Fleet Forces Commander Visits TR Underway

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John M. Drew, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) - Adm. Phil Davidson, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces (USFF) and FLTCM(AW/SW/IDW) Chuck Clarke, U.S. Fleet Forces Fleet Master Chief, visited the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Feb. 3-4 during the ship's COMPTUEX assessment and certification for their upcoming deployment.

Davidson took to the deck plates, visiting the arresting gear engine room, primary flight control, squadron spaces, the jet engine shop, ordnance spaces and the propulsion plant to thank the Sailors for their hard work and dedication.

"We're asking a lot of TR. She has to deploy to three areas of responsibility on this cruise, while conducting a home-port change on the back end. There's a lot of hard work to be done, but everyone I meet tells me 'they're ready,' and I have a lot of confidence in what they're saying. Stay focused and keep up the good work!" said Davidson.

"He was really nice, and asked questions and listened to our replies, so you could tell he cares about the Sailors," said Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Christopher Gaston, assistant leading petty officer of arresting gear.

During the visit Clarke met with command master chiefs and chiefs from across the strike group, attended a CPO 365 event with first class petty officers and attended a meeting with TR's Coalition of Sailors Against Destructive Decisions (CSADD), where Sailors had the opportunity to ask questions and listen to his take on the program.

"I wish I had this [CSADD] when I was coming up through the Navy," said Clarke. "Keep doing what you are doing. Great things are happening across our Navy because of young Sailors like you."

"What he [Clarke] said about CSADD made me feel good, and it was eye-opening," said Personnel Specialist Seaman Jennifer Dicostanzo, a native of Houston. "He was really proud of us, which is a good feeling, because we put in a lot of hard work and time into something that we believe in. To get it validated by someone of his stature is a pretty big achievement for us."

After visiting multiple spaces throughout the ship, the tour concluded in the jet shop, where Davidson took the time to say a few words.

"Your service to this nation matters," said Davidson. "Every one of you has a critical role in making this all work, so job number one is to be ready. I wish the very best of luck to the entire crew and embarked airwing for a safe and successful deployment, and thank you for what you do."

TR is underway participating in Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group's ability to effectively react to real-world scenarios and perform as an integrated unit.

TRCSG is comprised of Carrier Strike Group 12 staff, USS Theodore Roosevelt(CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2, the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) and the DESRON 2 ships; guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Forest Sherman (DDG 98), and USS Farragut (DDG 99).