ROUGH RIDER USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71)
AUGUST 29, 2013 • DAILY
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SS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) returns to Naval Station Norfolk after completing initial sea trials following a four-year shipyard period in Newport News, Va. This marks the first time Theodore Roosevelt has called Norfolk home in over four
years. “I can’t wait to get back to Norfolk and back to the fleet,” Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Bruce Manley. “I’m very excited to get back to Norfolk to continue doing the job that I enlisted in the Navy for.” During sea trials, Theodore Roosevelt conducted a series of tests to ensure the ship is well equipped and ready to return to the operational fleet. The main objectives of the tests were to make sure all the equipment and systems worked properly after the comprehensive shipyard period. Some of the systems tested include the Precision Aircraft Landing System (PALS) and the Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) firefighting system. The crew also performed high-speed navigational maneuvering exercises and a counter-measure wash down The PALS test ensure that the SPN 46 Radar, or better known, as “easy rider”, is working properly. During the test the easy rider picked up and locked onto aircraft while the ship was underway, though the aircraft didn’t land. Damage Control Division tested the AFFF sprinkler systems in the hangar bays and flight deck. The system is used to fight large-scale fires that are usually caused by flammable liquids. “The counter measure wash down is mainly used to protect the ship and crew from chemical, biological and radiological attacks,” said Chief Damage Controlman Connor Flaherty. “Testing this system can put quite a bit of strain on the entire fire system of the ship. But everything passed and everything is working as well as we could expect it to.” High-speed maneuvers pushed Theodore Roosevelt to the limit. These maneuvers took the ship to speeds over 30 knots and included drastic sharp turns. This test challenged the crew to ensure that everything was properly stowed for sea because of the nearly 30-degree rolls the ship experienced. “After being in the yards for over four-years, we had to see how the ships shafts and engine handled the speed of the maneuvers and emergency stop,” said Quartermaster 1st Class Jacob Snider. “To see a ship this large and weighing 90,000 tons respond to maneuvering and navigating this quick was impressive, especially for doing about 30 knots. Seeing that the ship does work brightens my day and makes me proud to serve in the military and do my job.” The entire crew worked feverishly for four days to ensure an auspicious start to Theodore Roosevelt’s return to the fleet. “We are ecstatic that everything went well,” said Flaherty. “We are very excited to see that all of our work has come full-circle.” Although there is quite a bit of work left to do, the tests performed over the last four days ensure that Theodore Roosevelt is now indeed a ready for tasking aircraft carrier.
Theodore
cvn71 REJOINS FLEET BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEDIA DEPARTMENT
Roosevelt
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