25oct13

ROUGH RIDER USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71)

Underway

October 25, 2013 • DAILY

Happy Birthday TR

27

Celebrating

years

inside:

Navigating An UNREP

Navigating

An UNREP

Story by MCSN Stephane Belcher Photo by MC2 (SW) Sean Hurt

U

SS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) steamed through the Atlantic Ocean early on the windy morning of Oct. 24. Sailors coolly manned the bridge’s watchstations as Theodore Roosevelt pulled alongside the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) at a slow, but steady speed. The underway replenishment (UNREP) began after the two ships reached a mutual pace.

It takes precision and exact navigation for two vessels to stay 180 to 210 feet alongside each other for hours at a time while transferring fuel and supplies.

“We’re supposed to be more than 140 feet from the other ship in order for us not to crash. It takes a lot of precision,” said Quartermaster 1st Class Efrain Torres from Navigation department. “The master helms can only steer .5 degrees left or right unless it’s directed by the commanding officer.”

Quartermaster 3rd Class Vincent Gary understands, firsthand, how difficult resupplying at sea can be. In 2012, on the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Gray was tasked to take over as master helmsman while the ship was undergoing a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) in rough seas.

“The ship had no food,” said Gary. “We had nothing. We were coming back from deployment.”

The carrier was on the last leg of its 25th and final deployment and was forced to navigate through the remnants of hurricane Sandy while it was on its way home from an eight-month cruise.

“It was a crazy experience,” said Gary. “You’re telling the ship to do one thing, but it’s not. The wind and current pull the ship where it wants. The wind was blowing from 30 to 40 knots, but it had to be done.”

Theodore Roosevelt goes to sea with about 6,000 Sailors, who require a substantial amount of supplies. UNREPs enable the ship and crew to continue operations and training without having to pull back into port. During this UNREP, Theodore Roosevelt received 48 pallets of supplies and 400,000 gallons of JP-5 jet fuel.

Quartermasters stand several watchstations to ensure Theodore Roosevelt can safely complete an UNREP. “We use a laser rangefinder that pinpoints how far the other ship is from us,” said Torres. “It’s like binoculars, it sends a laser that hits the other ship and tells us how far away it is. Then the laser rangefinder reports it back to the conning officer and the officer of the deck in the pilot house.”

A quartermaster is also responsible for accurately updating the ship’s course so leadership can monitor the situation.

“The status board operator updates the status when the course or speed changes on the display screen,” said Quartermaster 2nd Class Katie Sluder from Navigation department. “The commanding officer, executive officer, navigator and conning officer watch the board. It allows them to track the course.”

Quartermasters aboard Theodore Roosevelt take their job seriously because of their intricate role in evolutions like UNREP and the vast responsibility that their job entails.

“This is what we do,” said Torres. “It is our life. We ensure that everyone aboard the ship is safe when we’re out here.”

Theodore Roosevelt is underway conducting carrier qualifications.

YOURNAVY IN THE NEWS CNO Visits CVN 77

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Dusty Good, George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Jonathan Greenert, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Mike Stevens visited the crew of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to provide Sailors on board an opportunity to speak directly with the Navy’s most senior leadership, Oct. 23.

Among the topics discussed during the all-hands call were naval innovation, sexual assault and the government shutdown. Greenert opened the ceremony by administering the oath of enlistment to Sailors assigned to the ship.

“I was just really happy my family could be here,” said Aviation Ordanceman 1st Class Lamar Gaymon. “Not many people get the chance to be reenlisted by the CNO, but I did and my family got to see it.

Greenert took time to meet with the families of Sailors who re-enlisted and take photos before continuing on with the all hands call. He began by talking about the impact of the Bush’s involvement with the X-47B and the future of carrier readiness.

“The fact of the matter is that industry has determined that this ship with that aircraft (X-47B) was the evolution of the year,” said Greenert.

“The launch and recovery of an unmanned aerial vehicle from an aircraft carrier, I was here when that happened and you were here and I congratulate you for that.”

Greenert went on to explain how the government shutdown has left work to be done.

“MCPON and I are anxious to get out and connect again,” Greenert said. “That’s why I’m here; to listen and learn from you all. The government shutdown is over, but we’ve got a lot of work to do. We cannot just snap our fingers and catch back up.”

Greenert also addressed the ships upcoming deployment.

“This particular ship and this particular strike group have a long deployment coming up,” Greenert said. “ When we stopped doing two carriers in the gulf and we went down to one, we reduced training and shipyard work, which means Vinson’s deployment was longer, your deployment will be longer and the Reagan’s deployment will be longer.

By this time next fiscal year we will be back to seven and a half month deployments.”

USS Harry S. Truman Assists Mariner From Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group Public Affairs The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) provided assistance to a Marshall Islands-flagged merchant vessel, C Elephant, in the Gulf of Oman after receiving word of a mariner in distress from U.S. Naval Forces Central Command at approximately 4:30 p.m., Oct. 6.

The vessel was operating approximately 130 miles from Harry S. Truman when the aircraft carrier was informed of the request for medical assistance.

A helicopter assigned to the Dusty Dogs of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 launched from Harry S. Truman at approximately 6:39 p.m. with a medical team to assist in evacuating the mariner.

“The crew performed exceptionally well,” said Cmdr. Brian Knowles, commanding officer of HSC-7. “This was an extremely challenging litter hoist under low light conditions off a civilian-flagged oil tanker. The teamwork between the air and medical departments was outstanding.”

After a brief stop to Harry S. Truman for fuel, an additional medical assessment and medical supplies, the helicopter continued to Oman where the mariner was met by an ambulance and taken to a hospital for

further treatment.

“We welcome the opportunity to provide assistance when needed,” said Capt. Bob Roth, Harry S. Truman’s commanding officer. “My hat is off to the crew of Dusty 612. We were able to monitor their flight closely and the video of their rescue shows the great skill of their pilots and bravery of the rescue crew, it was an impressive display of flying.”

Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney, commander, Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, cited the event as an example of how teamwork is important in the maritime environment.

“Teamwork is the key to everything we do out here,” he said. “I’m very proud of the cooperation between Truman and Carrier Air Wing 3 every day, but especially in situations like this one where we can help someone who was clearly in need of immediate assistance.”

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

photos of the day

Theodore Roosevelt the conservationist

(1) OS3 Richard Rawls stands watch on the bridge during an underway replenishment. (Photo by MC3 Katie Lash) (2) BMSN Joselyn Sagastume establishes communications with the supply ship USNS Big Horn during an underway replenishment. (Photo

by MC3 Eric Norcross) (3) ABF3 Emmanuel Torres-Reyes opens a fuel valve. (Photo by MC3 Eric Norcross) (4) Sailors shoot line across to the supply ship USNS Big Horn. (Photo by MCSN John M. Drew) (5) AOAN Christopher McNeil performs maintenance on an elevator door. (Photo by MCSN Anthony Hilkowski)

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Theodore Roosevelt was not only a conservationist, but also helped establish what Americans know today as the national park system.

Staff Commanding Officer Capt. Daniel Grieco Executive Officer Capt. Mark Colombo Public Affairs Officer Lt. Cmdr. Patrick Evans Media Officer Ensign Jack Georges Senior Editor MCC Gino Carr Editor & Layout MC3 (SW) Heath Zeigler Rough Rider Contributors Theodore Roosevelt Media MC2 (SW) Sean Hurt MC3 Katie Lash MCSN Stephane Belcher MCSN John M. Drew MCSN Andrew Hilkowski MCSN Eric Norcross Command Ombudsman April Kumley cvn71ombudsman@yahoo.com

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“Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches or its romance.”

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-Theodore Roosevelt, 1903

The Rough Rider is an authorized publication for the crew of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71).

Contents herein are not necessarily the views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. government, Department of Defense, Department of the Navy or the Commanding Officer of TR. All items for publication in the The Rough Rider must be submitted to the editor no later than three days prior to publication.

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*

Times

Ch. 66

Friday

October 25

Ch. 67

Ch. 68

0900

THE IMPOSSIBLE

TURBO

CHERNOBYL DIARIES

1100

THE WOLVERINE

LIFE OF PI

ALIENS

1330

GI JOE: RETALIATION

AMERICAN REUNION

GHOST RIDER

1530

BOURNE ULTIMATUM

ROCK OF AGES

PACIFIC RIM

1830

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD

MEET THE FOCKERS

POLTERGEIST

2030

THE IMPOSSIBLE

TURBO

CHERONBYL DIARIES

2230

THE WOLVERINE

LIFE OF PI

ALIENS

0100

GI JOE: RETALIATION

AMERICAN REUNION

GHOST RIDER

0300

BOURNE ULTIMATUM

ROCK OF AGES

PACIFIC RIM

0600

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD

MEET THE FOCKERS

POLTERGEIST

*Movie schedule is subject to change.