Carter Visits USS Roosevelt in South China Sea

By Lisa Ferdinando DoD News Features, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, November 5, 2015 — Defense Secretary Ash Carter today toured the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the South China Sea and expressed concern about China's activities in those waters.

Carter said the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier’s presence is a "symbol and a sign of the critical role the United States' military power plays in what is a very consequential region for the American future."

The defense secretary also commented on regional tensions resulting from disputes over land features in the South China Sea. Several Asia-Pacific countries, including China, are involved in those disputes.

"There is a lot of concern about Chinese behavior out here," he said.

Those concerns, Carter said, were discussed yesterday at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers’ Meeting - Plus in Malaysia’s capital city, Kuala Lumpur.

"Many countries in the region are coming to the United States and asking us to do more with them so that we can keep the peace out here," he said.

Asia-Pacific Partners

Carter toured the aircraft carrier with Malaysian Defense Minister Hishammuddin Hussein. Visiting the ship with his Malaysian counterpart, Carter said, indicates the demand for American presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Stability in the Asia-Pacific region is important to the United States economically, Carter said, noting that half of the world's commerce comes from or passes through that part of the world.

The U.S. military's rebalance to the Asia-Pacific region is intended to maintain and further promote peace and prosperity in the region, according to Carter.

The USS Roosevelt, with about 3,000 crew members, is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations as part of a worldwide deployment en route to its new homeport in San Diego. The move is part of a three-carrier homeport shift.

Carter, who is on an eight-day trip focusing on the Asia-Pacific rebalance, will travel on to Hawaii, then California, before returning to the Pentagon.

TR Carrier Strike Group Wraps Up Operations in 5th Fleet

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jennifer Case, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) departed the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet area of operations Oct. 13, after more than six months in the region.

While in theater, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), along with the rest of the strike group, supported Operation Inherent Resolve, the effort to degrade and ultimately defeat the ISIL terrorist group and the threat it poses to Iraq, Syria and the wider international community, along with maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.

"I am incredibly proud of this team, and every day I am amazed at what they accomplished," said Capt. Craig Clapperton, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt.

The strike group is made up of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 with the destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Forrest Sherman (DDG 98) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81); and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60). Theodore Roosevelt deployed from Naval Station Norfolk March 11 and entered the 5th fleet area of operations April 7.

The TRCSG carried out 1,812 combat sorties totaling 10,618 combat flight hours, taking on 14.5 million gallons of jet fuel and expending 1,085 precision-guided munitions. The carrier has traveled more than 250,000 nautical miles since leaving on deployment.

DESRON-2 planned and executed multiple high-profile missions, to include countering lethal aid shipments off the coast of Yemen and the Strait of Bab al Mandeb. Additionally, DESRON-2 ships assisted in maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to include accompanying U.S. and other nation's merchant vessels for a limited time.

While in 5th Fleet, Rear Adm. Roy J. Kelley relieved Rear Adm. Andrew Lewis as commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12, and Theodore Roosevelt also held a change-of-command ceremony when Clapperton relieved Capt. Daniel Grieco as commanding officer. Theodore Roosevelt also made three port calls to Bahrain and two port calls to Dubai.

"It's been an experience," said Air Traffic Controller 2nd Class Jennifer Dove. "We have done a lot of good things since we have been out here, but I am ready to go home. I believe we were successful in accomplishing our mission, and Capt. Clapperton says we have done what we came here to do."

"The entire Big Stick and Carrier Air Wing 1 team did a phenomenal job throughout this deployment. They exceeded every expectation, but I think the most impressive accomplishments were their lethality and effectiveness in combat operations and their impressive ability to operate at the very edge of human performance in a brutal environment with such precision day in and day out," said Clapperton.

With the 5th Fleet area of operations behind them, Theodore Roosevelt enters the 7th Fleet, where the ship will participate in exercise Malabar and maritime security operations in support of peace and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region. This final leg of its deployment will see the ship transit to San Diego to complete a homeport change from Norfolk, Virginia.

USS Constitution Sailors Depart for New York Fleet Week

By Seaman Michael Achterling, USS Constitution Public Affairs

CHARLESTOWN, Mass. (NNS) -- Sailors assigned to USS Constitution will be participating in New York Fleet Week, May 23-25.

Fleet Week New York 2012 is an annual event that provides an opportunity for the citizens of New York City and the surrounding Tri-State area to meet Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen, as well as witness firsthand the latest capabilities of today's Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard and is being held May 23-30.

"New York City Fleet Week is one of the 1812 Bicentennial Commemoration signature events," said Cmdr. Matt Bonner, Constitution's 72nd commanding officer. "It is a wonderful opportunity to share Constitution's rich history and her mission today with Fleet Week's large audience and especially have the public meet the Sailors that make up her crew."

Constitution Sailors are expected to serve as the color guard detail for national recording artist Katy Perry, who will be performing a private concert to Fleet Week personnel. They'll also be giving interactive historical presentations of Constitution's history to the Boys & Girls Club of Harlem, Brooklyn, and Paramus High School in Paramus, N.J.

National media will focus on Constitution Sailors with appearances on "The View" and NBC's "Today Show."

"New York City Fleet Week is an impressive tradition, going back since 1984, that honors the Navy and Marine Corps," said Sonar Technician Submarine 1st Class (SS) Mark Comeiro of Constitution. "It's important for Constitution to participate this year due to the bicentennial of the War of 1812 celebration happening throughout the country. Our ship was a major naval presence then and Sailors carry on her legacy today, because in reality, the mission of today's Navy hasn't changed much from the past."

Navy ships participating in New York Fleet week are: USS Wasp (LHD 1), USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Donald Cook (DDG 75), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66). USCGC Eagle (WIX 327), along with coalition ships, and many other tall ships from around the world will also be in attendance.

Many of the ships in attendance will be open for public visitation May 23-30, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned warship afloat and welcomes more than 500,000 visitors per year. She defended the sea lanes against threat from 1797 to 1855, much like the mission of today's Navy. America's Navy: Keeping the sea free for more than 200 years.

Constitution's mission today is to offer community outreach and education about the ship's history. Currently, her crew is planning to commemorate bicentennial of the War of 1812 through public demonstrations and educational activities at eight Navy weeks across the U.S. in 2012.