USS RONALD REAGAN HOST COMMITTEE ANNOUNCE GALA EVENT

Navy League of The United States - Santa Barbara Chapter

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Operation Homefront

Renovated Gyms Help Motivate Ronald Reagan Sailors
to Stay in Shape During Surge Deployment

FOR RELEASE: 1/27/2007

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Torrey Lee,
USS Ronald Reagan Public Affairs

USS RONALD REAGAN, At Sea -- With the command next physical readiness assessment (PFA) scheduled for May, a certain group of Sailors aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) has been working hard to make sure all crew members have a clean, modern facility in which to exercise during the current surge deployment.

Prompted to have a major renovation job done in just two weeks, Ronald Reagan’s Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division quickly accomplished the task of refurbishing the ship’s gymnasiums with new exercise bikes, elliptical machines, treadmills, weight-lifting equipment.

“We’re still not done,” said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Nikkole Harrell, who is assigned to MWR. “There are still more flat-screen televisions on the way.”

The new gyms have become the ‘hot spot’ on the ship, especially the mezzanine gym, said Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuels) Airman Leigh-Ann Anthony, who also works with MWR.

According to Anthony, the mezzanine gym has been frequented so often after the renovations that there have been times where there is a 10-minute waiting period just to get inside.

“The new gyms have a lot more [improvements],” said Harrell. “We’ve freshly painted everything, we rearranged equipment, and there are three televisions.”

There also seems to be a lot more Sailors working out for their next PFA, said Harrell.

Sailors in the Navy are required to participate in the PFA every six months in order to stay in good shape and promote physical fitness. For Sailors aboard Ronald Reagan, the next PFA cycle has been scheduled to take place in May. However, Sailors have more than just passing the PFA on their mind when they visit the ship’s new gyms.

“Running is the new hot thing,” said Harrell. “It empowers you.”

Electrician’s Mate 1st Class (SW/AW) Mahesh Shah, a frequent patron of the ship’s gyms, said he usually visits the gym about five times a week. “It’s a way to keep healthy,” said Shah.

Shah said he can now take full advantage of the gym facilities at just about any hour, since the gyms are open at all times with the exception of “Spirit of 76,” the one hour of the day all hands are required to take part in cleaning the ship.

The new gyms have had a lot of improvements, said Shah.

MWR officials say they are always looking for new ideas, and are prepared to provide service members with new and exciting activities.

“Now all that is needed is help from the crew in order to maintain our new gym equipment,” said Harrell.

Ronald Reagan was commissioned in July 2003, making it the ninth and newest Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. The ship is named for the 40th U.S. president; its motto, “Peace through Strength,” was a recurrent theme during the Reagan presidency. The ship departed San Diego Jan. 27 on a surge deployment to support operations in the Western Pacific.

For related news, visit the USS Ronald Reagan Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn76/