YOKOSUKA, Japan –
– The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN76), commanding officer hosted the U.K. Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Defense and five other officials from the United Kingdom, Dec 6.
Capt. Buzz Donnelly, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer, welcomed aboard Stephen Lovegrove, Permanent Secretary of the U.K. Ministry of Defense.
“We are honored to have the Permanent Secretary and delegates from the United Kingdom here today,” said Donnelly. “This meeting shows the strong bond between the United Kingdom, Japan and the United States.”
Lisa Chesney, Deputy Head of Security Policy, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, as well as other delegates; Royal Navy Capt. Paul Casson, British Defense Attaché; Gareth Martin, Lovegrove’s private secretary; Yuki Chamberlain, British Embassy Chief Of Staff; and Royal Navy Cmdr. Don Crosbie, Royal Navy liaison officer to Commander 7th Fleet and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, were also among those who visited the ship.
“I am in Japan to meet with our friends and allies, the Japanese and the U.S,” said Lovegrove. “The region is facing some difficult challenges that are important to the U.K. and it is also important we all, as friends, work together to ensure the global stability we want.”
During the visit, delegates toured the ship’s hanger bay, navigation bridge, flight deck, museum and interacted with Ronald Reagan crew.
“The USS Ronald Reagan is an incredible capability, operated by our closest ally, and it was great to get a first-hand look at what it can do, and meet the fine crew,” said Lovegrove. “The U.S. has helped the U.K. with our return to aircraft carrier operations and I looked forward to the new Queen Elizabeth class operating alongside the USS Ronald Reagan.”
The Permanent Secretary of the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense’s visit to USS Ronald Reagan reflects the strong relationship between the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan and their allies in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.