http://news.usni.org/2015/08/31/carrier-uss-ronald-reagan-leaves-for-japan-starting-second-phase-of-3-carrier-crew-swap
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Later today of Nimitz-class carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) will depart San Diego, Calif. for its new home in Yokosuka, Japan.
Reagan's California departure and its arrival in Japan as U.S. 7th Fleet's forward deployed carrier is the second move in a three-way carrier swap that will move USS George Washington (CVN-73) to Newport News, Va. for a mid-life overhaul and change the homeport of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) — currently in U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) — from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. to San Diego.
Reagan and Washington conducted a 10-day crew swap when Washington arrived in San Diego earlier in August after being in Japan since 2008 as the U.S. forward deployed carrier.
Reagan has operated extensively in the Pacific, including responding to the aftermath of the 2011 tsunami in Japan.
"We are sending our most modern West Coast-based aircraft carrier to support the security, stability and prosperity of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region and our allies," said Vice Adm. Mike Shoemaker, Commander, Naval Air Forces, said in a Monday statement.
"The strong ties that were established between ship and host nation over four years ago will continue."
Most of Regan's crew, however, will stay in California and most of the former crew of Washington will take the carrier back to Japan.
So I take it that they did a good decontamination job?
Notice the original crew is not going back...
8)
Yessir, a very interesting fact. They did a crew change on 3 carriers and I have never heard of this before. Of course I wasn't in the Navy either....