USS Theodore Roosevelt Hosts International Helicopter Exchange

June 29, 2026 | By Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet |

The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt hosted more than 45 international partners from eight countries during an international helicopter warfighter exchange at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, June 27, 2029, as part of Exercise Rim of the Pacific.

During the visit, military pilots from the U.S., South Korea, Italy, Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Canada and Mexico compared procedures, discussed aviation challenges and strengthened relationships. The event was designed to build trust, improve communication and support cooperation among the different countries.

"We're privileged to host the international helicopter exchange aboard the Theodore Roosevelt," said U.S. Navy Cmdr. Andrew Poulin, USS Theodore Roosevelt strike operations officer. "It's a great opportunity to showcase naval aviation and work with our partners from different countries."

Sailors assigned to the Roosevelt highlighted flight deck procedures, launch and recovery operations and the coordination required to operate aircraft safely, while visiting sailors observed how U.S. embarked aviation units work in unison.

"It's been a great experience for helicopter pilots to exchange ideas, share flight experiences, learn about different cultures and get to know more people," said Peruvian Navy Cmdr. Antonio Gonzáles.

During the exchange, visiting sailors were taken to the hangar bay, flight deck and navigation spaces. The locations on the tour route all play a role in flight operations aboard the Theodore Roosevelt.

"We're grateful for the opportunity to participate in exercises like this, which allow us to improve our tactical skills and build relationships with other navies," said Mexican Navy Lt. j.g. Francisco Valencia.

The Roosevelt is participating in Rimpac to enhance readiness, strengthen partnerships and support regional security across the Indo-Pacific region. Thirty nations, over 30 surface ships, five submarines, 15 national land forces, more than 206 aircraft and 30,000 personnel are participating in the exercise taking place in and around the Hawaiian Islands from June 24-July 31.

The world's largest international maritime exercise, Rimpac provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans. This year's exercise is the 30th iteration in the series that began in 1971.

Carter Praises USS Theodore Roosevelt’s Crew Members

By Terri Moon Cronk DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, November 6, 2015 — U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter praised the USS Theodore Roosevelt and its 3,000-member crew during a troop talk while aboard the Navy aircraft carrier in the South China Sea yesterday.

Carter also provided an update on the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The defense secretary is on an eight-day trip in the Asia-Pacific region to get a personal view of the U.S. military’s rebalance efforts.

“ISIL is an evil thing and it will be defeated, because we are the good and they are the evil,” Carter said. “We're the many and they are the few. I don't have any doubt that we are going to beat ISIL.”

Defeating ISIL

Achieving victory over ISIL will take time, Carter said.

He added, “If it were just a matter of us beating them, it would be over quickly. ... As we learned in Iraq and Afghanistan, [the point] isn't just getting them beaten; it's keeping them beaten [to] have this victory stick.”

ISIL and Iran each present challenges to U.S. security interests in the Middle East, Carter said.

Turning to the Asia-Pacific, Carter said the U.S. military has helped to maintain peace and stability in the region for 70 years. The USS Theodore Roosevelt and its crew greatly contribute to that endeavor, he added.

Secretary Salutes USS Theodore Roosevelt’s Crew

Carter told the crew members to tell their families of his and the nation’s pride in them.

The USS Theodore Roosevelt’s crew members “do the noblest thing a person can do, which is to be part of securing our country and allowing all other Americans to live in peace, live their lives, and dream their dreams,” he said.

Carter also told the crew they should also let their families know that their service aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt is at “the hinge of everything happening in the strategic history in this era through this cruise. You have seen it all; you have been part of it all.”

Married Couple Pins Each Other as Chief Petty Officers

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Austin Rooney, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- Chief Operations Specialist (SW/AW) Priscilla Jones and Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) Mark Jones, who have been married for eight years, pinned anchors on each other during two separate chief pinning ceremonies at the Waterside Marriott Hotel in Norfolk and Naval Station Norfolk, Sept. 14.

Priscilla, stationed aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), and Mark, stationed at Naval Station Norfolk Security, said they both shared the goal of being promoted to chief petty officer for years, but seeing both of their names on the list of selectees at the same time shocked them.

"I really didn't expect I'd make chief this time up," said Priscilla. "I thought my husband would make it, but not both of us."

Mark disagreed, saying he always thought his wife would get the promotion before he did. Upon realizing that they both made it together, he said he felt blessed.

"I'm so glad she was able to pin me, and I was able to do the same for her," said Mark. "She's been with me through most of my career, and we've made a lot of sacrifices to be together. So, this is like a reward for both of us."

Ever since the two met aboard USS Tortuga (LSD 26) in 1999, they knew that they would have to make sacrifices beyond what a normal couple would make as a result of being dual-military. For much of their relationship, Mark would be at sea and Priscilla at shore, and vice versa. Still, the two were able to maintain their commitment to the Navy and each other successfully.

"It's really important to leave work at work," said Priscilla. "Spending time at home should be relaxing. If you can keep those two separate, then it makes the relationship a lot easier."

When they found out that they had been selected, both Priscilla and Mark knew they would be spending the next few weeks apart, since they would be attending different induction activities in different places. After five weeks of waking up at three in the morning and coming home at nine in the evening, the couple said being able to attend each other's pinning ceremonies made the entire process worth it.

"I think we were really lucky, and we both deserved it," said Priscilla. "Words can't even describe how good it felt. It was the best experience in the world."

Now that the couple are both chiefs, they have new goals lined up for their future careers in the Navy. Mark said he plans on transitioning to the wardroom next, while Priscilla said she has her eyes set on making senior chief.

Since Priscilla's ceremony at the Waterside Marriott in Norfolk happened two hours earlier than her husband's in building C-9 on Naval Station Norfolk, she jokingly insists that she made chief before he did.

"I already made chief before Mark did," said Priscilla, laughing. "I think I'll get my senior chief star before he does too."

Family Matters Blog: Sailor Transitions to Sonar After Navy

By Lisa Daniel

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – When First Lady Michelle Obama and her "Joining Forces’" partners talk about service members needing transitioning into commercial work, they’re talking about people like Paul Michael Andrews.

Andrews joined the military young and without a college degree. The Navy sent him to school to be a sonar technician, and he spent most of his six-year military career operating the world’s most sophisticated equipment to detect and track foreign submarines from the USS Roosevelt guided missile destroyer.

Andrews had two deployments: one to Somalia, and another to eastern Afghanistan to serve nine months working intelligence for a provincial reconstruction team.

The former petty officer knew he’d had “some awesome experiences” in the Navy, but when he decided to separate, he said, the thought of a civilian job search was filled with anxiety. Like many of his shipmates, he had never written a resume and didn’t know where to begin.

“We don’t spend time tweaking our resumes and building our professional networks,” he said. “Our network consists of the men and women we serve next to.

“I knew that I had the skills to be successful,” Andrews added. “But I also knew that I couldn’t say that my strengths were finding foreign submarines in the ocean or tracking down the Taliban in Afghanistan. I didn’t think American businesses were looking for those skills, and I couldn’t imagine a job outside the military that would require those skills.”

That’s where Joining Forces and one of its partners, Orion International, came in. Andrews attended a job fair sponsored by the two and quickly garnered Orion’s help for making the transition.

“They clearly got it,” he said of the company’s ability to translate his military experience into a civilian resume. “What they helped me understand is that American businesses do value those skills.”

After some coaching, Orion helped Andrews gain an interview with Sonardyne International. Pretty soon, the Texas native was on his way to Houston for his new job working with sonar.

“I didn’t have to go a single day unemployed,” he said. “So, Joining Forces is real; it has an impact.”

Yesterday, Andrews introduced the first lady to a crowd at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Fla., where she announced that Joining Forces’ had exceeded its goal of helping private industry hire or train 100,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2013. To date, she said, the program has partnered with 2,000 companies that have hired or trained 125,000 veterans and military spouses.

USS George Washington Holds Change of Command

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Marissa Beasley, USS George Washington public affairs

YOKOSUKA, Japan (NNS) -- The U.S. Navy's forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) held a change of command ceremony Aug.11.

Capt. Gregory J. Fenton relieved Capt. David A. Lausman to become George Washington's 11th commanding officer.

 "We stood on this same stage 40 months and 2 days ago," said Lausman. "Since then, we have both watched from different vantage points -- you the crew have excelled in both operational deployments and maintenance, and answering our country's call for tasking as the Flagship of our Navy's permanently, forward-deployed naval force."

 Lausman assumed command of George Washington in April 2009 and has completed four Selected Restricted Availabilities; an emergency sortie in response to the March 2011 Japan tsunami and distressed civilian-nuclear power plant; and has conducted four patrols in the 7th Fleet area of operations while hosting numerous senior government officials, defense and military leaders, and heads of industry from more than 13 Western Pacific countries.

 "George Washington could never hope to maintain the operational tempo or excellence without support," said Lausman. "Support is vital to our success in maintenance, operational deployments and engagements with our vital maritime partners throughout the Western Pacific."

Guest speaker Rear Adm. J.R. Haley, Task Force Seven Zero commander, addressed those in attendance during the ceremony, welcoming Fenton to the George Washington family.

"The test of leadership is not how well a unit responds under optimum conditions; the test of leadership is how a team responds in adversity," said Haley. "George Washington responded superbly at every corner where she encountered obstacles, impediments, and unplanned events."

 Fenton has served as executive officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and commanded USS Denver (LPD 9). His most recent assignment was chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa.

"We must simultaneously safely operate our ship while preparing for sequential maintenance periods," said Fenton. "We must continue to aggressively identify and correct all discrepancies, train for operations and for personal professional development. I am proud to be your commanding officer and am excited about joining you for the ride."

Following the ceremony, guests were invited to a reception and cake cutting in the ship's hangar bay to celebrate the change of command.

George Washington is currently pier side in Yokosuka, Japan making preparations to return to sea.

USS Theodore Roosevelt Wins Community Service, Environmental Awards

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Tyrell Morris, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) outperformed all other large sea-based commands in the mid-Atlantic region for the second consecutive year earning two ship awards for their community relations projects (COMRELs) Oct 6.

The Environmental Stewardship Flagship award and the Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship award were presented to TR for its exemplary voluntary community service activities the crew participated in during the last fiscal year. More than 659 Sailors have volunteered 2,445 man-hours of their personal time to more than 100 COMRELs within the local community.

"The goal of TR's community relations (COMREL) program is to allow Sailors to put the Navy core values into action through service to others," said Lt. Cmdr. Allen, TR's Chaplain.

The Environmental Stewardship Flagship recognizes the best year-round volunteer supported program or special project that promotes education and good stewardship of environmental resources. Among the community service initiatives undertaken by the participating commands were clean-up events, recycling initiatives, tree plantings, and educational courses to promote environmental awareness.

TR Sailors participated in "Clean the Station Day." This semi-annual event is an effort in support of Commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic's vision of "Clean it up, green it up and keep it up." They spent hours raking, sweeping, collecting debris and beautifying the base. Sailors also showed their strong spirit of service on a weekly basis by volunteering at the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation and assisting the Norfolk Zoological Society.

The Personal Excellence Partnership Flagship award recognizes commands that excel in the project's goal of improving scholastic achievements, social and life skills and providing vocational guidance.

Throughout the year, many Sailors donated time at the USO concession stands in Hampton Coliseum for events such as Disney on Ice, USO Holiday Party, Eagle Winter Fest Concert, WWE Wrestling, and Jazz Festival. TR Sailors also partnered with BC Charles Elementary School, Jenkins Elementary School, Stanford Elementary School, and Sewells Point Elementary School. Sailors helped with field days, book fairs, career days, reading to the students, cleaning and painting.

"It is very important that we continue to extend our time and talent in supporting the surrounding community through community relations projects and represent the Navy in a positive light," said Allen.