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MY VISIT TO THE US NAVY RESERVE FLEET IN BREMERTON, WA
By Jeff Head
September 2005
Note: Click on any of the pictures in this report for a larger image.
Over the 2005 Labor Day weekend we drove from Idaho to Bremerton, WA to visit my daughter and son-in-law and our two grandsons. A secondary reason was to take a look at the US Navy reserve fleet there in Bremerton and to see any current US Navy vessels in the yards.
The trip over was very beautiful and pleasant. There is a lot of very beautiful scenary between Idaho and Washington. Here are some pictures of some of that scenary.
 
 
Once we arrived in Bremerton, we greated and spent time with our daughter and her family, including the birthday celebration of our four year-old grandson.
 
 
We were able to spend a good deal of time down by the water, which is somethiong I always enjoy. Here are some good views across the Sound to Seattle...which is just about close enough for yours truly.
 
 
Now, for the principle reason and point of this post. There in Bremerton, to the west of the Naval Shipyards, is the anchorage for the component of the reserve fleet harbored there. The ships are older, but still very modern and capable by the rest of the world standards. Here are some pictures I got of those naval ships...awaiting faithful service if ever required.
 
A picture of the entire reserve fleet, and a close-up of the USS David R. Ray, DD-971
 
The guided missile frigates, USS George Phillips and Sides, FFG 12 and FFG 14, and the guided missile AEGIS cruiser USS Vincennes, CG 49
 
The aircraft carrier USS Ranger, CV-61.
 
The aircraft carrier USS Independence, CV-62.
 
The aircraft carrier USS Constellation, CV-64. Notice the F-14 on deck.
The US Naval reserve fleet there in Bremerton represents several frigates and destroyers, an AEGIS cruiser, three full deck aircraft carriers, and several amphibious and support ships. Those ships alone, if in service, would be more powerful by themselves than the naval capabilities of over 90% of the other nations in the world. The United States maintains a significant number of such anchorages for reserve fleets around the United States. Many of those ships are in mobilizaton category B status, meaning they are mothballed for reactivation in times of crisis. Others are awaiting disposal and categorization, either for sale to foreign allies, foru use in naval exercises, or awaiting scrapping. .
On this trip, as an added bonus, we were able to observe two US Navy front line vessels, the USS John Stennis and USS Ohio, in port undergoing maintenance and significant upgrades and refit at the Bremerton Naval shiptards. I got several pictures of them and here are a couple.
The nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS John Stennis, CVN 74.
The guided missile submarine, the USS Ohio, SSGN 726, docked.
Thanks for taking the time to share this family trip with us, and the pride we have in the United States military and the loyal men and woman who works so hard to defend our liberty and the fundamental moral values that define our way of life, and all of those who give so much of themselves to maintain and serve that cause.
Jeff Head
Idaho, USA
Author of the THE RISING SEA DRAGON IN ASIA
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