The Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), hosted the Iwakuni Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) Feb. 21.
ICCI chairman, Mr. Masato Yasumoto, and 16 committee members travelled almost 500 miles north to visit Ronald Reagan and help strengthen the relationship between the City of Iwakuni and Carrier Air Wing 5 operating out of Iwakuni.
“It’s vital to our partnership with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and our allies in the region to have a strong relationship with the cities of Yokosuka, Iwakuni and the entire country of Japan,” said Capt. Pat Hannifin, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer.
While aboard Reagan, the ICCI members toured the flight deck, hangar bay, ship’s museum and had the opportunity to purchase memorabilia.
“To come to this ship is an honor,” Mr. Yasumoto said. “I am excited to see the Navy’s flagship in person and how the Sailors work aboard it.”
Ronald Reagan is forward-deployed to Yokosuka, Japan, a port city about 40 miles south of Tokyo.
“Having the aircraft in Iwakuni, we wanted to visit the other part of the Navy force that serves in the Pacific,” Mr. Yasumoto said, adding that Iwakuni scheduled a friendship festival next month to foster a healthy relationship between the Japanese citizens and U.S. Armed Forces.
Carrier Air Wing 5, along with USS Ronald Reagan, are both part of Carrier Strike Group 5, based in Yokosuka.
Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.