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USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
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USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) transits the Pacific Ocean on 25 January 2020
History
United States
NameTheodore Roosevelt
NamesakeTheodore Roosevelt
Ordered30 September 1980
BuilderNewport News Shipbuilding
Cost$4.5 billion (2007 dollars)
Laid down31 October 1981
Launched27 October 1984
Christened27 October 1984
Acquired17 October 1986
Commissioned25 October 1986
HomeportSan Diego
Identification
Motto
  • Qui Plantavit Curabit
  • (He who has planted will preserve)
Nickname(s)
Statusin active service
Badge
General characteristics
Class & typeNimitz-class aircraft carrier
Displacement104,600 long tons (106,300 t)[1]
Length
  • Overall: 1,092 feet (332.8 m)
  • Waterline: 1,040 feet (317.0 m)
Beam
  • Overall: 252 feet (76.8 m)
  • Waterline: 134 feet (40.8 m)
Draft
  • Maximum navigational: 37 feet (11.3 m)
  • Limit: 41 feet (12.5 m)
Propulsion
Speed30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph)+[2]
RangeUnlimited distance; 20–25 years
EnduranceLimited only by food and supplies
Complement
  • Ship's company: 3,200
  • Air wing: 2,480
Sensors &
processing systems
Electronic warfare
& decoys
Armament
Armor63.5 mm Kevlar armor over vitals [3]
Aircraft carried90 fixed wing and helicopters

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is the fourth Nimitz-class, nuclear-powered, aircraft carrier in the United States Navy. She is named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States and a proponent of naval power. She is the fourth ship named in honor of Theodore Roosevelt, three bearing his full name and a fourth with just his last name. Another three U.S. Navy ships have "Roosevelt" in their names in honor of members of the Roosevelt family. This carrier's radio call sign is "Rough Rider", the nickname of President Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish–American War. She was launched in 1984, and saw her first action during the Gulf War in 1991. As of August 2024, she is deployed with Carrier Air Wing 11 and Carrier Strike Group 9, which includes the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Lake Erie, and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS John S. McCain, USS Halsey, and USS Daniel Inouye.

Background

[edit]

Initially, President Gerald Ford cancelled the order for CVN-71 in 1976 and substituted two CVV-type medium-sized, conventional-powered carriers that were expected to operate V/STOL aircraft. The existing T-CBL design formed the basis for the new CVV, serving as a replacement for the aging Midway-class carriers, while capable of operating all existing conventional carrier aircraft. This capability to operate conventional aircraft proved important as the hoped-for supersonic V/STOL fighters did not come to fruition at the time. In any case, construction of the proposed CVV medium-sized carrier never took place.[4][5]

Authorization for CVN-71 was further delayed when President Jimmy Carter vetoed the 1979 Fiscal Year Department of Defense authorization bill because of the inclusion of this Nimitz-class nuclear supercarrier in the Navy ship-building program.[5][6] As a result of the Iran hostage crisis, which required the increased deployment of U.S. carrier battle groups to the Indian Ocean, President Carter reversed his stand on Nimitz-class nuclear supercarriers, and CVN-71 was subsequently authorized under the 1980 Fiscal Year authorization bill for the U.S. Department of Defense.[6]

Design and construction

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Theodore Roosevelt was the first aircraft carrier to be assembled using modular construction, wherein large modules are independently constructed in "lay-down" areas, prior to being hoisted into place and welded together. Modular construction, made possible through the use of a huge gantry crane capable of lifting 900 tons, cut 16 months off Theodore Roosevelt's construction time, and the technique has been used on every aircraft carrier since. Theodore Roosevelt and those Nimitz-class vessels completed after her have slight structural differences from the earlier carriers (USS Nimitz, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and USS Carl Vinson) and improved protection for ordnance storage in her magazines.[7]

Theodore Roosevelt's history began on 30 September 1980, when a contract was awarded for "Hull 624D" to Newport News Shipbuilding. Her keel was laid down on 31 October 1981, with Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger initiating the first weld. On 3 November 1981, Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman announced that the carrier would be named for Theodore Roosevelt. The vessel's Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) was formed in February 1984, with Captain Paul W. Parcells named as commanding officer. On 27 October 1984, the ship was officially christened by Mrs. Barbara Lehman, wife of Secretary Lehman. On 25 October 1986, Theodore Roosevelt was commissioned to active service at Newport News.[8]

Service history

[edit]

Maiden deployment

[edit]
Shock test of Theodore Roosevelt during sea trials in 1987

After sea trials and pre-deployment workups, Theodore Roosevelt started her maiden deployment on 30 December 1988 with Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) embarked. The ship patrolled the Mediterranean Sea prior to returning on 30 June 1989. She was awarded the 1989 Battle "E" from Commander, Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet on 20 March 1990.[citation needed]

1990s

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On 28 December 1990, Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 deployed for Operation Desert Shield, arriving in the Persian Gulf on 16 January 1991. With the commencement of Operation Desert Storm on 15 January 1991, Theodore Roosevelt began combat operations; eventually flying over 4,200 sorties, more than any other carrier, and dropping more than 4,800,000 pounds (2,177,243.4 kg) of ordnance before the cease-fire on 28 February.[citation needed]

Four U.S. Navy carriers form "Battle Force Zulu" following the 1991 Gulf War; Theodore Roosevelt (top right) cruises with Midway (top left), Ranger (bottom left) and America (bottom right)

When Iraqi forces turned on the Kurds, Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 were among the first coalition forces in Operation Provide Comfort, flying patrols over northern Iraq. After a 189-day deployment, with 176 days at sea, Theodore Roosevelt returned to Norfolk on 28 June 1991. On 14 February 1992, the ship won her second Battle "E". This was followed by the award of the Battenberg Cup for 1991 as the Atlantic Fleet's premier ship.[9]

Theodore Roosevelt began her third deployment on 11 March 1993, again with CVW-8 embarked. Also embarked was a Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF), in a test of the concept of embarking a multi-purpose Marine force in a carrier. While the ship was still in the Virginia Capes operating area, President Bill Clinton flew aboard for several hours for his first visit to a U.S. Navy ship.[9] Theodore Roosevelt operated in the Adriatic as CVW-8 planes enforced Operation Deny Flight in the U.S. no-fly zone over Bosnia. In June, on the way to only her second port visit, Theodore Roosevelt was ordered instead to transit the Suez Canal en route to the Red Sea to participate in Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the no-fly zone over Iraq. Deployed for 184 days, Theodore Roosevelt spent 169 days under way prior to return in September 1993. For the accomplishments of her crew, the ship received her second Meritorious Unit Commendation.[citation needed]

From November 1993 to April 1994, Theodore Roosevelt conducted a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), completing ahead of schedule. On 10 March 1994, Theodore Roosevelt received her third Battle "E". Then on 3 June, Theodore Roosevelt was awarded her second Battenberg Cup as the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet.[citation needed]

Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 began their fourth deployment in March 1995, operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Southern Watch over Iraq, and Operations Deny Flight and Sharp Guard over the skies of Bosnia and in the Adriatic operating areas. Deny Flight evolved into Operation Deliberate Force, as CVW-8 aircraft led NATO strikes against strategic Bosnian Serb targets in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group returned to Norfolk, Virginia in September 1995 and was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for its Bosnia operations.[9]

On 14 October 1996, Theodore Roosevelt collided with USS Leyte Gulf, a Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser, while conducting operations off the coast of North Carolina. The incident occurred as the carrier, without prior warning, reversed her engines while Leyte Gulf was behind her and collided with the cruiser's bow. There were no injuries reported,[10] but Theodore Roosevelt suffered more than $7 million damage to her stern, while damages to Leyte Gulf's bow were assessed at $2 million.[11]

Theodore Roosevelt deployed for her fifth deployment on 25 November 1996, with CVW-3 embarked, in support of Operation Southern Watch in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. The ship returned from deployment in May 1997. On 8 July 1997, Theodore Roosevelt entered the Newport News Shipbuilding yard for a one-year Extended Drydock and Selected Restricted Availability (EDSRA), her first major overhaul since commissioning. Theodore Roosevelt returned to her homeport of Norfolk Naval Station on 2 July 1998.[citation needed]

Theodore Roosevelt underway in 1999

From 1 February to 4 March 1999 Theodore Roosevelt participated in exercise JTFEX / TMDI99 along with the Brazilian Navy and several NATO navies. During the exercise, Theodore Roosevelt was mock-sunk,[12] along with eight other U.S. ships, many of which were the carrier's escorts, by the submarine HNLMS Walrus of the Royal Netherlands Navy.[citation needed]

Theodore Roosevelt began her sixth deployment on 26 March 1999 with CVW-8 embarked. They were immediately called to duty in the Ionian Sea to support NATO's Operation Allied Force. Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 aircraft conducted airstrikes for two months over the skies of Kosovo against Serbian positions. Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 were then dispatched to support Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the "no-fly zone" over Southern Iraq. Theodore Roosevelt returned to her home port of Norfolk, Virginia, on 24 September 1999.[citation needed]

2000s

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On 10 January 2000, Theodore Roosevelt entered a Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia for a six-month maintenance period.[citation needed]

After the September 11 attacks, Theodore Roosevelt began her seventh deployment on 19 September 2001 with Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1). On 15 October 2001, Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-1 entered the North Arabian Sea, joining the already-present Enterprise and Carl Vinson in conducting attacks against al-Qaeda in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.[13] Between departing Norfolk on 19 September 2001 and arriving in Bahrain for a liberty call on 27 February 2002, Theodore Roosevelt spent 160 consecutive days at sea, breaking the record for the longest period underway since World War II.[14] Theodore Roosevelt returned to her homeport 27 March 2002 and was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, 2001 Battenberg Cup, and 2001 Battle "E".[15] From April to October 2002, Theodore Roosevelt conducted a Planned Incremental Availability maintenance period at Norfolk Naval Ship Yard.[citation needed]

Theodore Roosevelt receives cargo while pierside at the NATO Marathi Pier Facility in Crete

Theodore Roosevelt got underway on 6 January for a scheduled month-long training period in the Puerto Rican Operating Area. Near the end of January, Theodore Roosevelt received orders to proceed across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. Strike Fighter Squadron 201, based at Naval Air Station Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas, was ordered to active duty as a unit of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, the first Naval Reserve squadron to deploy aboard an aircraft carrier since the Korean War.[16] Theodore Roosevelt arrived on station in the Eastern Mediterranean in February. On 22 March 2003 Theodore Roosevelt, along with USS Harry S. Truman, began launching air strikes into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.[17] Theodore Roosevelt returned home on 26 May and was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Unit Citation, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

On 19 February 2004, Theodore Roosevelt entered a ten-month Docked Planned Incremental Availability (DPIA) at NNSY in Portsmouth.[18] Major systems overhauled included AC systems, Steam and CHT (sewage) systems, 1MC (announcing) systems, communication, navigation, and detection suites, weapons elevator overhauls, propeller replacement, hull cleaning and painting, and sea valve replacement. Theodore Roosevelt came out of dry-dock in August and completed the maintenance availability on 17 December 2004.[19]

An F/A-18 Hornet from the "Sidewinders" of VFA-86 ignites its afterburners while preparing to be catapulted from the flight deck.

On 1 September 2005, Theodore Roosevelt deployed with CVW-8 embarked for a routine six-month mission to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF),[20] transiting the Suez Canal on 27 September[21] and launching OIF missions beginning 6 October.[22] This deployment was the last cruise for the F-14 Tomcat before its retirement in 2006. Theodore Roosevelt carried two Tomcat squadrons, VF-31 (Tomcatters) and VF-213 (Black Lions).[23] Theodore Roosevelt returned to home port on 11 March 2006. Shortly after this cruise, Theodore Roosevelt earned the "Jig Dog" Ramage Carrier and Carrier Air Wing Operational Excellence Award, which is a Navy-wide award that is selected jointly by Type Commanders (TYCOM) and is presented to the Carrier/Air Wing team with the best performance as an integrated unit.[citation needed]

On 7 March 2007, Theodore Roosevelt began a nine-month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) in Norfolk, which saw the addition of RAM-116 missiles among other upgrades.[24] The ship returned to Naval Station Norfolk on 28 November 2007.[citation needed]

CVW-8 and Theodore Roosevelt participated in Joint Task Force Exercise 08-4 Operation Brimstone off the coast of North Carolina between 21 and 31 July 2008. The British aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, the amphibious assault ship Iwo Jima with associated units and the Brazilian frigate Greenhalgh and the French submarine Améthyste also participated in the event.[25]

Theodore Roosevelt left Norfolk on 8 September 2008 for a scheduled deployment to the Middle East with Carrier Air Wing Eight embarked.[26] On 4 October 2008, the ship stopped at Cape Town, South Africa. This was the first visit to Cape Town by a nuclear-powered vessel since the German cargo ship Otto Hahn in the 1970s.[27] Due to poor weather, approximately half of the ship's crew was unable to go ashore on liberty. Much of the crew that made it ashore were unable to return to Theodore Roosevelt due to the increasingly poor weather. The remaining crew was forced to remain on the pier till morning alongside the cruiser USS Monterey. The ship made four subsequent port stops in Jebel Ali, UAE, including one during the Christmas holiday. CVW-8 and CVN-71 supported Operation Enduring Freedom and flew more than 3,100 sorties and dropped more than 59,500 pounds of ordnance while providing close air support for ISAF-forces in Afghanistan.[citation needed]

On 21 March 2009, Theodore Roosevelt was relieved by Dwight D. Eisenhower.[28] The carrier arrived at Norfolk on 18 April.[29] On 26 August 2009 defense contractor Northrop Grumman was awarded a 2.4 billion dollar contract for Refueling and Complex Overhaul (RCOH) of Theodore Roosevelt at its Newport News shipyard.[30]

2010s

[edit]
USS Theodore Roosevelt in October 2019

On 29 August 2013, Theodore Roosevelt returned to Norfolk Naval Station, Virginia, completing its post-overhaul sea trials that concluded its four-year mid-life RCOH.[31] On 14 September 2013, Theodore Roosevelt successfully completed flight deck certification which entailed completing a total of 160 carrier landings during daytime and night-time operations. Other certification drills included rigging the emergency barricade, flight deck firefighting evolutions, and crash and salvage operations.[32] On 17 September 2013, Theodore Roosevelt completed her first underway replenishment in over four years.[33]

Flight testing for the X-47B continued on board Theodore Roosevelt on 10 November 2013. During this phase, the X-47B's digitized carrier-controlled environment was tested which involved the interface between the unmanned aircraft and carrier personnel during launching, flight operations and recovery. The digital environment offered increased flexibility and enhanced safety for carrier operations.[34]

On 15 January 2014, the Navy announced that Theodore Roosevelt's homeport would move to San Diego, replacing USS Ronald Reagan when she relocated to Japan sometime in 2015 as part of the US Navy's preparation for the planned refueling of USS George Washington.[35]

On 4 March 2015, during a training exercise off Florida, Theodore Roosevelt was mock-sunk by the French Navy submarine Saphir.[36]

On 11 March 2015,Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Strike Group 12 departed Naval Station Norfolk for an around the world tour with deployments to the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleets as part the first deployment of Naval Integrated Fire Control-Counter Air (NIFC-CA) Carrier Strike Group, before arriving in their new homeport of San Diego, California.[37][38]

On 20 April 2015, Theodore Roosevelt, along with the cruiser USS Normandy, was deployed off the coast of Yemen to intercept suspected Iranian weapons shipments intended for Houthi rebels, who are engaged in a civil war with Yemeni government forces.[39]

In early November 2015, Theodore Roosevelt along with the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen, sailed to the South China Sea to assert freedom of navigation in the area claimed by China.[40]

Theodore Roosevelt pulled into her new home port at San Diego on 23 November 2015, completing a deployment during which she circumnavigated the globe. The carrier launched 1,800 sorties against Islamic State militants in Iraq and Syria as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, totaling 10,618 flight hours and over one million pounds of ordnance employed through 1,085 guided munitions. Carrier Strike Group 12 traveled nearly 27,000 nmi (31,000 mi; 50,000 km) during the deployment, which also marked aviation milestones including the first operational use of the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and the last active-duty operational deployment of the HH-60H Rescue Hawk and SH-60F Seahawk helicopters.[41]

On 6 October 2017, Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego for her deployment to the United States Seventh Fleet and United States Fifth Fleet area of operations, accompanied with Carrier Strike Group 9 and Carrier Air Wing Seventeen.[42] On November 8, 2017, Theodore Roosevelt and her group started a 4-day exercise with two other carrier strike groups, led by carriers Ronald Reagan and Nimitz, in the Sea of Japan.[43]

In May 2019, Theodore Roosevelt participated in Exercise Northern Edge 2019, marking the first time in a decade a carrier took part in the exercise. Also in 2019, Carrier Air Wing Eleven was transferred to the ship.[44]

2020s

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On 5 March 2020, Theodore Roosevelt, along with the cruiser USS Bunker Hill, arrived at Da Nang, Vietnam, for a five-day port visit commemorating the 25th anniversary of United States–Vietnam relations.[45]

COVID-19 pandemic

[edit]
Main article: COVID-19 pandemic on USS Theodore Roosevelt
See also: COVID-19 pandemic on naval ships

On 24 March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, three sailors aboard the deployed vessel tested positive for COVID-19, a coronavirus disease identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness.[46] Within a few days, that number climbed to dozens. Theodore Roosevelt was reported to be the first ship in the U.S. Navy to have a COVID-19 outbreak while at sea; Theodore Roosevelt docked at Guam on 27 March 2020.[47][48]

By 31 March, the number of infected sailors was over 100, and the captain, Brett Crozier, pleaded for help from the Navy, sending an e-mail to ten Pacific Fleet admirals and captains, including his superior, the commander of Carrier Strike Group-9, and the commander of the Pacific Fleet, requesting that his ship be evacuated.[52] The US Navy ordered the aircraft carrier evacuated with a skeleton crew of 400 to remain aboard the vessel to maintain the nuclear reactor, the fire-fighting equipment, and the ship's galley.[47]

On 2 April, acting Navy Secretary Thomas Modly relieved Crozier of his command for sending the request for assistance over non-secure email to what he characterized as "broad array of people" rather than up the chain of command, adding that Crozier "allowed the complexity of the challenge of the COVID breakout on the ship to overwhelm his ability to act professionally".[53] Crozier was to remain in the Navy and retain his rank.[53] Several members of the House Armed Services Committee criticized the decision, stating that "the dismissal of Captain Crozier at this critical moment, as the sailors aboard the U.S.S. Theodore Roosevelt are confronted with the COVID-19 pandemic, is a reckless, political move that reeks of undue command influence."[53] Captain Carlos A. Sardiello assumed temporary command of Theodore Roosevelt; his second stint serving as the ship's captain.[54] Modly traveled to Guam and gave a ship-wide speech, which The New York Times described as a "tirade",[55] during which he was heckled by some of the sailors.[56] After demands from Congress that he be fired, Modly resigned on April 7.[57]

As of Easter Sunday, 12 April, 585 crew members had tested positive.[58] The Navy and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are using the infection, death, and recovery data from Theodore Roosevelt to study the pandemic.[59] On 13 April, the hospitalized sailor, a chief petty officer, died.[63] As of 20 April, 4,069 sailors had been moved off the ship,[64] 94% of the crew had been tested for the virus, yielding 678 positive and 3,904 negative results.[64] As of 17 April, seven crew members were in the hospital including one in intensive care.[65] About 60% of the people who tested positive did not have symptoms.[66] As of 16 April, most of the ship had been cleaned.[67] Sailors kept testing positive for the virus even after 14 days of isolation; some who tested positive had previously tested negative.[64] The Navy temporarily suspended post-quarantine testing and extended the sailors' isolation, delaying plans to begin moves of the crew back to the carrier.[64] Some sailors volunteered for antibody testing.[68] Initial testing was completed by 27 April 2020, at which point, 969 crew members had tested positive, and 14 of those 969 had recovered.[69] By 29 April, sailors that were previously quarantined in Guam began moving back to the ship.[70] Theodore Roosevelt returned to sea on 21 May for the first time after being sidelined for two months due to COVID-19.[71]

On 19 June 2020 the widely expected reinstatement of Captain Crozier was canceled and the promotion of the Theodore Roosevelt strike group commander was put on hold.[72] On 23 June USS Nimitz and Theodore Roosevelt completed a two-carrier operation in the Philippine Sea.[73] Theodore Roosevelt was returning to home port when another chief petty officer suffered a medical emergency, of which the nature was not disclosed, and died 2 July 2020.[62]

In a 10 November 2020 scientific brief, the CDC highlighted this case among several others to detail the community benefit of masking, as the use of face coverings on-board was demonstrated to be associated with a 70% reduced risk of infection.[74] Final analysis of the outbreak in December 2020, found 1271 crew members tested positive for SARS-Cov-2 and an additional 60 had suspected COVID-19 but did not test positive; 76.9% of those who tested positive were asymptomatic at testing. 55% developed symptoms.[75]

Return to service

[edit]

In July 2021 she was moved from San Diego, her usual homeport, to Bremerton, Washington, where she was retrofitted to accommodate the F-35 multirole combat aircraft. A Navy spokesman said she was to be at the Bremerton shipyard for 16 to 18 months. Approximately 3,000 sailors and their families moved to Bremerton with the ship.[76] Theodore Roosevelt left Bremerton for sea trials in March 2023 and eventually returned to her previous homeport of San Diego.[77]

Theodore Roosevelt deployed in January 2024 from Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego.[78] On 19 March 2024, a F/A-18F Super Hornet from Carrier Air Wing 11 made the 250,000th successful arrested landing on her deck.[79] In late-June 2024, she was ordered to the Middle East to relieve USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and to continue the U.S. presence in the region arriving there in July.[80] In mid-July, US Navy's Carrier Strike Group 9 centered on Theodore Roosevelt along with Carrier Air Wing 11 and USS Daniel Inouye conducted an exercise with the Indian Navy's INS Aditya and INS Visakhapatnam in the Indian Ocean.[81][82][83] She operated in conjunction with Abraham Lincoln from August until September before returning home on 14 October 2024 after 278 days on deployment.[84]

Ship awards

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See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is the fourth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the United States Navy, named in honor of the 26th President of the United States, . Commissioned on 25 October 1986 after construction at , the vessel measures 1,092 feet in length with a beam of 252 feet and a full-load displacement exceeding 100,000 tons, enabling it to embark a of up to 90 aircraft for missions. Homeported in , , Theodore Roosevelt has conducted numerous deployments supporting U.S. maritime strategy, including operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area and the , where it maintains sea lanes and deters aggression through capabilities. The carrier has earned multiple Battle Efficiency "E" awards for superior performance in categories such as engineering, supply, and overall readiness, reflecting crew proficiency in sustaining extended operations. A notable incident occurred in 2020 during an deployment when a outbreak infected over 1,000 of its approximately 5,000 sailors, prompting the ship's quarantine in , the relief of Captain Brett Crozier for a widely circulated plea for assistance deemed to risk operational security, and a subsequent command investigation that identified failures in early prevention measures and decision-making.

Background

Naming and Congressional Authorization

The construction of CVN-71, the fourth ship of the Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, was authorized by the as part of the Fiscal Year 1980 authorization bill for the Department of Defense. Following authorization, and Drydock Company (now ) was awarded the construction contract on September 30, 1980. In 1981, Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman Jr. selected the name for CVN-71, honoring the 26th for his pivotal role in expanding and modernizing the U.S. during his presidency (1901–1909), including advocacy for a "big stick" emphasizing projection. Lehman emphasized Roosevelt's "complete faith in the necessity for projecting power" as aligning with the carrier's strategic purpose. This naming decision reflected congressional and naval priorities for commemorating leaders who advanced American maritime strength, distinct from the class's prior ships named after other presidents or congressional figures.

Keel Laying and Initial Planning

The keel of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) was laid down on October 31, 1981, at in . Secretary of Defense authenticated the ceremony by initiating the first weld, symbolizing the start of construction for the fourth Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Planning for CVN-71 originated in the late 1970s amid U.S. naval expansion to counter Soviet maritime capabilities during the , with the ship formally ordered on September 30, 1980, under fiscal year 1981 appropriations. This phase incorporated lessons from prior Nimitz-class builds, emphasizing enhanced automation, improved damage control, and modular prefabrication to streamline assembly and mitigate delays observed in earlier carriers like USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The modular approach divided the hull into large sections fabricated in parallel before integration, a technique adopted to accelerate delivery amid budgetary pressures and workforce constraints at the shipyard. These innovations reflected first-of-class refinements for the later Nimitz variants, prioritizing operational readiness over rigid adherence to initial CVN-68 blueprints, though full implementation extended into subsequent construction phases.

Design and Construction

Shipyard Selection and Timeline

The construction of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) was assigned to Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company in Newport News, Virginia, the sole U.S. facility with the specialized infrastructure and expertise required for building large nuclear-powered aircraft carriers of the Nimitz class, following its successful completion of predecessors like USS Nimitz (CVN-68). The contract for hull 624D was awarded on September 30, 1980, initiating the project under a fixed timeline proposed by the shipyard of approximately 96 months from award to delivery. Keel laying occurred on October 31, 1981, authenticated by Secretary of Defense through the initiation of the first weld, marking the formal start of structural assembly. The hull was launched on October 27, 1984, after roughly three years of fabrication and integration of major components. Following launch, outfitting and testing proceeded, culminating in delivery to the on October 17, 1986, and formal commissioning on October 25, 1986, at the shipyard's outfitting berth. This timeline reflected efforts to compress the standard Nimitz-class construction schedule amid fiscal pressures, though it adhered closely to the shipyard's initial bid without major delays reported in primary records.

Key Design Features and Innovations

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) introduced modular construction to the Nimitz-class, assembling the hull from 159 large prefabricated modules using a 900-ton at , which accelerated completion by 17 months compared to traditional methods and influenced subsequent carriers like . This approach enhanced build efficiency while maintaining the class's overall dimensions of 1,092 feet in , 252 feet in beam at the , and approximately 97,000 tons full load displacement. Structural revisions from earlier Nimitz-class vessels (CVN-68 to CVN-70) included improved armor protection with 2.5-inch (64 mm) spall liners over vital areas to mitigate fragmentation and small-arms threats, alongside a redesigned layout for better compartmentalization and shock resistance. These features were rigorously tested during full-scale shock trials from August 31 to September 21, 1987, using over 800 sensors to assess the ship's against underwater explosions, confirming the design's robustness for the subclass. Aviation innovations centered on an advanced Combat Direction Center equipped with AEGIS-derived large-screen displays for real-time target tracking and coordination, supporting a standardized 10-squadron air wing of up to 90 . The sensor suite featured upgraded radars including the SPS-49(V)5 for air search and SPS-48E for 3D height-finding, complemented by enhanced electronic warfare systems such as the SLQ-29 countermeasures, eight Mk 36 SRBOC decoy launchers, and SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo decoys. Propulsion retained the class-standard dual A4W nuclear reactors delivering 260,000 shaft horsepower to four propellers, achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots, but benefited from the overall structural refinements for sustained high-speed operations.

Technical Specifications

Hull and Displacement Details

The hull of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is constructed primarily from high-strength plating, designed to withstand operational stresses including full-power runs and shock trials. Beginning with CVN-71, the class incorporates 2.5-inch (64 mm) spall liners over vital spaces for enhanced fragmentation protection, with earlier ships retrofitted similarly. Key dimensions include an overall length of 1,092 feet (333 m) and a waterline length of 1,040 feet (317 m); the beam spans 252 feet (77 m) across the angled flight deck and 134 feet (41 m) at the waterline; draft measures 37 feet (11 m). Full-load displacement is approximately 97,000 tons (88,000 metric tons). Later assessments account for growth to around 100,000–104,000 tons due to equipment additions and modifications over the ship's service life.

Propulsion and Power Systems

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is powered by two Westinghouse A4W pressurized water nuclear reactors, which generate heat through to produce steam for propulsion and auxiliary systems. Each reactor is rated at approximately 550 megawatts thermal (MWt), providing a total thermal output sufficient to support the ship's high-power demands without reliance on fossil fuels. This nuclear configuration enables an operational range limited only by crew provisions and maintenance cycles, with reactor refueling intervals extending up to 20-25 years under standard protocols. Steam from the reactors drives four main geared steam turbines, which in turn power four propeller shafts equipped with bronze propellers designed for high efficiency and durability. The propulsion system delivers a total shaft horsepower of 260,000 shp (approximately 194 megawatts mechanical), achieving sustained speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/h). Auxiliary steam systems support catapults, freshwater production via evaporators, and , while electrical power—generated by steam-driven turbogenerators—supplies the ship's extensive needs, including , lighting, and weapon systems, at voltages up to 450 volts AC. During the ship's 2009-2013 refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) at , upgrades included new propellers and overhauled shafts with advanced coatings to enhance hydrodynamic performance and reduce . These modifications maintained the core A4W design's reliability, which has powered Nimitz-class carriers through decades of deployments with a proven safety record in naval operations. The system's redundancy, with reactors in separate compartments, ensures continued propulsion even if one unit experiences issues, as demonstrated in historical carrier operations.

Armament and Defensive Capabilities

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), as a Nimitz-class , relies on its air wing for primary offensive capabilities but maintains systems focused on countering aerial, , and surface threats. These include launchers, close-in weapon systems, and passive protective measures, integrated with electronic warfare suites for layered defense. Surface-to-air missile systems comprise two Mk 29 launchers capable of firing Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles (ESSM, RIM-162), which provide medium-range engagement against aircraft and anti-ship missiles with quad-packed missiles per launcher for increased capacity. Complementing these are two Mk 49 launchers for RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missiles (RAM), short-range infrared-guided interceptors designed specifically for rapid response to sea-skimming cruise missiles, with each launcher holding 21 missiles. The ship has demonstrated these systems in live-fire exercises, such as firing RIM-7M Sea Sparrows (precursor to ESSM) against drones in 1986 and RAM launches against simulated threats as recently as 2025. Close-in defense is handled by two Mk 15 mounts, each featuring a 20 mm Gatling gun with radar-guided autonomous tracking, capable of firing 3,000 to 4,500 rounds per minute of tungsten projectiles to shred incoming missiles or aircraft at ranges under 2 km. The systems on CVN-71 have been tested extensively, including against surface drone targets in 2014 and pre-aim calibrations in 2017, confirming operational readiness post-refit. Additional small-caliber weapons, such as .50-caliber machine guns and M240s, support security teams against asymmetric threats like small boats. Protective features include spall liners over vital spaces, magazines, and command areas to mitigate fragmentation from hits or internal explosions, a standard for Nimitz-class carriers without heavy plate armor due to emphasis on speed and over direct durability. Electronic countermeasures, including the SLQ-32(V)6 suite, provide jamming and decoy launchers (e.g., Mk 36 SRBOC for and flares) to disrupt incoming missile guidance, though specifics for CVN-71's configuration evolve with upgrades during overhaul periods. No torpedo tubes or offensive surface guns are fitted, aligning with the carrier's role in strike group operations where escorts handle subsurface threats.

Aviation Facilities and Air Wing Capacity

The aviation facilities of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) center on its , measuring approximately 333 meters in length and 77 meters in width, providing 4.5 acres of armored surface for operations. The deck features a 9-degree angled layout, enabling simultaneous launches and recoveries to maximize . Launch and recovery systems include four steam-powered catapults—two positioned at the bow and two along the port waist—to accelerate to takeoff speeds. Recovery is facilitated by four arrester wires and a system for emergency stops, supporting high-tempo flight operations. Three aircraft elevators transfer planes between the flight and hangar decks, with the hangar bay offering space for maintenance and storage of up to 90 and rotary-wing aircraft. The carrier's air wing capacity accommodates a typical (CVW) of around 65-70 aircraft, scalable to a maximum of approximately 90 depending on mission requirements, including F/A-18E/F Super Hornets, EA-18G Growlers, E-2D Hawkeyes, MH-60R/S Seahawks, and support types. Aviation fuel storage totals 3.3 million gallons of JP-5, enabling sustained sorties without frequent replenishment. These facilities support the projection of air power across strike, surveillance, and electronic warfare roles.

Commissioning and Early Operations

Launch, Christening, and Commissioning Ceremony

The hull of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) was launched on October 27, 1984, at in . The christening occurred concurrently during the launch ceremony, with Mrs. Barbara Lehman, wife of Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman, serving as sponsor and performing the traditional bottle-breaking ritual. Dignitaries in attendance included Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman, Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger, Senator (R-VA), and shipyard executives such as E.J. Campbell. The event highlighted the ship's role as the fourth U.S. Navy vessel named for and emphasized naval traditions tied to his legacy, with speeches underscoring the carrier's capabilities as a "new big stick" in projecting American power. Following the launch, outfitting continued, with the pre-commissioning unit established on September 9, 1984, under Prospective Paul W. Parcells, who assumed full command duties in August 1984. members began moving aboard in May 1986 to prepare for activation. The commissioning ceremony took place on October 25, 1986, at Outfitting Berth #1, , marking the ship's formal entry into U.S. Navy service. Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger delivered the principal address, invoking Theodore Roosevelt's naval philosophy and the strategic importance of aircraft carriers in maintaining deterrence. Captain Paul W. Parcells, as , accepted command, with Commander Charles S. Abbott serving as . Low passes by E-2 Hawkeye and S-3 Viking aircraft capped the proceedings, symbolizing the carrier's aviation mission.

Sea Trials and Shakedown Period

Following delivery from , USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) commenced builder's sea trials on September 22, 1986, lasting until October 10, 1986, during which the vessel underwent initial at-sea testing of propulsion, navigation, and systems integration in the Atlantic off . These trials included backing maneuvers in the and evaluations to verify performance prior to formal commissioning on October 25, 1986. Post-commissioning, the carrier entered its shakedown period with a six-week cruise departing on January 4, 1987, focused on operational training in the Guantanamo Bay operating area, including carrier qualifications and crew proficiency drills. On January 10, 1987, during this phase in waters, the ship diverted to rescue two shipwrecked mariners, Joseph D. Buffkin and John F. McNeill, from a life raft approximately 300 miles southeast of after detecting their . The shakedown concluded successfully by late January 1987, certifying the vessel for fleet integration without major reported deficiencies. Subsequent full shock trials in October 1987, involving underwater explosions to assess structural resilience, marked an extension of post-shakedown validation, with the first detonation on September 19 off the starboard side demonstrating the hull's ability to withstand blast effects.

Maiden Deployment and Initial Exercises

Following sea trials and shakedown operations, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) conducted initial fleet exercises in 1988 to integrate with its battle group. On August 25, 1988, the carrier sailed from to participate in NATO's Teamwork 88 exercise in the North Atlantic, involving over 200 ships, 500 aircraft, and 45,000 personnel from multiple allied nations, focusing on multinational interoperability and scenarios. This marked the ship's first operational integration as a fully operational unit, emphasizing coordinated maneuvers and air defense drills. The carrier departed on December 30, 1988, for its maiden deployment to the , accompanied by (CVW-8), the U.S. Navy's first 10-squadron air wing comprising 86 aircraft including F-14 Tomcats, F/A-18 Hornets, A-6 Intruders, and E-2 Hawkeyes. The six-month transit, dubbed the "Great Adventure" by the crew, covered approximately 189 days with significant underway periods to establish sustained flight operations rhythms, logging thousands of sorties in support of Sixth Fleet presence missions. During the deployment, engaged in joint exercises to hone . From February 4 to 8, , it participated in Phinia '89 in the Western Mediterranean, conducting air-to-ground strikes, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare missions with allied forces to simulate regional contingencies. Later, in exercise Dragon Hammer '89, the carrier operated with partners including , , and , testing rapid response tactics, carrier-based air support, and battle group coordination amid heightened tensions. Port calls, such as a six-day visit to , , on August 16, —prior to return transit—facilitated crew rest and diplomatic engagements while maintaining operational tempo. Theodore Roosevelt returned to on June 30, 1989, having validated its Nimitz-class capabilities in extended at-sea operations without major incidents, setting precedents for future carrier deployments in and alliance .

Operational History

Gulf War and 1990s Mediterranean and Deployments

USS Theodore Roosevelt departed Norfolk on December 28, 1990, for a deployment supporting Operation Desert Shield, transiting the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Suez Canal, and Red Sea before entering the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz on January 19, 1991. Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8) aircraft commenced combat sorties on that date, contributing to coalition efforts in Operation Desert Storm after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. The carrier operated as part of Battle Force Zulu, a formation of U.S. Navy carriers in the Persian Gulf on March 2, 1991, alongside vessels including USS Midway and USS Ranger. CVW-8, embarked on Theodore Roosevelt, flew 4,270 sorties—representing about 11% of total coalition fixed-wing sorties and 30% of sorties—while dropping over 2.5 million pounds of ordnance and striking or damaging 447 tactical targets and 88 fixed targets. The deployment lasted 189 days, with 169 days at sea, logging over 16,000 flight hours on the deck; the ship returned to on June 28, 1991. For its performance, Theodore Roosevelt earned the Navy Unit Commendation and Meritorious Unit Commendation. In the mid-1990s, conducted multiple Mediterranean deployments, including from March 11 to September 8, 1993, focused on exercises and regional presence. A subsequent deployment from March 22 to September 22, 1995, supported operations in the ; on August 30, 1995, CVW-8 aircraft from the carrier launched the initial strikes against Bosnian Serb positions, initiating to enforce compliance with UN resolutions amid the . This operation involved over 3,500 allied sorties, with 's contributions aiding in lifting the siege of and other safe areas. Theodore Roosevelt's November 25, 1996, to May 22, 1997, deployment with CVW-3 enforced no-fly zones over southern under , operating in both the Mediterranean and regions to deter Iraqi aggression and protect Kurdish populations. During this period, the carrier's air wing conducted surveillance and enforcement missions, logging significant flight hours in response to Iraqi air defense violations. These operations underscored the ship's role in post-Cold War power projection and containment strategies in the .

2000s Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom

Following the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) participated in the Global War on Terrorism, conducting multiple deployments to support Operations Enduring Freedom in and Iraqi Freedom in . 1 (CVW-1), embarked during the initial response, flew over 10,000 sorties from the North , dropping more than 1.7 million pounds of ordnance, with 93 percent precision-guided munitions, contributing to over 70 percent of strike missions from October 7 to December 31, 2001. The carrier launched its first strikes on October 17, 2001, including the Marine Corps' initial combat mission by F/A-18C Hornets of VMFA-251, and shifted to night operations to complement (CVN-70) for continuous coverage. Departing on September 19, 2001, the ship set a U.S. record with 159 consecutive days at sea before returning on March 27, 2002. In support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Theodore Roosevelt deployed from January 6 to May 29, 2003, with Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8), launching initial combat sorties on March 22, 2003, and operating primarily as a night carrier to enable 24-hour air operations. The air wing executed 6,500 total sorties, including 1,003 combat missions, and expended over 1 million pounds of ordnance against Iraqi targets. Notable achievements included the 100,000th launch on April 30, 2003, and sustained long-duration missions from the and . The carrier returned to the region from September 1, 2005, to March 11, 2006, supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom and operations with CVW-8. Sorties commenced on October 6, 2005, totaling over 10,000 flight operations and more than 5,500 combat missions across 30,750 flight hours, including support for Operation Steel Curtain in November 2005. F-14 Tomcats of VF-31 conducted the squadron's final combat missions on February 8, 2006, expending approximately 9,500 pounds of ordnance. These efforts underscored the ship's role in amid ongoing and stabilization missions.

2010s Indo-Pacific and Middle East Operations

On March 11, 2015, USS Theodore Roosevelt departed Naval Station Norfolk for an around-the-world deployment, operating across the U.S. 5th, 6th, and 7th Fleet areas of responsibility with Carrier Air Wing 8 and Destroyer Squadron 23 embarked. In the U.S. 5th Fleet's area, the carrier supported Operation Inherent Resolve by launching airstrikes against Islamic State targets in Iraq and Syria, contributing to coalition efforts to degrade terrorist capabilities. Amid escalating conflict in Yemen, where Houthi rebels backed by Iran had seized control, the Theodore Roosevelt was redirected to the Arabian Sea in April 2015 to enhance maritime security and enforce United Nations arms embargo resolutions against the Houthis. The carrier's presence deterred potential Iranian arms shipments to the rebels, with U.S. forces monitoring suspicious vessels amid reports of convoys from Iran; no direct interceptions by the carrier were reported, but the deployment signaled U.S. commitment to regional stability. After operations, the strike group transited the and entered the under U.S. 7th Fleet, conducting routine patrols, operations, and port visits to strengthen alliances before arriving at its new homeport in on November 23, 2015, after 257 days at sea. In October 2017, USS Theodore Roosevelt embarked Carrier Air Wing 11 and departed for a scheduled deployment to the U.S. 7th and 5th Fleet areas. Early in the transit, the carrier joined Exercise Malabar and other bilateral drills in the Western Pacific, followed by participation in a historic three-carrier strike force operation with USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in November 2017, focusing on air defense, sea control, and coordinated strikes to demonstrate U.S. amid tensions with and . Shifting to the Middle East, the Theodore Roosevelt operated in the Arabian Gulf and Arabian Sea through early 2018, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve with continued airstrikes and maritime interdiction against ISIS remnants and Iranian influence. The deployment concluded with a return to San Diego in May 2018 after seven months. In May 2019, USS Theodore Roosevelt and participated in Exercise Northern Edge 2019 in the , a joint training event involving U.S. , , Marine Corps, and forces, emphasizing multi-domain operations, live-fire exercises, and integration of over 10,000 personnel to prepare for high-end combat scenarios in the theater.

2020s Deployments Including South China Sea and Multi-Carrier Exercises

Following the resolution of the outbreak aboard the ship, USS Theodore Roosevelt commenced a second deployment on December 23, 2020, as part of (CSG-9) to the U.S. 3rd and 7th Fleets' areas of responsibility in the . The strike group, including guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and destroyers USS Russell (DDG-59), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), USS Pinckney (DDG-91), USS Kidd (DDG-100), and USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), conducted maritime security operations and flight operations with 11 (CVW-11). In April 2021, CSG-9 entered the for routine operations, including transits to contest excessive maritime claims and ensure compliance with . The deployment concluded with the ship's return to on May 25, 2021, after approximately five months at sea. Earlier in the decade, on June 17, 2020, Theodore Roosevelt and USS Nimitz (CVN-68) conducted dual-carrier flight operations in the Philippine Sea as part of integrated operations within the U.S. 7th Fleet, demonstrating power projection and interoperability amid heightened regional tensions. These multi-carrier evolutions involved coordinated launches and recoveries of fixed-wing aircraft from both carriers, enhancing combat readiness and deterrence capabilities. CSG-9 redeployed on January 11, 2024, for a nine-month mission supporting U.S. Command objectives, including operations in the Western Pacific, , and . During this period, the carrier transited the multiple times, with documented passages on March 4, 2024, for replenishment-at-sea evolutions, and May 26, 2024, underscoring sustained forward presence to maintain open sea lanes. In June 2024, Theodore Roosevelt led the inaugural Freedom Edge exercise, a trilateral multi-domain drill with and the Republic of Korea focused on ballistic missile defense, , and maritime interdiction in the waters east of the Korean Peninsula. The exercise integrated naval, air, and undersea assets from all three nations, marking a shift toward routine allied cooperation to counter regional threats. The deployment ended with the group's return to on October 15, 2024. In February 2026, USS Theodore Roosevelt visited Naval Magazine Indian Island, Washington, from February 2 to 5. The ship then transited south, arriving in San Diego, California, around February 9-10. For the remainder of the month, it remained in port at Naval Base Coronado conducting routine operations and maintenance, including anchor chain maintenance. No underway deployments were reported as of February 18, 2026.

COVID-19 Outbreak and Response

Emergence of Cases and Onboard Mitigation Efforts

The first confirmed cases of aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) emerged on March 24, 2020, when three sailors tested positive for while the ship was underway in the western following a port visit to , , from March 15 to 19. These initial detections followed reports from sailors of symptoms including loss of taste or smell, with possible earlier indicators of (ILI) noted in medical logs from mid-March, though retrospective analysis suggested undetected transmission may have begun weeks prior. The outbreak rapidly escalated, with cases doubling daily by late March; on March 30, 30 new positives were reported, marking the peak daily incidence, amid a of approximately 4,800 personnel operating in confined spaces that facilitated . Ultimately, 1,271 sailors—over 26% of the —tested positive, with one fatality from complications, highlighting the virus's high transmissibility in the ship's dense environment despite pre-existing protocols. In response, the ship was directed to on March 26, arriving March 27, where shifted to large-scale offloading of personnel to enable isolation ashore, as onboard was deemed infeasible due to limited space and ventilation challenges in berthing areas. Over 4,000 sailors were disembarked in phases to hotels and facilities on , undergoing universal PCR testing, with positives isolated individually and close contacts quarantined for 14 days under daily medical monitoring, including temperature checks and symptom screening. Onboard, the remaining essential crew—reduced to about 800 for mission-critical functions like propulsion and flight operations—implemented enhanced sanitation, mask usage where feasible, and restricted movement between compartments, though full proved impossible given the carrier's design for high-density operations. Serologic studies later confirmed that curbed further spread after offloading, with prevalence stabilizing, but early onboard efforts were hampered by transmission and initial testing constraints. By June 4, the ship departed after phased re-embarkation of cleared personnel, having contained active cases through this hybrid onshore-offshore strategy.

Captain Brett Crozier's Actions and Relief from Command

In response to the initial detection of cases on March 24, 2020, while USS Theodore Roosevelt was underway in the , Captain , who had assumed command on November 1, 2019, directed enhanced sanitation protocols including twice-daily deep cleaning with bleach solutions and isolated the first confirmed cases. By March 27, upon arrival in , 36 sailors had tested positive, prompting Crozier to quarantine over 4,000 personnel onboard and request additional testing and medical resources through his chain of command. However, on March 29, he authorized the release of more than 1,000 quarantined sailors without prior consultation with (CSG-9), a decision later assessed by investigators as contributing to the subsequent rise in infections to 53 cases by that date. On March 30, 2020, with cases continuing to increase and limited onboard quarantine capacity, composed and distributed a four-page unclassified via to 10 primary recipients in his operational and administrative chains, including , (CCSG-9), with copies to approximately 20 additional personnel. The letter urged the "rapid removal of the majority of the crew" to shoreside facilities compliant with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, emphasizing that "if we do not act now, the spread of the disease to our shipmates will rapidly deteriorate our fighting capability" and declaring his readiness to accept career consequences to protect the crew. It bypassed direct consultation with CCSG-9 prior to distribution and was sent without classification safeguards, despite ongoing efforts to secure hotel quarantines in . The document leaked to the on March 31, generating intense media scrutiny and complicating negotiations for additional quarantine sites. Acting Secretary of the relieved of command on April 2, 2020, citing a loss of confidence due to "extremely poor judgment" in the letter's broad dissemination, which created a public "firestorm" that undermined the chain of command, alarmed the public unnecessarily, and rendered the ship non-mission capable amid its deployment. Modly's subsequent address to the crew on described Crozier's approach as naive and overly alarmist, though he resigned two days later amid backlash over those remarks. A admiral's investigation in found the relief appropriate, and a comprehensive command investigation released on May 27, 2020, concluded that Crozier's letter had no material impact on accelerating resources—already in motion—and reflected inconsistent leadership, including the premature quarantine releases; it recommended against his reassignment to command. Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday upheld the relief on June 19, 2020, determining that while Crozier demonstrated care for his crew, his judgment in communicating the crisis compromised operational discretion and Navy response efficacy, with the outbreak ultimately infecting 1,248 sailors and resulting in one death. Crozier's actions garnered strong support from much of the crew, who viewed him as prioritizing sailor welfare, but official assessments emphasized that the letter's execution, rather than its intent, eroded confidence in his leadership under pressure.

Investigations, Political Fallout, and Long-Term Impacts

The U.S. Navy initiated a preliminary inquiry immediately following Captain Brett Crozier's from command on April 2, 2020, examining the outbreak aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt and the handling of Crozier's March 30 letter requesting evacuation. This was followed by a comprehensive command investigation, whose redacted results were publicly released on June 19, 2020, by Admiral Michael Gilday. The investigation determined that Crozier's decision to distribute the letter to approximately recipients—many outside the direct of command—constituted poor judgment, as it risked compromising operational , generated undue media attention, and bypassed established reporting procedures. While acknowledging Crozier's intent to protect his amid over 1,200 confirmed cases, the report criticized the lack of earlier mitigation measures post-March 24 initial positives and premature releases due to onboard habitability issues. Gilday upheld the , reversing an earlier endorsement for reinstatement and deeming Crozier ineligible for future carrier command, citing a demonstrated inability to balance warfighting priorities with . The episode triggered significant political repercussions within the Trump administration and . Acting Secretary of the Navy , who directed 's relief citing eroded confidence in his leadership, faced immediate bipartisan scrutiny from lawmakers including House Armed Services Committee members who demanded 's reinstatement as a defender of sailor welfare. Modly's ship-wide address to the crew, in which he described as either "too naive or too stupid" to grasp the letter's broader implications, was leaked and amplified public and congressional outrage, prompting Modly's on April 7 amid President Trump's expressed loss of confidence. The incident fueled partisan divides, with some Republican figures aligning with the Navy's emphasis on chain-of-command discipline, while Democratic critics and media narratives framed as a whistleblower sacrificed for political optics during the early . In the long term, the outbreak and ensuing investigations drove procedural and doctrinal reforms to bolster naval resilience against biological threats. The adopted recommendations from , including stricter chain-of-command communication protocols to prevent unauthorized disclosures and enhanced onboard mitigation strategies such as improved ventilation assessments and facilities. Pre-deployment policies were revised to mandate 14-day crew sequestering, comprehensive medical screenings, and phased return-to-ship testing protocols, as announced in May 2020, to avert similar uncontained spreads on large vessels. The event underscored systemic vulnerabilities in high-density ship environments—evidenced by studies showing rapid transmission in confined spaces—and spurred investments in rapid diagnostic capabilities and biological defense training, influencing broader U.S. military pandemic preparedness doctrines. retired as a captain in 2022 without reinstatement or further seagoing command, while the carrier resumed operations after extensive disinfection, though the incident highlighted enduring challenges in balancing crew health with mission readiness in peer-competitor theaters.

Awards, Recognition, and Legacy

Unit Commendations and Battle Efficiency Awards

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) has received three s for exceptional performance in high-intensity operations, including combat support during deployments such as those related to Bosnia operations in the mid-1990s. The recognizes units that distinguish themselves through sustained superior performance beyond normal expectations. The carrier has also earned three Meritorious Unit Commendations, awarded for meritorious service in non-combat but demanding conditions, with one instance tied to operational accomplishments in the early . Additionally, it holds one , conferred for joint service contributions to national security objectives. In terms of Battle Efficiency Awards, known as the Battle "E," CVN-71 has secured five such honors, which annually recognize ships and squadrons achieving peak combat readiness through excellence in warfare skills, engineering, and operations. Specific awards include the 1990 Battle "E" from Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet; the 1992 award as its second overall; the 1994 Battle "E" as its third; the 2017 award for West Coast-based carriers; and the 2021 Battle "E" for sustained proficiency amid rigorous training and maintenance cycles.

Role in U.S. Naval Power Projection and Deterrence

The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) exemplifies U.S. naval through its role as the centerpiece of a (CSG), integrating over 7,500 personnel, up to 90 aircraft, and escort vessels to enable rapid, sustained offensive and defensive operations across global theaters. Its nuclear-powered endurance allows deployment for extended periods without reliance on foreign ports, facilitating the delivery of air superiority, precision strikes, and maritime interdiction far from U.S. shores. This capability underpins deterrence by signaling to adversaries the credible threat of overwhelming force, as evidenced by its participation in exercises emphasizing sea control and power projection ashore. In the , the Theodore Roosevelt CSG has conducted operations in the to assert and counter coercive activities, entering the region on January 23, 2021, for routine missions that enhance regional stability. Bilateral drills with allies, such as the April 2021 exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force, integrated air operations to bolster and deter potential malign actions by demonstrating unified response capabilities. These deployments, often alongside amphibious ready groups like the Makin Island ARG, amplify deterrence through multi-carrier formations that project collective combat power against territorial assertiveness. In the Middle East, the carrier's forward presence has directly supported deterrence against threats to maritime commerce, arriving in U.S. 5th Fleet operations on July 12, 2024, to deter aggression, promote stability, and safeguard shipping lanes amid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian. The CSG's integration of destroyers like USS Halsey (DDG-97) enables layered air and missile defense, underscoring the vessel's utility in high-threat environments where its air wing can conduct strike missions to neutralize asymmetric threats. Such positioning reinforces U.S. alliances and raises the cost of escalation for state and non-state actors, aligning with strategic objectives of maintaining open sea lines of communication. The Theodore Roosevelt's repeated surges, including dual deployments in 2020, highlight its operational resilience in sustaining deterrence amid global hotspots, providing national command authorities with flexible options for both peacetime presence and crisis response. Exercises like Northern Edge 2021 further hone joint capabilities for large-scale power projection, ensuring readiness to execute full-spectrum operations that deter peer competitors. Through these roles, the carrier embodies the "Big Stick" diplomacy of its namesake, leveraging visible strength to preserve peace via credible military posture.

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