The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), arrives in Brisbane, Australia, for a scheduled port visit. Reagan While in port, Reagan crew will have a chance to participate in friendship-building and goodwill-generating activities. Reagan is currently on its maiden deployment in support of global war on terrorism and maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class James Thierry
From USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs
Sailors assigned to the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 7 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7 left a lasting impression on the local citizens as the ship departed Brisbane, Australia, Jan. 27 following a five-day port visit.
More than 6,000 Sailors assigned to the Reagan Strike Group visited the city of Brisbane to take part in friendship-building and good-will generating activities. The visit was the first time a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier ever berthed pierside in the city.
American Sailors also took part in a total of seven community service projects for the residents of Australia. These events included volunteering at the local children’s and women’s hospitals, working to help restore an Australian World War II frigate at the Queensland Maritime Museum, cleaning the koala exhibition at the local zoo and helping clean up a training facility for emergency medical technicians.
According to Cmdr. Brent Scott, Reagan's chaplain, a total of 250 Sailors from the ship took part in the community relations projects around the city, as well as aboard the ship.
American Sailors were also fortunate to be in Brisbane during “Australia Day,” a national holiday similar to the Fourth of July, celebrated Jan. 26.
In addition to the community service events and national holiday, Sailors visited the local tourist attractions and spent time in the downtown shopping district of Brisbane. Australian hospitality was on display throughout the city as banners and signs welcomed the American Sailors.
Another popular attraction for the American Sailors was the local zoo that featured koala bears, kangaroos, snakes and other animals native to the continent. Zoo employees even brought several of their animals to the ship for Sailors who were on duty and couldn’t get time off to visit in person.
Reagan is currently on her maiden Western Pacific deployment in support of the global war on terrorism and maritime security operations.