2.5 million per day for underway operations
(Sailor's salaries included).