The USS Theodore Roosevelt is one of the 10 Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers in the United States Navy. Named in honor of the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, along with four other Navy SEAL ships. The San Diego-based aircraft carriers were the first to be assembled using modular construction which reduced its construction time by 16 months. This same technique has been used on every aircraft carrier since.
The ship was first deployed for Operation Desert Storm in 1990 and later after the Sept. 11 attacks the aircraft carrier launched the initial strikes against al-Qaeda during Operation Enduring Freedom. Nimitz-class aircraft carriers are considered to be the centerpiece of naval ships, traveling over 30 knots per hour despite their large size. The USS Theodore Roosevelt is more than 1,000 feet long and 250 feet wide. Furthermore, the nuclear-powered ship supports 3,200 crew members and 90 aircraft.
This August, the ship proved more agile than ever. It is often assumed that it’s difficult to turn an aircraft carrier quickly, but not for Roosevelt. The ship executed a sharp turn in the eastern Pacific while processing information from two guided-missile cruisers and a missile destroyer.
The ship now awaits reconstruction and remodeling as it embarks on its 35th year of service.
Photo by U.S. Navy via Flickr
