Afghanistan, Reagan aircraft carrier off Pakistan to support operations

The USS Ronald Reagan, a Nimitz-class super-carrier belonging to the US Navy, is currently deployed in the northern part of the Arabian Sea, off the coast of Pakistan, with the mission – reports the Times – to support operations in Afghanistan. Entered service in July 2003 and named after the former US president when he was still alive, it is deployed at the naval base of Yokosuka, Japan, but has reached the Arabian Sea for the delicate evacuation mission from Kabul. Its motto is ‘Peace through strength’. As tall as a 20-story building, the aircraft carrier can accommodate up to about 6,000 people and carries enough supplies to stay at sea for three months. Over 300 meters long, with a bridge almost 80 meters long and costing about $ 4.5 billion, the aircraft carrier is capable of accommodating up to 90 fixed or rotary wing aircraft. Usually the flight group consists of 9 flocks (seven of aircraft and two of helicopters) including F / A-18 C Hornet multirole attack aircraft, Growler EA-18G for electronic warfare, E-2 Hawkeye, a squadron consisting of Sea Hawk MH-60S combat helicopters and one for logistic support. The Donald Reagan also embarks on defensive weapon systems consisting of four Sea Sparrow missile launchers, two Rolling Airframe Missile and 20 mm Phalanx Ciws super-rapid anti-aircraft guns.