The entire deck was stacked with aircraft.  F18 Super Hornets from VFA-15 Valions, VFA-31 Tomcatters, VFA-87 Golden Warriors and the VFA-213 Black Lions. EA6B Prowlers form the Tactical EW Squadron, VAQ-14, the Shadowhawks, E-C2’s from VAW-124, the Bear Aces as well as two Sea Haws from the ASW Squadron, the HS-3 Tridents.  All of the aircraft covering almost the entire 1.8 hectares of deck area.

 The USS Theodore Roosevelt left Norfolk in September 2007 as part of a strike group.  Other vessels in the group are:

•  The Monterey  (a guided-missile cruiser)
• The Mason and Nitze (a guided-missile destroyer)
• The Supply  (a fast combat support ship)
• The Sullivans (guided-missile destroyer)
• The attack submarine Springfield

 Although the vessel is in Cape Town on invitation from the South African Government, Lieutenant Brian Badura, US Naval Forces Europe 6th Fleet Assistant Public Affairs Officer said “The visit is part of the US Defence Force's co-operative strategy which was aimed at setting the foundation for future relations”.  He hinted that combined working relationships could play a vital role in assisting or dealing with for example the current piracy problems of the Somalian coast.

Some interesting facts:

Since commissioning on the 25th October 1986, the USS Theodore Roosevelt saw action in both Gulf wars and in Afghanistan (sorties from the vessel marked the beginning of the war).  The final aircraft carrier operational launch for a F14 Tomcat happened aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt  when F-14D AJ-112, from the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron 31 (VF-31), piloted by LT Blake Coleman and Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) LCDR Dave Lauderbaugh, made its way down catapult No. 3 at 1642, July 28, 2006.

• CLASS – NIMITZ
• Launched: 27 August 1984,
• Commissioned: 25 October 1986,
• Displacement: 91,300 Tons,
• Dimensions: 1088' (331.6m) x 134' (40.8m) x 37' 8" (11.5m) flight deck width 257’ (78.4m),
• Armament: Three Sea Sparrow SAM, Four 20mm CIWS (Close In Weapon System),
• Aircraft: Up to 90 Aircraft,
• Power plant: 260,000 shaft horse power,  two Westinghouse (A4W) Reactors Driving Geared Turbines with four propellers each with five blades
• Speed: 35+  Knots
• Crew: Up to a maximum of 5617
• Homeport: Norfolk, VA

 It is expected that the vessel will leave Cape Town on Tuesday 07 October 2008. During the stay some 4600 crew members will have the opportunity to visit Cape Town and to partake in a variety of community relations projects.

In the information age the USS Theodore Roosevelt has its own website .

IMG would like to thank the South African Navy and the United States Consulate for media facilities extended to the group.

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