Does the year CE 79 mean 79 AD?

Yes, the year CE 79 is equivalent to 79 AD. "CE" stands for "Common Era," which is a secular term used to denote years in the same way as "AD" (Anno Domini) does, indicating years after the traditional date of the birth of Jesus Christ. Thus, CE 79 and 79 AD refer to the same year in the Gregorian calendar.