Construction began in late 1996 at the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. in Newport News VA. The keel was laid down on February 12, 1998.
Christening date: March 4, 2001 (Reagan’s 49th wedding anniversary)
Commissioning date: July 12, 2003
Ten Nimitz class carriers in service, eight named after Presidents: Washington, Lincoln, T. Roosevelt, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. The other two are named after John C. Stennis and Carl Vinson.
Former First Lady Nancy Reagan Christens the Aircraft Carrier USS Ronald Reagan as President George W. Bush and William Frick Look On. NAID: 75598111
