Fort Lauderdale Native Serves Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt

AU.S. Navy Aviation Support Equipment

Technician 3rd Class Juan Tolosa, from Fort Lauderdale, removes a screw on a diesel hydraulic power supply in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), on April 17, 2023.

After undergoing 18 months of repairs at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton, Washington, the Theodore Roosevelt recently returned to its home port in San Diego, California, with over 2,700 sailors, constituting the majority of the carrier's assigned force.

According to USS Theodore Roosevelt spokesperson Ben Anderson, the ship conducted "at-sea certifications of upgraded and replaced systems" en route to San Diego, and is currently docked at Naval Air Station North Island to complete maintenance and training and certifications for future missions.

While the Navy doesn’t reveal details regarding any aircraft carrier's upcoming operations, Anderson said the Roosevelt will conduct a deployment in 2024.

Given heightening tensions between the United States and China, Juan will likely join his shipmates to protect the United State’s national interests in the western Pacific Ocean.

The mission of US aircraft carriers is to project power and presence and to support US military operations around the world. These massive warships serve as mobile airbases, capable of carrying and launching a wide variety of aircraft, including fighters, bombers, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Aircraft carriers allow the US to respond rapidly to crises and conflicts, as they can be quickly deployed to any region of the world. They are also used to provide air support for ground troops during military operations, as well as to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

In addition to their military missions, aircraft carriers also serve as symbols of US power and prestige, demonstrating America's ability to project force and protect its interests around the globe.

“Fair winds and following seas, Juan!”