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Theodore Roosevelt Supports Operation Enduring Freedom By Patricia Bennett  On September 19, 2001 MORAN was proud to assist the aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt as she left the Norfolk Naval Station for deployment to the North Arabian Sea, where she participated in Operation Enduring Freedom, the campaign waged against the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. Prior to the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Roosevelt was preparing to participate in routine military exercises with Egypt and other Middle Eastern allies, and her crew looked forward to port calls in Greece, Italy and Spain. Instead, with almost no warning, she was re-deployed as one of the first ships to participate in the United States’ military response to the terrorist attacks. Sailors and pilots on the Roosevelt had to suddenly brace themselves for hazardous combat duty, on a mission that ended up entailing the most consecutive days at sea in recent aircraft carrier history. Prior to the carrier’s departure, survivors of the fire and rescue crews who lost so many members on September 11th presented the "Ground Zero" American flag to the Roosevelt’s fire fighting crew. The flag, which had flown above the World Trade Center site in the immediate aftermath of the buildings’ destruction, has become a symbol of the unity and resolve of the United States in defending itself. It was passed hand-over-hand, a Naval tradition for honoring the dead, before it was raised on the yardarm of the Roosevelt’s Signal Bridge. It remained with the ships of the Roosevelt Battle Group until the carrier returned to port in March, 2002, 189 days after its deployment. The Roosevelt and its crew are formidable adversaries for anyone who decides to attack the United States. The 1,093 foot long aircraft carrier weighs almost 100,000 tons and can carry up to 85 aircraft in hangars below deck. She was commissioned in 1986 and is the fourth of eight of the nation’s Nimitz-class nuclearpowered aircraft carriers. During her tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, aircraft from the Roosevelt dropped more than 1.7 million pounds of ordinance on the enemy, and her pilots logged over 30,000 flight hours. Her crew prepared and serviced aircraft that flew 60 to 80 combat flights a day, with pilots routinely flying 14 hours a day. The pilots and crew successfully completed over 10,000 arrested landings via tail hook, and the Roosevelt accomplished all of this without sustaining any casualties. On March 26, 2002, the Roosevelt returned to her homeport with the "Ground Zero" American flag flying high, to the jubilant celebration of her crew and their families. The giant ship, aptly nicknamed the "Big Stick", was again assisted by MORAN’s tugs. MORAN provides towage services to all of the Navy’s ships at the Norfolk Naval Station under a long-term contract. In keeping with its long tradition of service to the Navy, MORAN and its crews provide the best possible equipment and service to help these ships do their important work. |
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50 Locust Avenue | New Canaan, CT 06840-4737 USA | Tel: 203.442.2800 |
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