Ronald Reagan’s return to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) comes after a five-month deployment to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets, transiting nearly 43,000 nautical miles, participating in various joint operations and exercises.
“We’re proud to have contributed to Ronald Reagan’s safe and successful voyage to the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets,” said Capt. Edward Pidgeon, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka commanding officer. “Here on base or across the fleet, we will always deliver unwavering support to our mission partner.”
HAZMAT offloading began shortly after Ronald Reagan's return, led by NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka consolidated hazardous material reutilization and inventory management program (CHRIMP) technicians, moving a significant amount of materials from the ship into the Hazardous Waste Minimization Center for later release. As unloading methods and procedures have changed since Ronald Reagan was last in port, coordination was necessary prior to the ship’s return. A series of hazardous waste offloads were coordinated with Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Far East environmental by CHRIMP technicians, who communicated changes to procedures, personnel involved and what to expect with partners aboard Ronald Reagan. They also prepared necessary documentation and forms to ensure an efficient operation. Due to the efforts of the CHRIMP technicians, usable materials will be kept out of the waste stream and 13 pallets of used products including adhesives, paint thinner, expired enamel and chemical sealer were safely and properly disposed of.
The ashore and afloat contracting divisions of NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka each satisfied their own set of requirements in order to assist Ronald Reagan. Nearly 1,000 Sailors embarked aboard the ship from Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi, which is approximately 20 miles from Ronald Reagan’s homeport, were transported back to their installation by 30 buses, acquired by the ashore team, throughout the day of their return.
The afloat team was also able to further assist Ronald Reagan by supporting the renovation of the ship’s dining spaces, installing a serving line design with built-in sneeze guards and replacing old chair and table coverings. The ship also requested a coffee vending machine that could serve 200 to 500 Sailors each hour. To help the crew, the afloat contracting team vetted vendors and evaluated their bids.
Because Ronald Reagan's deployment included both the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleets, its time at sea was significantly longer than prior deployments, leading the ship to miss a previously scheduled “upkeep window,” a period of maintenance during which the ship's general and continuing repairs are performed. This required the ship repair division of NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka to modify repair contracts, which originally had an earlier start date, to be adjusted to commence this fall. Ronald Reagan will receive almost $4 million in non-skid work, structural and plumbing repairs as a result of the updated contracts, set to be completed in spring 2022.
NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka's postal team prepared for over 20,000 pounds of mail to be diverted and placed on standby at Ronald Reagan's homeport in order to maintain quality-of-life support for the ship’s crew. Professionals onboard Fleet Mail Center (FMC) Yokohama—the Department of Defense's second largest postal activity outside the United States—presorted mail for Ronald Reagan's embarked squadrons from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and NAF Atsugi, supporting the return of Carrier Air Wing 5.
“Having served aboard a deploying ship before, I understand how important mail is to the crew’s overall morale,” said Logistics Specialist 2nd Class Miguel Torress, FMC Yokohama consolidated mail clerk. “I always try to keep that in the back of my mind. Our job matters and we are making a positive difference down range."
NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka logistics support representatives (LSR) were responsible for arranging all of the command’s products and services. They organized Ronald Reagan's return to homeport brief, bringing together CFAY port operations and security, NAVFAC Far East and others to ensure that essential personnel and resources were prepared in advance. Furthermore, LSRs collaborated with "Reagan Ranch," the ship's new arrival support branch, to organize homecoming celebrations complete with tents, portable toilets and other amenities for family members to watch the ship's final approach to port. In a final effort to support the ship's return, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka authorized a temporary stage to be erected in its parking lot to provide entertainment for returning Sailors and their families.
“Our LSRs serve as the link between the fleet, our command and service providers,” said Angelo Vigil, NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka deputy operations director. “This was yet another flawless execution of their duties and we will repeat the same efforts for all ashore and afloat mission partners in the future.”
NAVSUP FLC Yokosuka is one of eight FLCs under Commander, NAVSUP. Headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, NAVSUP employs a diverse, worldwide workforce of more than 22,500 military and civilian personnel. NAVSUP and the Navy Supply Corps conduct and enable supply chain, acquisition, operational logistics and Sailor & family care activities with our mission partners to generate readiness and sustain naval forces worldwide to prevent and decisively win wars. Learn more at www.navsup.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/navsup and https://twitter.com/navsupsyscom.