ROUGH RIDER USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT (CVN 71)
DISTINGUISHED VISITOR EDITION
February 12, 2017
F O R M E R S E C N AV R E L I V E S G L O RY D AY S LT D an T ests H is S ea Legs
J ohnson & J ohnson TWINNING
S tarwars Episode 71
170210-N-MJ135-217 PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 10, 2017) Former Secretary of the Navy John Lehman watches an EA-18G Growler, assigned to the Vikings of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 129, launch from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Theodore Roosevelt is currently off the coast of Southern California conducting routine training operations. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Spencer Roberts/Released)
Former SECNAV
Revisits Glory Days PHOTOS BY THEODORE ROOSEVELT MEDIA
Former Secretary of the Navy and Ship’s Sponsor Return to the Big Stick STORY BY MCSN RACHAEL TREON PHOTOS BY ROOSEVELT MEDIA TEAM
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“You can’t have effective foreign policy or ormer Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman diplomacy unless it’s backed by real capability,” and his wife Barbara Lehman, the sponsor of the said Lehman. “The Theodore Roosevelt, specifically, aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), embodies peace through strength. It landed aboard Feb. 10 for a two-day visitation with has always been at the top of quality measures in the the ship and her crew. fleet.” The Lehmans were accompanied by family After the completion of CVN 71, Lehman members for an in-depth view at the ship’s upgrades chose his wife Barbara to forever become a part since they were last aboard in 2011, prior to the of the ship’s history by becoming the sponsor and ship’s overhaul. The tour included time with Capt. ceremoniously breaking a bottle of champagne for Craig Clapperton, commanding officer of Theodore the official christening. Roosevelt, an up-close look at day and night flight “The christening infuses the sponsor’s spirit operations, information briefs from embarked and character into the ship,” said Lehman. “I squadrons, launching aircraft from the flight deck chose Barbara because I thought she embodied the “bubble,” a presentation of the ship’s museum and characteristics the Theodore Roosevelt should have. observing operations from the navigation bridge and She’s been a part of the ship ever since.” primary flight control. Barbara Lehman visits the ship every few years “What a tremendous honor it is for the crew and takes full advantage of her time on board by of the Theodore Roosevelt to host two incredibly interacting with the crew and taking a look at their significant figures to the ship’s history,” said everyday lives. Clapperton. “Every mission our ship has ever “It’s an honor to be onboard and see the Theodore accomplished began when the Lehman family Roosevelt pride has carried on through the years,” helped bring this ship to life. It is our namesake, his said Barbara Lehman. “I’ve always had the sense legacy, and our ship’s history that makes being a people are very excited to be on this particular ship Rough Rider unique. This crew is part of that great with the tradition of the Theodore Roosevelt and I history and defines what it means to be a Rough still feel like that’s true today.” Rider.” From concept, construction and christening to Lehman served as Secretary of the Navy from bolstering the spirits of the Sailors aboard today, the 1981-1987 and fought to strengthen and grow the Lehmans remain a valued part of the USS Theodore U.S. Navy. During his first year in office, Lehman Roosevelt legacy. announced the newest aircraft carrier would be named Theodore Roosevelt is currently off the coast after the 26th president and his personal role model, of Southern California conducting routine training Theodore Roosevelt. operations.
STORY BY MC1 R. DAVID VALDEZ
For the first time since 2012, the Star Warriors of
The missions for the Star Warriors have also been largely expeditionary. Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 209 are conducting “We’ve been expeditionary since Kosovo,” Lockard carrier qualifications aboard the aircraft carrier USS said. “We’ve been part of Operation Northern Watch, Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). and we’ve done four pumps (deployments) to Bagram.” “Last night, we did our first night trap since 1997,” While the expeditionary support is part of executing said Lt. Casey Hilgenfeld, the material maintenance the nation’s business, the interests of the Sailors of control officer for VAQ 209. VAQ 209 is what provided the inspiration needed to Cmdr. Jim Lockard, commanding officer of VAQ take advantage of the opportunity to return to working 209, explained that the last time one of their aircraft aboard a ship after five years. landed aboard an aircraft carrier, the squadron was “We’ve got a lot of firsts through this underway flying the E/A-6B Prowler, which was a completely period,” Lockard said. “We’ve done our first air-to-air different aircraft than today’s E/A-18G Growler, a missile shoot, our first carrier qualifications, and our variant of the F/A-18E-F Super Hornet equipped with first night traps in a long time. The last time we did a an electronic attack suite. night trap, I was still in college.” The Star Warriors came to the Big Stick because This opportunity is not lost on the maintainers and Electronic Attack Squadron 129 (VAQ 129) had ground support of the Star Warriors. multiple detachments out at the same time. This “With FTS Sailors, some of our people can become made room for additional aircraft and a need for extra First or Second Class Petty Officers, and never set foot maintainers, which VAQ 209 was eager to fill. on a ship,” said Cmdr. Mike Llenza, executive officer “This was an opportunity to get four or five of VAQ 209. “It was great to see some of our people of their air crew qualified,” said Capt. Trevor get their sea legs for the first time. I had a Logistics Estes, commanding officer of VAQ 129, the Fleet Specialist tell me she wanted to cross-rate because she Replacement squadron on board for this underway. had the chance to work on the flight deck for the first “This gives them (Star Warriors) an ability to augment time, and I saw her pick up a plane captain manual, so Fleet squadrons.” she could work on that qualification.” The Star Warriors are unique in that even though Prior to their move to Naval Air Station Whidbey they are part of the Reserve Component of the Navy, Island, Wash., VAQ 209 was operating out of Andrews they operate in a Full Time Support (FTS) capacity. Air Force Base in Washington D.C. That location, plus “A lot of people, even in the Navy, wonder how their primarily expeditionary role for the past couple a Reserve squadron works,” said Hilgenfeld. “They of decades, made maintaining aircraft on an aircraft want to know if we’re only available for one weekend carrier an alien experience. a month, but we operate every day, just like an Active “When you work with the same aircraft all the Component squadron. We just have some people who time, you start to develop a certain kind of tribal come in once a month along with the people who are knowledge,” Hilgenfeld said. “Our maintainers don’t here full time.” have that all the time because at one duty station, they
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D arth Vader is flying from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS
Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). The Star Warriors have a letter from George Lucas which grants them permission to use of Darth Vader for their squadron’s mascot. can be working on CH-53s (heavy lift helicopters), then they can go to Saint Adversary (Fighter Composite Squadron 13, which operates out of NAS Fallon, Nev.) and work on F-5s. When they come to us, they may never have worked on a Growler or Super Hornet, so they walk in the door, knowing nothing about the platform, and 18 months later, they’re LPOs (lead petty officers) of their shops. Yes, they default to the book, and sometimes that means slowing things down a little, but at least I know they’re doing quality work safely.” Lockard also talked about operational safety. “The Navy makes you grow up real fast,” he said. “The last thing I want to have happen is one of my people having to learn a safety lesson the hard way.” Overall, the Star Warriors’ leadership is confident this round of carrier qualifications is a great success. “I can’t say enough about Capt. Clapperton (commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt), Capt. Estes, the TR team and VAQ 129,” Lockard said. “They treated us like we were a regular squadron, gave us our space, and we’ve been able to run with it. Naval aviation is a team sport, and I’m proud of how my Sailors have done.” According to Hilgenfeld, the squadron went from zero to on deck in six weeks with maintainers working through the holidays to make sure they were ready to
come to Theodore Roosevelt. “Our guys are great,” said Llenza. “Our SELRES (Selected Reserve) air crew and LSOs (Landing Signal Officers) had some challenges with getting out here, balancing civilian jobs with the requirements for coming out here, but they are always finding a way to work around those challenges.” Lockard, Llenza, and Hilgenfeld are all excited about the future for VAQ 209 and are eager to translate this experience into a regular training opportunity for the squadron. “This evolution is helping us with standardizing shipboard operations as a part of our training continuum,” said Lockard. “It’s a great way to help build a POA&M (plan of action and milestones) for the next time as well. Shipboard operations are part of our ROC/POE (Required Operational Capabilities/ Projected Operational Environment), and now we can be an even better asset to the Fleet.” Theodore Roosevelt is currently underway conducting exercises in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment.
JO H N S O N a Family Carrier S
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ailors passing by for the first time looked perplexed. Their eyes quizzically darted between the pair. They asked the all too familiar question; “Are you two twins?” Every physical detail between them appeared to be mirrored. “Johnson” They both rang out at the same time. Every answer was mimicked with an echo. Seaman Kasey Johnson and Seaman Kelley Johnson are identical twin sisters assigned to the deck department of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Before enlisting in the Navy, the 19-year-old twins wanted a few years of work experience. Since birth they were rarely apart, so they wanted to find a job that would allow them to work the same shift together. They worked together as lifeguards at a casino in their hometown of Las Vegas. Navy regulations prevent siblings from being stationed together, but Kasey and Kelley were determined to find a way. “ We h a d t o s i g n a s p e c i a l r e q u e s t c h i t , ” s a i d K a s e y. “ We w e r e n ’t a l l o w e d t o c h o o s e a r a t e i f w e w a n t e d t o b e s t a t i o n e d t o g e t h e r. ” They reported aboard Theodore Roosevelt in December 2016. Although they were in the same department, they were assigned t o d i ff e r e n t d i v i s i o n s . D e c k d e p a r t m e n t ’s
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JO H N S O N STORY BY MC3 JIMMI LEE BRUNER
leadership decided that they would benefit f r o m w o r k i n g w i t h o t h e r S a i l o r s , s a i d K e l l e y. “The first time people see us together they are either confused, excited or scared,” said Kelley. “Some people tell us to go away, jokingly. They say we remind them of the twins from ‘The Shining.’” Despite being in different divisions, they still take advantage of opportunities to work together and motivate each other. “[Being together] is good for their work effort,” said Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Ryan Myers. “People that grow up together tend to work together better and often strive to help each other out.” Kasey and Kelley aren’t the only service members in the Johnson family. Their brother Lance Cpl. Kyle Johnson, is a U.S. Marine and their sister, Operations Specialist 2nd Class Kori Johnson, is currently deployed aboard the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Their plan for the future is to try and strike the same rate, said Kelley. If they are able, they want to follow each other to future commands. “We’ll always appreciate the unique opportunity to be stationed together,” said Kasey. “Even if our careers lead us down separate paths, our time together on the TR will always be cherished.”
Sunday, February 12th Movie Schedule Ch. 121
Ch. 122
Ch. 123
0900/2100
The Infiltrator
Terminator: Genisys
The Russians Are Coming
1110/2310
Cool Hand Luke
The Host
1320/0120
The Drop
Rio 2
Rocky III
1515/0315
Scouts guide to the zombie apocalypse
My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2
Hot Tub Time Machine 2
Titanic
Gandhi
1710/0515 The Green Mile
Sailors From ACU 5 Embark Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt Story by MCSN Bill M. Sanders The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) returned to sea Jan. 30, with two Sailors from Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5 experiencing underway operations for the first time. Electronics Technician Seamen Chloe Kostal and Preston Smith reported aboard the Big Stick to get familiar with working in their rating while at sea. “So far I am really enjoying it,” said Smith. “It’s a great opportunity to see how ETs operate on ship.” Kostal commented on the difference between working at a sea command and a shore command. “It’s a different atmosphere,” said Kostal. “At a shore command, it’s more relaxed, here it’s more of a ‘we’ve got to get this done, then this, and this, and this done as well.” They participated in shipboard evolutions like man overboard and general quarters drills, as well as observing UHF (Ultra High Frequency) evolutions. Likewise, the pair conducted a great deal of maintenance around the ship. “I was a little worried about what work we would really be able to do,” said Smith. “I was worried I was going to be just a body in a room that
The Family Man
isn’t able to do much, but we have actually been able to help out a lot. As guests of the TR, both Kostal and Smith were able to do things outside of the normal ET routine, such as taking a turn as the ship’s helmsman. “I’m from a place where in your home town, one of your biggest goals is driving a vehicle bigger than your buddy’s,” Smith said. “Now nobody is going to be able to top what I’ve driven.” Kostal was very impressed with the way people conducted themselves on the bridge. “I felt really nervous right away because I was driving an insanely massive warship, especially with all those officers up there,” she said. “It’s so– sophisticated isn’t the right word, but– professional.” When the pair returns to their command, they will have new knowledge and a few stories to bring back. “It has certainly been a good experience,” Kostal said. “We received training here that we couldn’t get back at our command, so it’s been a great thing for us to come here.” “Honestly the first thing I would like to do when I see Master Chief is to tell him ‘Thanks,” added Smith. “It has been really great, we have been very useful, and we feel like we fit in pretty well.” Theodore Roosevelt is currently off the coast of Southern California conducting routine training operations.
STAFF COMMANDING OFFICER Capt. Craig Clapperton EXECUTIVE OFFICER Capt. Fred Goldhammer PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER Lt. Cmdr. Beth Teach MEDIA OFFICER Lt. Michael Hathaway SENIOR EDITOR MCC Jennifer Roy EDITOR MC2 Paul Archer MC2 Chad Trudeau MC3 Alex Perlman ROUGH RIDER CONTRIBUTERS MC1 R. David Valdez MC3 Victoria Galbraith MC3 Spencer Roberts CS3 Jimmy Bruner MCSN Rachael Treon MCSN Alex Corona MCSN Bill Sanders COMMAND OMBUDSMAN
cvn71ombudsman@gmail.com
NAME: ABHAN Malcolm Farmer HOMETOWN: Baltimore, MD Favorite Thing About the Navy: “Getting to be on a super duper big boat for the first time in my whole life.”
Message to the crew: “Power never takes a a step back–only in the face of more power.”
Favorite Food: Calzones Favorite Movie: Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World
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 Rough Rider must be submitted to the editor no later than three days prior to publication. Do you have a story you’d like to see in the Rough Rider? Contact the Media Department at J-Dial 5940 or stop by 3-180-0-Q. CHECK US OUT ONLINE about.me/ussTheodoreRoosevelt @TheRealCVN71 TR