Wellington native and Wellington High School graduate Donald Tuckwood is currently serving aboard the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), which is continuing to conduct operations in the Indo-Pacific region.
Tuckwood is an airman, in charge of moving aircraft like they do at an airport. He moves about 15 aircraft per day for maintenance or flight operations.
“I feel like we are doing the right thing so that our potential adversaries don’t do the wrong thing, and I’m proud to be part of the best warship in the fleet,” Tuckwood said.
Since the ship’s Yokosuka departure in June, the Ronald Reagan continues to operate in the Indo-Pacific alongside allies and partners to demonstrate the United States of America’s commitment to defense agreements, as well as provide security and stability in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region.
In early July, the USS Nimitz (CVN 68) and the USS Ronald Reagan carrier strike groups started conducting dual carrier operations in the Philippine Sea and South China Sea. These carrier strike groups incorporate the capabilities of embarked fixed and rotary wing aircraft, Aegis guided-missile cruisers and destroyers, and attack submarines. This opportunity for two carrier strike groups to train and operate together in the region provides combatant commanders with significant operational flexibility and capabilities that only the U.S. Navy can bring.
Most recently, the Ronald Reagan completed a trilateral naval exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Australian Defense Force. Australia and Japan have both fostered long-standing alliances with the United States. This year also marks the 60th anniversary of the treaty of mutual cooperation and security between the United States and Japan. The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is the Navy’s only forward-deployed strike group.
