USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) departs Guam > US Pacific Fleet > News

Ronald Reagan arrived in Guam on June 19, following his participation in Valiant Shield 2024, a multinational, joint field training focused on integration between U.S. and allied forces in a multi-domain environment. The aircraft carrier was joined in Guam by the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62).

“We express our gratitude to the people of Guam for their welcome and hospitality during our visit. Each time we return, we grow closer,” said Captain Daryle Cardone, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “I’m glad the crew had the opportunity to interact with the local community in addition to experiencing all the wonderful sights, history and culture that Guam has to offer.”

The ship’s Religious Ministries (CRMD) and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) teams provided sailors with a variety of opportunities to get to know the country, offering tours and opportunities to volunteer in local communities.

One of the volunteer activities organized by the ship’s CRMD involved sailors visiting the Manuel Ulloa Lujan Primary School. They were able to interact with students at the school and share their experiences in the Navy.

“I hope we can have some impact, and that they listen to what we have to say,” said Logistics Specialist 1st Class Josue Reyna, assigned to the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77, aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. “We talked about our different backgrounds and what each of us does on the ship. We all have different jobs, but every job is important.”

The Sailors’ stories helped students learn more about the island’s military, and it opened a window into the lives of each individual military member.

“(This volunteer opportunity) was very important and it helped show that we can be whoever we want to be and we give back to the community so everyone can see who we are as individuals,” said Yeoman 3rd grade Layla Scott, assigned to the USS Robert Smalls.

According to Mariquita Fegurgur, the summer school coordinator, the sailors’ visit was a rare opportunity for the students to interact with military personnel.

“It’s important that (the children) know that you have an impact on their entire lives,” Fegurgur says. “They need to understand that Guam is important to the world, especially to the US. You come here and you give part of what you do to our community.”

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, including USS Robert Smalls and the embarked Carrier Air Wing 5 and staff members of Destroyer Squadron 15, are forward deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of ​​operations. The U.S. 7th Fleet is the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, and routinely works with allies and partners to maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific region.