commissioned Saturday, July 12, 2003, during an 11 a.m. Naval Station, Va.. Vice President Richard Cheney will deliver the ceremony s principal address. Reagan, wife of the ship s namesake, will serve as ship s sponsor. Capt. J. W. to honor America s 40th president Ronald Reagan who was born in Tampico, Ill., Feb. 6, 1911. personnel, Ronald Reagan will be homeported in San Diego as a member of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. News,Va., starting with the ship s keel laying Feb. 12, 1998, and christening Mar. nearly as long as the Empire State Building is tall. flight deck that covers 4.5 acres. range and endurance, and a top speed in excess of 30 knots. multi-role SH-60 and MH-60 helicopters. media, and live via streaming video to the web, through the Naval Media Center.