YOKOSUKA, Japan - USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, entered its fourth week of a scheduled ship’s restricted availability (SRA) maintenance period, Jan. 29.

During the SRA period, teams of Sailors and workers from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS), U.S. Naval Ship Repair Facility and Japan Regional Maintenance Center (SRF-JRMC) are working together on a variety of maintenance projects, repairs and alterations designed to ensure Ronald Reagan is 100-percent ready to support operational commitments.

“We are kicked off and got to this point through a lot of hard work and diligent planning,” said Capt. Buzz Donnelly, Ronald Reagan’s commanding officer. “We are poised for a very successful SRA. We have a lot of important maintenance going on and we need to keep that on track.”

Donnelly said progress is carefully measured to ensure opportunities to complete all projects within the SRA timeline and with the highest standards.

“We had an early start and it’s a testament to all of team Reagan,” said Bob Corcell, director of the maintenance team from PSNS. “We have to be diligent. We have to think about what we’re doing because no matter what, we have to be safe. Safety is everybody’s issue. It’s everybody’s job.”

With planned projects totaling more than 99,000 man-hours of work for the ship’s crew, safety and the proper wear of protective equipment is a focal point of the ship’s SRA. Each week, the ship recognizes Sailors and contractors who have accomplished their designated tasks while following all proper procedures.

“The yearly SRAs are important to keep Reagan’s equipment fully mission capable to support our high operational tempo,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jesse Gaskell, the ship’s maintenance manager. “By completing a five-month SRA every year, we repair and maintain the vital equipment that keeps Reagan forward-deployed and on mission.”

During the 120 days of SRA, repairs and alterations will be conducted on two aircraft elevators, the pilothouse and a significant portion of the flight deck. PSNS also has important maintenance scheduled for the propulsion plant system.

“The main focus of the SRA is completing all of our planned maintenance and supporting planned work for SRF and PSNS by setting plant conditions, processing work controls and completing all required pre-tests,” said Gaskell. “While our focus during the SRA is on the maintenance, the crew must continue to train and maintain our operational proficiency.”

Ronald Reagan, the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5, provides a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.