CVN-71 is named after Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), 26th President of the United States of America (1901–1909).

TR was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897 and immediately began building the strength of the Navy, but resigned during the 1898 Spanish-American War, to go to battle. Returning from Cuba a hero, he was elected Governor of New York in 1899 and was the running mate of William McKinley in the 1900 election. President McKinley was mortally wounded by an assassin on September 6, 1901, and Roosevelt was sworn in as the nation's 26th President a week later. In 1902, TR moved to create the Panama Canal, and later mediated a peace which brought an end to the Russo-Japanese War in 1905 (and earned him the Nobel Peace Prize). In 1907, Roosevelt sent 16 American battleships around the world. The "Great White Fleet" was, as he remarked, "the most important service I ever rendered to peace."

Roosevelt left the White House in 1909. He was the first president to fly and the first to submerge in a submarine, as well as the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize. As Assistant Secretary of the Navy, he supported research and development in carrier aviation. In naming CVN-71, Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman said, "[TR] was one of the architects of our modern Navy. His complete faith in the necessity for a strong Navy has been fully justified by most recent history."

Mrs. Barbara Lehman, sponsor, breaks a champagne bottle on the bow of PCU Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during the christening ceremony at Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, October 27, 1984. Photo by Stu Gilman.

F-14 Tomcat, A-6 Intruder, F/A-18 Hornet, E-2 Hawkeye and S-3 Viking aircraft overfly the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during her commissioning ceremony at Newport News, Va., October 25, 1986. US Navy photo by PHC Scallan (DVIC id: DNSC8801425).

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) underway, March 1991, in the Persian Gulf.

Taken from an EA-6B in 1993 on a Med cruise.

From the USS Theodore Roosevelt web site: "TR and CVW-8 began their third deployment on Mar. 11, 1993. [...] Deployed for 184 days, TR spent 169 days underway. Her flight deck logged over 16,000 hours, and CVW-8 flew more sorties than during the Persian Gulf War."

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) transits up the Elizabeth River from Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Va. to Norfolk Naval Station, after a mid-1990s Selected Restricted Availability (SRA). Official US Navy photo.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) conducts a Vertical Replenishment weapons off-load with the ammunition ship USS Santa Barbara (AE-28) as they steam in the waters off the Virginia coast on October 20, 1995. The crates of ordnance are being transferred by using a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter.

An SH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Seven (HS-7) approaches USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during operations in the Mediterranean Sea, February 10, 1997. U.S. Navy photo by Photograher's Mate 2nd Class James E. Perkins (# 970210-N-8590P-001).

Crewmembers and Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers man the rails aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) after a short shakedown cruise, July 17, 1998.

The Atlantic Ocean, Sep. 15, 1999 — Hundreds of crew members of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), in dress white uniforms, spell out a reference to the quote of former President Theodore Roosevelt: "Speak softly and carry a big stick." The aircraft carrier was transiting the Atlantic Ocean on her way home to Norfolk, Va., after a six-month deployment in the Adriatic Sea and Arabian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Photograher's Mate 2nd Class (AW) Robert R. McRill (photo # 990915-N-5526M-001).

"Salty Dog 110" from Naval Strike Aircraft Test Squadron 23 (VX-23) prepares to land on USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). Official US Navy photo.

This picture was possibly taken in April 2001, when the Joint Precision Approach Landing System (JPALS) test team successfully performed the first global positioning system (GPS)-based automatic landing to an aircraft carrier. Based on GPS, JPALS is intended for military aircraft including manned and unmanned fixed-wing, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL), and rotary-wing aircraft, and is designed to replace tactical air navigation (TACAN) systems and augment the current automatic carrier landing system (ACLS) and instrument carrier landing system (ICLS).

Oct. 17, 2001 — Aircraft stand ready for missions over Afghanistan on the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The ship and her embarked carrier airwing were on a scheduled deployment and joined other carrier battle groups already deployed in the southwest Asia operating area. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Scarborough. [011017-N-2003S-001].

Operation Enduring Freedom, Oct. 17, 2001 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) joined other three Carrier Battle Groups (USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), USS Enterprise (CVN-65) and USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63)) in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Scarborough. [011017-N-2003S-003].

Operation Enduring Freedom, Nov. 24, 2001 — The fast combat support ship USS Sacramento (AOE-1) is in the process of replenishing the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) as the guided missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) approaches her station alongside the AOE. Note a CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter, assigned to Sacramento, also carrying supplies to Theodore Roosevelt. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Bobby McRill (# 011124-N-5526M-002).

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Detroit (AOE-4) conduct a replenishment at sea (RAS) while underway in the Arabian Sea supporting Operation Enduring Freedom, December 6, 2001. U.S. Navy photo by PH2(AW) Jason Scarborough (011206-N-2003S-503).

Operation Enduring Freedom, Dec. 6, 2001 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) underway in waters off Southwest Asia. Many of the carrier's aircraft, S-3B Vikings, E-2C Hawkeyes, F-14 Tomcats, and F/A-18 Hornets, are shown on the ship's 4.5-acre flight deck. Two CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters are on the port side. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Jason Scarborough (AW). [011206-N-2003S-504].

Operation Enduring Freedom, Dec. 12, 2001 — On the bridge of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), the lee helmsman (left) and the helmsman maintain course and speed of the 97,000-ton aircraft carrier. While the helmsman steers the ship, as directed by the Officer of the Deck, the lee helmsman transmits all orders concerning speed and direction of the engines to the engine room. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Eric A. Clement (# 011212-N-1328C-502).

Operation Enduring Freedom, Jan. 6, 2002 — An Air Traffic Controller at the approach radar console in the Carrier Air Traffic Control Center (CATCC) aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) keeps track of aircraft returning to the carrier. Navy Air Traffic Controllers aboard the carrier must keep track of and coordinate the flights of a number of high-performance aircraft as they return to the ship and prepare to land. U.S. Navy photo by Chief Photographer's Mate Eric A. Clement (# 020106-N-1328C-508).

Operation Enduring Freedom, Feb. 19, 2002 — Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air Wing One (CVW-1) are positioned on the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) at the beginning of flight operations. On this date, TR broke a 22-year-old record for the most days continually at sea. The Norfolk, Va.-based ship had been at sea for 153 days. The previous record was held by USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) at 152 days in 1980. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Brad Garner. [020219-N-2410G-002].

Operation Enduring Freedom, Mar. 6, 2002 — The sun rises behind USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), as she prepares to turn over operations to the John F. Kennedy (CV-67) Battle Group. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 1st Class Jim Hampshire. [020306-N-6492H-510].

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) completed a record 159 consecutive days at sea during her 189-day deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, September 19, 2001–March 27, 2002. Official US Navy photo.

The Atlantic Ocean, Dec. 8, 2002 — Flight deck Sailors stretch out a barricade during an aircraft mishap drill on the Theodore Roosevelt's flight deck. The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean for Tailored Ship Training Availability (TSTA). TSTA has specific training events designed to incrementally enhance the ship's operating proficiency and gradually integrate the air wing with the ship. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Todd M. Flint (021208-N-0275F-507).

The Atlantic Ocean, Jan. 9, 2003 — Two aircraft are transferred from the ship's hangar bay to the flight deck on one of four of the ship's aircraft elevators. Elevators are used constantly to move Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) aircraft around the ship. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Brad Garner. [030109-N-2410G-506].

Aerial view of the nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) with her embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8), February 4, 2003. TR was conducting training exercises in the Caribbean Sea while preparing to deploy to the United States Central Command Area of Responsibility. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Todd M. Flint (# 030204-N-0275F-502).

The Mediterranean Sea, Mar. 20, 2003 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) powers through the Mediterranean Sea conducting missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Todd M. Flint. (030320-N-0275F-501).

The Mediterranean Sea, Apr. 12, 2003 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) underway conducting combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Todd M. Flint. (030412-N-0275F-504).

The Mediterranean Sea, May 3, 2003 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) steams through the Mediterranean while conducting operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Todd Flint (030503-N-0275F-504).

Naval Station Norfolk, Va., May 29, 2003 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is assisted to the pier by tug boats at Naval Station Norfolk, putting an end to her deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Delia Pettit (030529-N-6607P-004).

Norfolk, Va., Feb. 19, 2004 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) transits the Elizabeth River to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, Va. The nuclear powered aircraft carrier was at the time involved in Planned Incremental Availability (PIA) following her deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Jason Lagoe (040219-N-4013L-501).

Atlantic Coast, Mar. 12, 2005 — USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67), background, conducts vertical replenishment (VERTREP) operations with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). VERTREPs are used to quickly transfer munitions and supplies from one ship to another. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Randall Damm (# 050312-N-9362D-008).

Atlantic Ocean, Mar. 31, 2005 — An F/A-18C Hornet, assigned to the "War Party" of Strike Fighter Squadron Eight Seven (VFA-87), prepares to launch from the flight deck aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). The "War Party" were embarked aboard TR as part of Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8). The aircraft carrier was at the time underway for Tailored Ship Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jonathan W. Hutto, Sr. (050331-N-3333H-002).

Atlantic Ocean, May 19, 2005 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) conducting carrier qualifications off the coast of Virginia. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Eben Boothby (050519-N-8163B-001).

Atlantic Ocean, July 15, 2005 — The USS Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group conducts a close quarters exercise while underway in the Atlantic Ocean. From left, USS San Jacinto (CG-56), USS Donald Cook (DDG-75), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), and the Spanish AEGIS guided missile frigate Álvaro de Bazán (F-101). The strike group was conducting a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX). U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Eben Boothby (# 050715-N-8163B-028).

Norfolk, Va., Sep. 1, 2005 — Sailors aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) man the rails prior to getting underway from Naval Station Norfolk, Va. Nearly 7,500 Sailors from the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group deployed in support of the Global War On Terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 1st Class Gregory A. Roberts (# 050901-N-3725R-044).

Persian Gulf, November 15, 2005 — An F-14D Tomcat, assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Fighter Squadron Three One (VF-31), prepares to make an arrested landing on the flight deck of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). TR and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) were underway in the Persian Gulf supporting Operation Steel Curtain, an offensive aimed at preventing cells of Al-Qaeda from entering Iraq through the Syrian border. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Nathan Laird (# 051115-N-7241L-012).

Persian Gulf, December 3, 2005 — The Spanish Navy guided missile frigate Álvaro de Bazán (F-101) steams alongside USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during the AEGIS frigate's departure from Carrier Strike Group Two (CSG-2). CSG-2 was underway on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Matthew Bash (# 051203-N-4154B-008).

Persian Gulf, December 21, 2005 — Operations Specialists man their workstations in the Combat Direction Center (CDC) aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). TR and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) were underway on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Matthew Bash (# 051221-N-4154B-001).

Persian Gulf, January 30, 2006 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) conducts a Close-in Weapons System (CIWS) live fire test in the Persian Gulf. CIWS is a fast-reaction, rapid-fire 20-millimeter gun system that provides U.S. Navy ships with a terminal defense against anti-ship missiles that have penetrated other fleet defenses. TR and embarked Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) were underway on a regularly scheduled deployment conducting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Tony Foster (# 060130-N-9805F-001).

Aksaz Naval Base, Marmaris, Turkey, February 16, 2006, on her way back to the USA.

Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, February 22, 2006 — USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) heads to sea following a logistics stop on the Greek island of Crete. TR and Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) were underway on a regularly scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Paul Farley (# 060222-N-0780F-001).

Atlantic Ocean, March 10, 2006 — F/A-18 Hornets perform a fly-by in formation over USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). TR and Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW-8) were returning from a six-month deployment in support of maritime security operations and the global war on terrorism. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Michael Cole (# 060310-N-2838C-021).

Atlantic Ocean, April 24, 2006 — An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Five (VFA-105) makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). TR was underway conducting carrier qualifications (CQ) in support of the fleet response plan. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Chris Thamann 060425-N-6410T-002).

Marking the end of an era for Naval Aviation, the final aircraft carrier operational launch for Tomcats happened aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) 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. US Navy photograph (# 060728-N-7241L-004) by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Nathan Laird.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) makes her transit down the Elizabeth River from Naval Station Norfolk to Norfolk Naval Shipyard, March 7, 2007. The carrier was undergoing a Planned Incremental Availability period for maintenance. US Navy photograph (# 070307-N-8138B-001) by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Eben Boothby.

Pierside at Naval Station Norfolk, VA December 7, 2007.

Underway in the Atlantic, December 9, 2007.

Ship's patch, Operations Allied Force and Southern Watch, Summer Combat Cruise '99

"The Big Stick."