CSG 12 Hosts British Ambassador Aboard TR

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

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 hosted the British Ambassador to the U.S. and four other high-ranking officials aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) (TR) for a day at sea, Sept. 30.

Ambassador Sir Peter Westmacott was joined on the visit by British Consul General David Prodger, British Royal Navy Commodore Richard Allen, Capt. Kevin Seymour and Cmdr. Barrie O'Sullivan.

Rear Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander, CSG 12, escorted the guests from Naval Station Mayport, Florida, to TR via helicopter where they were greeted by Capt. Rhinhart Wilke, CSG 12 chief of staff, Capt. Daniel Grieco, TR's commanding officer, Capt. William Ewald, commander, Carrier Air Wing 1, Capt. Jeff Craig, TR's executive officer and William Smalts, TR's command master chief.

The visit focused on the utility and complexity of carrier operations and logistics that sustain those operations. Tour stops included the flight deck, bridge, joint aeronautical screening unit - a repair parts supply point - and aircraft maintenance facilities.

"What an incredibly complicated living beast an American carrier is," said Allen. "With all the aviation and all the logistics required just to get the airplanes to do their business and the ship to work is really a remarkable achievement."

The visit comes as the United Kingdom continues construction of aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. The two Queen Elizabeth-class carriers are the largest warships ever built for the Royal Navy, according to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defense.

"This has been a very interesting reminder of just how much work we're going to have to do in the [United Kingdom] before we bring into active service the two new 65,000-ton aircraft carriers we are currently building up in Scotland," said Westmacott. "This is a fine example of the excellence of the United States Navy and is a wonderful example of how extraordinarily well this machine works. Lastly, it is a reminder of how closely our two navies work together, and will need to continue to work together, in the years to come."

Prior to the guests' departure, shipboard leadership and distinguished visitors exchanged gifts as a sign of respect, cooperation, and trust. Westmacott expressed his gratitude for TR's warm welcome and hospitality.

"Thank you very much for the extraordinary welcome I and my colleagues from the Royal Navy have received today," said Westmacott. "It was fascinating, we learned a lot. Thank you all for your service and for the very warm welcome the crew of Theodore Roosevelt always extends to British visitors, be they civilians like myself, or members of the Royal Navy who come onboard. I have nothing but highest regard for everybody who serves onboard this magnificent ship."

TR is underway conducting coordinated training with Theodore Roosevelt CSG 12 in preparation for future deployments.