USS Ronald Reagan home port announced

Amid intense jockeying by two military communities, the US Navy said its newest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, will be based in San Diego when it is completed.

Bremerton, Washington, which lost its bid for the Reagan, will still get a carrier. The USS John C. Stennis will be shifted in 2004 from San Diego to Bremerton, a spokesman said yesterday.

The £2.75bn vessel, which is under construction in Newport News, Virginia, will be able to carry 80 aircraft and a crew of 6,000.