A native of Toledo and a graduate of Bowsher High School, Dakota Thomas serves aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan left Yokosuka, Japan on May 19 for his 2021 deployment. Ronald Reagan, the flagship of the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG), the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, the guided missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG 67) and the guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG 97) have entered the US 5th Fleet Operations Area (AOO), June 25th.
The arrival of the CSG marks the first time the Ronald Reagan has entered the AOO of the US 5th Fleet since 2012.
During their stay in the U.S. 5th Fleet, the Ronald Reagan CSG will operate, train and provide air force with regional and coalition partners to protect U.S. and coalition forces as they conduct withdrawal operations from Afghanistan.
Thomas, a second class petty officer, serves as the Aviation Maintenance Administration man for the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115. His primary role is to keep track of the maintenance records of his squadron’s F / A-18E Super Hornet fighter jets .
“If the paperwork is not properly followed up, the plane could miss a flight,” said Thomas. “That could prevent us from fulfilling our mission and helping the people we have joined to help.”
“Ronald Reagan’s flexible presence is a key element in reassuring our regional allies and partners that the United States continues to work for freedom of the seas,” said Captain Fred Goldhammer, commanding officer of Ronald Reagan. “Around the world, the crew aboard Ronald Reagan are striving to maintain ‘Peace Through Strength’ and are ready to answer the call.”
Ronald Reagan is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 5 and becomes the 5th strategic bottleneck in the area of operations.
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