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| Career (US) |  |
|---|---|
| Ordered: | 30 September 1980 |
| Laid down: | 31 October 1981 |
| Launched: | 27 October 1984 |
| Commissioned: | 25 October 1986 |
| Status: | Active in service as of 2008 |
| Homeport: | NS Norfolk, Virginia |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 101,000 to 104,000 tons full load |
| Length: | Overall: 1,092 ft (333 m) Waterline: 1,040 ft (317 m) |
| Beam: | Overall: 252 ft (76.8 m) Waterline: 134 ft (40.8 m) |
| Draft: | Maximum navigational: 37 ft (11.3 m) Limit: 41 ft (12.5 m) |
| Propulsion: | 2 × Westinghouse A4W nuclear reactors 4 × steam turbines 4 × shafts 260,000 shp (194 MW) |
| Speed: | 30+ knots (56+ km/h) |
| Range: | Essentially unlimited |
| Endurance: | Limited only by food |
| Complement: | Ship's company: 3,200 Air wing: 2,480 |
| Sensors and processing systems: | AN/SPS-48E 3-D air search radar AN/SPS-49(V)5 2-D air search radar Mk 23 target acquisition radar 2 × AN/SPN-46 air traffic control radars AN/SPN-43B air traffic control radar AN/SPN-44 landing aid radars 3 × Mk 91 NSSM guidance systems 3 × Mk 95 radars |
| Electronic warfare and decoys: | SLQ-32A(V)4 Countermeasures suite SLQ-25A Nixie torpedo countermeasures |
| Armament: | 3 x NSSMS (Sea Sparrow) Sea-to-Air missile launchers
3 x PHALANX CIWS (Close-In Weapons System) Gatling guns 10 x .50 Caliber M2HB mounted machine guns |
| Armour: | No armor plating, but a double-hull design reduces damage from torpedoes |
| Aircraft carried: | 90 fixed wing and helicopters |
| Motto: | Qui Plantavit Curabit (He who has planted will preserve.) |
| Nickname: | T.R., Big Stick |
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) (known affectionately as the Big Stick or TR) is the fourth Nimitz-class supercarrier and its call sign is Rough Rider, the name of President Theodore Roosevelt's volunteer cavalry unit during the Spanish-American War. It was launched on 27 October 1984 and saw its first action during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. On 9 June 1990, Capt. Charles S. Abbot became the ship's third Commanding Officer and on 28 December, Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 deployed for Operation Desert Shield. With the commencement of Operation Desert Storm on 15 January 1991, Theodore Roosevelt commenced combat operations, eventually flying over 4,200 sorties (more than any other carrier) and dropping more than 4,800,000 pounds of ordnance before the cease-fire on 28 February.
Timeline
Her history began on 30 September 1980, when a contract was awarded to Newport News Shipbuilding. Construction began on 31 October 1981, when Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger authenticated the keel-laying of Theodore Roosevelt by initiating the first weld. Captain Paul W. Parcells was named Prospective Commanding Officer in February 1984, and that October the ship was officially christened. On 25 October 1986, Theodore Roosevelt was placed in active service. Its cost is $4.5 billion dollars in 2007 dollars. Normally the first ship in a class, in this case Nimitz, would be shock tested prior to deployment. However, Nimitz was never tested and the testing fell to Theodore Roosevelt, or the "T.R." as it is sometimes referred to by its sailors. The T.R. had four explosive charges at various depths, distances and amplitudes detonated underneath her hull. All critical components were videotaped and analyzed. The shock testing was in addition to the standard tests that all newly commissioned ships endure such as high speed runs and turns. Because of extensive changes between the first three units of the class and "T.R." and all subsequent ships, the latter six are infrequently called "Theodore Roosevelt-class" aircraft carriers.
Maiden Deployment
Capt. Dayton W. Ritt became Theodore Roosevelt's second Commanding Officer on 3 October 1987, and on 30 December 1988, Theodore Roosevelt started her maiden deployment, which was also the maiden deployment of the first 10-squadron air wing, Carrier Air Wing Eight. Theodore Roosevelt was awarded the Battle "E" from Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, on 20 March 1990.
Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
On 9 June 1990, Capt. Charles S. Abbot became the ship's third Commanding Officer and on 28 December, Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 deployed for Operation Desert Shield. 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 of ordnance before the cease-fire on 28 February. 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 169 days at sea, Theodore Roosevelt returned to Norfolk on 28 June 1991. On 14 February 1992, the ship won its second Battle "E". This was followed by the award of the Battenberg Cup for 1991 as the Atlantic Fleet's premier ship. Capt. Stanley W. Bryant became Theodore Roosevelt's fourth Commanding Officer on 27 August 1992.
Third Deployment 11 March 1993
Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 began their third deployment on 11 March 1993, teamed with the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) to test the concept of embarking a multi-purpose Marine force in a carrier. Theodore Roosevelt hosted President Bill Clinton's first visit to a U.S. Navy ship, then sailed to 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 to turn around and 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 underway. Her flight deck logged over 16,000 hours, and CVW-8 flew more sorties than during Operation Desert Storm. For its accomplishments, the ship received its second Meritorious Unit Commendation. In November 1993, Theodore Roosevelt entered Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) for a Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Heading back to sea on 14 April 1994, Theodore Roosevelt became the first nuclear carrier to complete an SRA ahead of schedule at NNSY. Awards for 1993 continued. Theodore Roosevelt received the CINCLANTFLT Golden Anchor Award for the best retention in an Atlantic Fleet carrier. On 10 March 1994, Theodore Roosevelt received its third Battle "E". Then on June 3, Theodore Roosevelt was awarded its second Battenberg Cup as the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet. On 8 July 1994, Capt. Ronald L. Christenson became Theodore Roosevelt's fifth Commanding Officer. TR visited the Caribbean island of St. Maarten for a port call in November 1994 during carrier-qualification exercises.
Fourth Deployment March 1995
Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 began their fourth deployment in March 1995, operating in the Red Sea in support of Operation Southern Watch. TR returned to Norfolk, Virginia from deployment in September. Theodore Roosevelt also provided a "Forward...from the Sea" presence, conducting flight operations in support of 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. During Theodore Roosevelt's transit home, Secretary of the Navy John H. Dalton came aboard and awarded the Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group the Navy Unit Commendation for its Bosnia operations. Ports of call visited during the deployment were Haifa, Israel (twice); Jebel Ali, UAE; Rhodes and Corfu, Greece; and Trieste, Italy. Also during this deployment, King Hussein of Jordan was flown onto the ship via a S-3B Viking aircraft and given a VIP tour of the ship for the day. While TR was anchored in Rhodes, Greece for a port call, Oprah Winfrey, who was vacationing on the island, requested and received a tour of the ship. In 1996, Theodore Roosevelt received its third consecutive Golden Anchor Award and Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet's first Security Excellence Award. CVW-3 joined Theodore Roosevelt in May 1996 prior to her port visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia. On 1 November 1996, Capt. David Architzel became Theodore Roosevelt's sixth Commanding Officer. Theodore Roosevelt deployed for her fifth deployment on 25 November 1996, conducting operations in the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch. 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. In February 1998, Theodore Roosevelt received her fifth Golden Anchor Award while in the shipyard. One year later, Theodore Roosevelt returned to her homeport at the Norfolk Naval Station. Capt. David R. Bryant became Theodore Roosevelt's seventh Commanding Officer on 22 September 1998.
Sixth Deployment 26 March 1999
Theodore Roosevelt began her sixth deployment on 26 March 1999 with CVW-8. They were immediately called to duty in the Ionian Sea to support NATO's Operation Allied Force. Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-8 aircraft conducted air strikes for two months over the skies of Kosovo against the Serbians. TR and CVW-8 were then dispatched to support Operation Southern Watch, enforcing the "no-fly" zone over Southern Iraq. Theodore Roosevelt returned to her homeport of Norfolk, Va., on 24 September 1999. On 7 January 2000, Theodore Roosevelt entered a Planned Incremental Availability at the Norfolk Naval Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Virginia. This six month maintenance period ended on 30 June 2000 when the ship departed on sea trials. Capt. R.J. O'Hanlon became Theodore Roosevelt's eighth Commanding Officer in 2000. Theodore Roosevelt successfully completed her Inter-Deployment Training Cycle in August 2001.
Seventh Deployment on 19 September 2001
Theodore Roosevelt began her seventh deployment on 19 September 2001 with Carrier Air Wing One. After a routine transit of the Atlantic Ocean, Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-1 were called to support Operation Enduring Freedom. Receiving support from around the country, Theodore Roosevelt and CVW-1 led coalition forces in creating a more stable government in Afghanistan and hunting down members of al-Qaeda. After breaking the record longest period underway since WWII, Theodore Roosevelt's crew only hit two ports after 159 consecutive days at sea. Theodore Roosevelt was again awarded the Battenberg Cup, Naval Unit Commendation, and Battle E. Theodore Roosevelt pulled back in on 17 March 2002.
Eighth Deployment on 6th January 2003
Theodore Roosevelt pulled out of NNSY 30 October 2002, after completing a Planned Incremental Availability. Theodore Roosevelt left Naval Station Norfolk on January 6 for a month long training cruise in the Caribbean area. While down there TR received orders to proceed across the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea. TR arrived in February and began preparations to launch attacks on Iraq. On March 16, 2003 Theodore Roosevelt along with the USS Harry S. Truman began launching air strikes into Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ports of call included: Souda Bay, Crete; Koper, Slovenia; and Spain. TR returned home May 26. Shortly after returning the Theodore Roosevelt was again awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Navy Unit Citation, and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. Capt. John 'Turk' Green became Theodore Roosevelt's ninth Commanding Officer in 2003. In February 2004, TR entered a ten-month DPIA (Docked Planned Incremental Availability). 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, to name a few. TR came out of the dry-dock in August and completed its availability in December 2004 with all four catapults operational and certified, a first for a carrier. Capt. John R. Haley became Theodore Roosevelt's tenth Commanding Officer in May of 2005.
Ninth Deployment on 1 September 2005
On September 1, 2005, TR deployed for a routine six-month mission to the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This deployment was notable in that it was the last cruise for the F-14 Tomcat before its scheduled retirement in 2006. The TR carried two Tomcat squadrons, VF-31 (Tomcatters) and VF-213 (Black Lions). This was also the first cruise of a Nimitz Class carrier with the Type II Generic I&C Reactor Plant Control Console. Ports of call included Mallorca (Palma), Spain; Naples, Italy; Dubai, UAE; Marmaris, Turkey; and Corfu, Greece. USS Theodore Roosevelt returned to home port on March 11, 2006. Shortly after this cruise, the TR earned the Ramage award, given to the most battle-worthy carrier in the navy.
Current Status
On 7 March 2007 the Roosevelt began a nine month Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) in Norfolk, which will see the addition of RAM missiles among other upgrades.[1] The ship returned to Norfolk Naval Base on 28 November 2007.
External links
- Official Theodore Roosevelt web site
- An unofficial USS Theodore Roosevelt webpage
- CVN-71 Personnel Roster at HullNumber.com
References
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Nimitz | Dwight D. Eisenhower | Carl Vinson | Theodore Roosevelt |
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Modified Nimitz-class aircraft carrier (Abraham Lincoln-subclass) |
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Modified Nimitz-class aircraft carrier (Ronald Reagan-subclass) |
| List of aircraft carriers of the United States Navy |
