USS Reagan commissioned

NORFOLK — It was one for the Gipper.

Thousands of cheering onlookers yesterday witnessed the commissioning of the Navy’s ninth Nimitz-class aircraft carrier — named in honor of Ronald W. Reagan, the 40th president of the United States.

The Navy’s newest nuclear-powered carrier, adorned with red, white and blue bunting and a huge U.S. flag, became activated for duty during an invitation-only ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval base in the world.

“The Navy we have today is in many ways a monument to the vision and the convictions of Ronald Reagan,” said Vice President Dick Cheney, who delivered the principal address at the ceremony. “He came to the presidency with a clear understanding of the tools our Navy would need to protect the American people, to honor our commitments to allies and to maintain command of the seas.”

Former first lady Nancy Reagan, the ship’s sponsor, received a standing ovation as she stepped to the podium. “I only have one line, so man the ship and bring her to life,” she said.

A horde of sailors then boarded the carrier as a band played “Anchors Aweigh.” Two F-14 Tomcat and two F-18 Hornet jets flew in formation and the ship’s whistle sounded, both traditions of carrier commissionings.

Mr. Reagan, 92, did not attend the ceremony. The former president rarely leaves his California residence since divulging in 1994 that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

“Please know that our thoughts and prayers continue to be with [the Reagans], especially on this day,” Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, told those at the ceremony.

While other carriers bear the names of former presidents — Washington, Truman and Kennedy, for example — the Reagan is the first U.S. aircraft carrier to be named for a living president.

“Today we send forth a great American ship bearing a great American name,” Mr. Cheney said. “More than two decades ago on his first voyage on an aircraft carrier, the USS Constellation, President Reagan called that ship ‘a powerful force in an uncertain world.’ A generation later, we can say that of the ship that we’ve now named for him.”

With a crew of about 6,000 sailors, including air-wing personnel, the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) will be homeported in San Diego as a member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

The vessel towers 20 stories above the waterline, displaces about 95,000 tons of water, and at 1,092 feet in length, is nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall.

Ship construction took place at the Northrop Grumman shipyard in Newport News, starting with the keel being laid on Feb. 12, 1998.

Thomas Schievelbein, president of Northrop Grumman Newport News, said it was an honor to build a ship named for Mr. Reagan, whom Mr. Schievelbein called “one of America’s greatest advocates of strong sea power.”

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