CORONADO, CA -- The crew of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) were joined by 2,742 friends and family members Nov. 11 as the ship departed Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island for a "Friends and Family Day Cruise".

Departing at 8 a.m. from NAS North Island, Ronald Reagan emerged from the clouded city skies into the warmth of a sunny day on the Pacific Ocean. Friends and family members of Ronald Reagan Sailors were invited to take part in the seven-hour cruise of food, fun and games.

"The purpose of the Friends and Family Day Cruise is just that, to get our friends and family on board and to show them what we do when we get underway," said Lt. Cmdr. Tim Anderson, Ronald Reagan's Friends and Family Day coordinator.

"Our families don't get the opportunity very often to see what we do when we take the ship out to sea. And it's a great opportunity for them to see us in our work place," added Anderson.

The ship's Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) division provided entertainment in the three hangar bays from video games to jousting, and musicians to magicians. Families also were permitted to walk on the ship's flight deck and visit the navigational bridge.

An air power demonstration by Carrier Air Wing 14 proved to be the highlight of the day for most participants. Static displays of ordnance and damage control equipment in the hangar bay also drew large crowds.

MWR Director Christy Eschenbacher reported that it took nearly three months to plan the entire event. With a supportive command, she was able to pull off the event with magnitude and success.

"Every company has a family picnic," said Eschenbacher. "This is an opportunity for families to meet the crew, see how they live, and say, 'this is alright.'"

Wanting to share this experience with two of his friends, Religious Program Specialist 1st Class David Winter of the ship's Religious Ministries Department invited Kelly McFarlane and Katrina Todd, whom both had never been out to sea on an aircraft carrier before.

"It's not only nice to see where he [Winters] works, but to meet the people as well," said Todd.

Todd and McFarlane spent a majority of the day alongside their sponsor learning about the ship.

"Everyone was so cordial here," said McFarlane. "I couldn't help but feel safe."

"I've learned so much being here," said Todd. "Learning how the ship functions and navigates, you begin to see how everyone is part of a whole."

For more news from USS Ronald Reagan, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/cvn76/.