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Fleet Forces Commander Visits USS Theodore Roosevelt
Story Number: NNS090120-12
Release Date: 1/20/2009 5:33:00 PM
By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joey Morgon, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- The commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command visited USS Theodore Roosevelt (TR) (CVN 71) Jan. 19 as the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier conducted missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arabian Sea.
The visit provided Adm. Jonathan W. Greenert the opportunity to meet one-on-one with Sailors on the deckplates and get first hand feedback on how the Sailors are conducting their missions, and how their training prepared them for current operations.
"It was very important to the admiral to interact with as many Sailors as possible during his visit," said Capt. Ladd Wheeler, TR's commanding officer. "The feedback he receives from forward deployed Sailors today will clearly help in shaping how Sailors prepare for combat operations in the future."
During the visit, Greenert administered in a reenlistment on the ship's navigational bridge and addressed the crew over the ship's general announcement system to thank them for their service.
"I would like to congratulate you for serving your country in the way that you do, for being unselfish and for sacrificing," said Greenert. "I hope that you are proud of your mission so far."
Many of Sailors Greenert met on his visit were impressed by his willingness to ask them questions about their jobs and how they are doing while on deployment.
"It was unexpected when the admiral came by," said Boatswain's Mate Seaman Alcide Acevedo. "I've never seen someone of his rank do what he did. He excused himself from the officers he was with and went up to us and said hello. He asked us where we were from and what we were doing. He shook our hand as he left and gave us a command coin. It was a very cool experience."
Theodore Roosevelt and elements of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group are currently on a scheduled deployment to the 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility. TR is currently in the Gulf of Oman providing support to ground forces in Afghanistan as part of Operation Enduring Freedom.
For more news from USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn71/.
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