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This is a series of weekly updates from the PAO (Public Affairs Officer) LT John "Spin" Oliveira on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-17). We hope these e-mails will continue while they are deployed. They are now in the Mediterranean. In addition we will also post letters from the Commander of the USS Theodore Roosevelt.
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From: "Oliveira, John LT (PAO)"
Sent: Saturday, February 15, 2003 12:58 PM
Subject: USS Theodore Roosevelt #1

All,

Sorry it has taken so long to start writing again. Hopefully this will start a series of weekly updates that you can share with your friends and give you a little insight to life aboard "America's Big Stick."

Amy and I had our first child, Victoria Ruth, on Jan 16th. Fortunately the Admiral and Captain allowed me to go home for her birth. It was fantastic but made my departure from Norfolk to head back to the ship on the 28th of Jan even more difficult. Having a child makes the deployment even more difficult than it already is. Hopefully by our role out here we will make the world a safer place for her to grow up in and she will understand why I was not there in her first few months.

The ship was scheduled to deploy in late spring of this year but due to the current crisis in Iraq we completed our training evolutions and were sent overseas without returning to Norfolk. We made it into the Mediterranean mid week and now are heading to our station in the Med.

It's difficult on our Sailors as once again we approach our first beer day and have not hit a port since we left Norfolk on Jan 6th. Our young men and women know that we have an important role to play in supporting the diplomatic efforts underway to convince the Iraqi regime to comply with their UN obligations.

Our aircraft fly almost daily keeping their aircrews skills as sharp as possible in the event we are called upon to act in the global war on terrorism.

The crew is safe, focused and well trained to handle the myriad of missions that we are capable of. The weather has cooled off considerably since leaving Puerto Rico but still not as cold as it was back home.

We recently were all inoculated against anthrax and smallpox which is no big deal. The success of the inoculation program has been in large part due to the education we gave our Sailors.

Media have started coming to visit us once again and I expect many more media visits during our stay in theater. Though some people still cringe at the access media have aboard our ships it is now an important part of our strategy and enhances the connection the

American public has with our young men and women aboard TR.

I think about you all often and wish I could be back home in Newsoms on the farm doing what I enjoy but I know that our mission here is vital to our security and along with our crew will execute it to the best of our ability.

Take care and God bless you all

Spin

Captain's Log
From: "O'Hanlon, Richard J. CAPT. (CVN71)"
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 10:08 PM
Subject: Captain's Log 22 Feb 2003

Dear Friends and Family of USS Theodore Roosevelt,

It may be hard to believe but the ship is off on another deployment so it's time to renew my irregular reports on the progress and accomplishments of THE finest aircraft carrier in any Fleet. It was just eleven months ago that TR returned to our loved ones after an arduous combat deployment. Since then the crew has been busy indeed. After our thirty day post-cruise leave period ended we began what turned out to be one of the most ambitious six month shipyard periods ever attempted. New gear was installed to improve both our combat capability and quality of life for the the 5,000 men and women who call TR home. The crew worked very hard overhauling older equipment and fixing many other problems that develop after an extended period at sea. As we left the shipyard in late October the ship never looked better and there was a great sense of accomplishment.

Traditionally, a carrier gets twelve months post-shipyard to prepare for deployment. Back in October the ship's schedule was to deploy in May of 2003, just six months after leaving the shipyard. Many people considered this schedule risky but little did we know that TR's crew would be asked to get ready even faster. As the situation in the Mideast degraded the crew embraced the intent of the President's message to the Joint Chiefs shortly after September 11th. Those words were to "Be ready". So we loaded the ship with parts, stores and ammunition just in case the word came to go even earlier than programmed. We left Norfolk in early January 2003 for the normal training period called COMPTUEX expecting to return in mid February but wondering if we would.

The COMPTUEX at sea period went very well. Both the wing and the ship participated in Enduring Freedom last cruise and the experience showed. The ship/airwing team worked very efficiently and exceeded every goal in all warfare areas. When the decision was announced that we would surge, we were ready and able to meet the task. The Big Stick was headed to the plate to take another swing at terrorism.

As I type this we have been at sea for 7 weeks straight. Continuing with TR tradition we have taken time outs from operations to observe special events. One such time was our Super Bowl party. The Megatron TV was set up for viewing in hangar bay 3. A festive environment was set by MWR as prizes such as personal CD and DVD players were raffled off and other party favors were tossed into the cheering crowd as is done at stadiums across America. We have had two ice cream socials and, despite my vow, made at the end of last cruise, to never again spend enough time at sea to qualify for another beer day...well, those two beers sure tasted good. We planned to have a steel beach picnic during the beer day but Mother Nature had other plans; 45 kt howling winds, rain and 10 foot seas caused the ship to move around a bit. We flexed our steel beach plan to a party in our garage (the hangar).

TR is now in the Mediterranean Sea conducting training to keep our edge sharp. The crew's morale is high which is amazing if you think about what we have asked them to do over the last two years: an arduous six and one half months combat deployment, a very busy six month shipyard repair period and a compressed but thorough training syllabus. Our schedule changes caused some long hours and upset family plans. Despite this our families are still some of the most supportive I have ever seen. They are a great source of strength for us on the ship. Please keep those cards, letters, pictures and packages coming. They continue to be the best morale builder of all.

As difficult as it is for all of us, take consolation and have pride in the fact that your TR Sailor is playing a vital role in bringing peace and stability to a very unstable region. Our ship is "America's Big Stick", the power behind the diplomacy. We will continue on as our Navy has done for 227 years answering America's call wherever and whenever our might is needed.

Take care,

Captain Rich O'Hanlon
Commanding Officer
USS Theodore Roosevelt

From: "Oliveira, John LT (PAO)"
Sent: Saturday, February 22, 2003 7:25 PM
Subject: Theodore Roosevelt #2

Hi everyone,
Well another week has passed with us on station in the eastern Med. The weather has been pretty chilly so far a huge difference from last cruise. We had our first beer day on Monday. Some of you may remember we had three of those last cruise. When you don't pull into a port for 45 days the Navy aurthorizes each crewmember 2 beers. Not much of a consolation for being out here.

It is going very slow. I have only had the Norfolk and Washington, DC reporters aboard but should be expecting some more in the coming weeks.

Frustration levels continue to build and we do our hardest not to let them overtake us. Our role is supporting the dilpomatic efforts but sometimes it can be difficult to understand or accept. Overall crew morale continues to be good and we fly daily in the on-going training to keep our skills ready to go if needed.

Fortunately in the Med, as in comparison to the Indian Ocean last year, we actually get some Armed Forces TV and regular doses of the news to keep abreast of what is going on in the world around us.

Mail still hasn't quite caught up with us yet but hopefully soon. It is already starting to filter in. Once we get through the intital push mail takes about 5-7 days to get here.

Tonight is the weekly bingo game and pizza night which is one of the few things we can look forward to. Bingo is interesting as it is played via TV and if you get BINGO you call in and then get 5 minutes to bring your card up to the TV studio. Pizza night is just a chance to relax and socialize and have an O'Douls. Then it's time for cigars after pizza.

I call Amy and Tori almost every day and that probably the biggest boost to my morale is to hear both of them on the other end of the phone. It's tough being away from home but even more so now that we have a new daughter.

Thanks for all your e-mails they mean a lot and help me stay connected. I save them all and read them often.

Well that's all for this week. Take care and God bless

Spin

From: "Oliveira, John LT (PAO)"
Sent: Sunday, March 02, 2003 10:26 AM
Subject: Theodore Roosevelt #3

Hi All,
Well today we finally arrive in our first port call after nearly 60 days at sea. We will be stopping at the Island of Crete for a few days as we get some down time before going out back to the line.

The crew really needs this rest as it has been non-stop for them since we left. When Captain O'Hanlon announced the visit the other day you could not imagine the change in the crew as they realized they would get some down time for a short while.

You could hear the cheers around the ship after the announcement. My plan is to make some official calls with the Admiral and CO tomorrow then I have found a very nice bed and breakfast about 60 miles away frm the ship where I won't be around Sailors but be able to relax and do some shopping.

The ability to be able to stay in a hotel room ashore is trememndous and makes a huge difference when I get back.

Thanks for the notes, cards and boxes you all are sending they mean a lot to all of us. Of course my whole team and I share everything our familes send

Take care and I will e-mail you all next regarding our trip to Crete

John

From: "Oliveira, John LT (PAO)"
Sent: Saturday, March 08, 2003 2:32 PM
Subject: Theodore Roosevelt #4

Hi Everyone,

We are back out at sea conducting flight operations once again. We do it with a renewed energy after spending 4 days in beautiful Crete.

It was my first visit to the Island and it was exceptional. I stayed at a wonderful 15th century Venetian Manor House that had been restored as a B&B. The city was wonderful as where its inhabitants. Got some shopping done for Amy and I even bought a pair of handmade Cretan farm boots. Speaking of farms, goats and sheep run loose all over the place. You have to be especially careful driving in the mountains around corners.

It was just great eating all the Greek cuisine and brought back many memories of eating at Mrs. Sefriadis house (Cousin Helen's Mother).

We left Crete on Friday and it was a breath of fresh air when we left as I was once again charged up and rearing to go. My first load of media comes in tomorrow and once again I expect to get very busy telling the Navy story and talking about the important role we are playing here in support of our nation's diplomatic efforts.

Amy and Tori are doing well. We also have two new additions, in the way of our Boer goats, to the family. Three more are still pregnant and should be kidding soon.

Thanks so much for the e-mails, packages and cards that you send they do mean a lot.

One of the great things about the Navy is making these foreign port visits. You have an opportunity to meet different people and when it all comes down to it you find out that we are all not that much different.

Well that's all for this week. Take care and God Bless.
John

From: "Oliveira, John LT (PAO)"
Sent: Saturday, March 15, 2003 3:46 PM
Subject: Theodore Roosevelt #4

Hi Everyone,
Well it has been a very busy week aboard TR in many respects. The entire crew continues to train to maintain the high levels of proficiency needed in being forward deployed on the war on terrorism. Our aircrews fly daily keeping the edge sharp. Today we finally got a little reprieve as we get some maintenance done and get some general crew rest before we start up again.

As for me I have been busy pushing media all week. The reporters came in force. We have 12 reporters who are with us permanently and get 12 more every other day on a rotational basis. Though it keeps me busy it is great for the crew as they see people are interested in what they do and we can let people around the world know of the dedication and commitment made by the young men and women that I serve with.

News from the home front is good as we have more goats and Tori is getting bigger everyday. Thank the Lord for digital cameras as I can at least see her growing that way. Though I do miss not being there to watch it first hand.

Well that's it for now. Thanks so much for the packages, cards and e-mails you send. They mean a lot in keeping the morale high.

God Bless

John