From Golden State to Evergreen Shores

The mighty USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) glides past Bainbridge Island’s Lytle Beach, cutting through the water like a steel leviathan on its approach to Naval Base Kitsap in Bremerton. This Nimitz-class supercarrier, having bid farewell to sun-soaked San Diego in August 2024, now cuts an impressive figure against the emerald backdrop of the Pacific Northwest shoreline. A floating city in its own right, the vessel supports up to 5,000 crew members and can carry an impressive complement of 90 fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. With its remarkable propulsion system, the USS Ronald Reagan can slice through the waves at speeds up to 30 knots (35 mph).