On May 16, 2024, an embarrassing news came: the "Reagan aircraft carrier", which has served in the U.S. Navy's Seventh Fleet for nine years, is about to leave the port of Yokosuka, Japan, and return to the U.S. mainland. Although the US side explained that this was for the purpose of replacing nuclear fuel and undergoing a four-year overhaul, the outside world was generally pessimistic about the future fate of the "Reagan," and some people even speculated that the aircraft carrier, which had made too much "accident news," was likely to be completely abandoned and withdrawn from the US Navy's active service.
Heaven is jealous of talents, fate is ill-fated, how could the steel giant beast that should be galloping between the blue sea and blue sky fall into such a situation? Let's review the glory of the "Reagan aircraft carrier" in the past and the loneliness of today.
Why did the USS Reagan have frequent accidents in 2015?
Some analysts believe that the intensive accidents reflect that the Reagan itself may have some defects that are difficult to repair completely. After all, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier that claims to be able to sail continuously for 20 years and has a cruising range of 80-1 million nautical miles should not be so vulnerable. Some even questioned whether the Reagan was affected by nuclear radiation when it participated in the relief of the Great Japanese Earthquake in 2011. Although the U.S. military denied this, 7,000 U.S. soldiers who participated in the disaster relief that year did suffer from strange diseases and sued TEPCO en masse. All kinds of doubts are still difficult to let go.
Why did the Reagan's mechanical failures occur so often and repeatedly?
In the face of one failure after another, the US military also seems to be quite helpless. Some netizens ridiculed: "The dignified nuclear-powered aircraft carrier actually has to delay its voyage for a few minor problems with parts, which is really a loss of face for the superpower!" Some military experts also pointed out that with the growth of the Reagan's service time, it is inevitable that its machinery and equipment will deteriorate and fall into disrepair, but such a high frequency of failures may still be a flaw in the design and manufacturing process. Naturally, the US military is secretive about this.
Is there really a risk of nuclear leakage from the USS Reagan?
Although the US military has flatly denied the rumors of the nuclear leak, the continuous targeted exercises have inevitably aroused suspicion. Some experts pointed out that the reactor safety of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, as highly complex modern weapons, has always been a sensitive and unavoidable issue. In the event of a nuclear accident, its destructive power and scope of impact are immeasurable. What's more, the Reagan has been in service for more than 20 years, and there are indeed certain hidden dangers in the old equipment. Leaving Japan now on the pretext of "changing nuclear fuel" is preparing for the worst?
At the Yokosuka Naval Base, the officers and men of the United States and Japan lined up to solemnly salute the Reagan, which was about to depart, under the witness of the white clouds in the sky. The towering steel battleship is long and long, and the road ahead is boundless. The legendary beast that was once a powerful beast is now unable to hide its scarred fatigue. It is burdened with too many halos and controversies, and it may be destined to come to an end in mystery and doubt. The withering of a generation of aircraft carriers reflects the rise and fall of the weapons of powerful countries, which is embarrassing. The "mobile fortress on the sea" is still so fragile, and there are so many people, why can it be proud of the sky?
So in the end, the editor wants to ask: Is the USS Reagan really leaving the scene like this, and there is no return date? Will its once dazzling glory eventually become a footnote and talking point in history? In the cruel competition of the great power game, how many expensive weapons and how many famous legends will follow in the same footsteps? Perhaps, only peace can make these sharp weapons that should be used for protection no longer fall victim to self-consumption.
(The pictures and data come from the Internet, please check the theory yourself, this article does not represent the author's point of view, if there is any infringement, please contact to delete)