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April 24, 2003
   
The new carrier Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) is still under construction. It was originally to be commissioned in May, 2003. But there have been delays in the fitting out the new ship, so it won't be available until the Summer of 2004. In order to keep navy carrier strength up, the 41 year old Constellation (CV 64), due to retire this Summer, may be kept in service until next Summer. Because of the poor economy and war excitement, recruiting and retention have been good and enabled the navy to maintain personnel strength. So there will be enough sailors available to crew the Constellation for another year, or two.