The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan returned to Puget Sound on Monday, September 7, 2026, completing its first round of post-maintenance sea trials after an 18-month overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Bremerton.
The shipyard, which operates as the principal repair facility on the Pacific coast, assigned hundreds of specialized tradespeople to execute complex hull inspections, valve replacements, and electrical grid modernizations.
That historic turnover in mid-2024 allowed the Reagan to transit across the Pacific Ocean to Bremerton, bringing roughly 3,000 sailors and their dependents into the Kitsap County community.
Ferry routes connecting Bremerton to downtown Seattle carry specialized technical personnel and regional suppliers daily, making shipyard continuity a priority for municipal planners.
This long-term stationing plan reflects the strategic geographic advantage of Puget Sound.
The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan completed post-maintenance sea trials following an 18-month overhaul at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton.