US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt returns to sea to conduct carrier qualification flights


U.S. Navy nuclear powered aircraft USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) returns to sea and entered the Philippine Sea on May 21, 2020, to conduct carrier qualification flights for the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11. 
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US Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt returns to sea to conduct carrier qualification flights 925 001 The U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) departs Apra Harbor following an extended visit to Guam in the midst of the COVID-19 global pandemic. (Picture source U.S. Navy)


The USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is the fourth Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier in the United States Navy. On 27 October 1984, the ship was officially christened by Mrs. Barbara Lehman, wife of Secretary Lehman. On 25 October 1986, Theodore Roosevelt was commissioned to active service at Newport News.

The Nimitz-class aircraft carriers can accommodate a maximum of 130 F/A-18 Hornets[32] or 85–90 aircraft of different types, but current numbers are typically 64 aircraft. The angled flight decks of the carriers use a CATOBAR arrangement to operate aircraft, with steam catapults and arrestor wires for launch and recovery. As well as speeding up flight deck operations, this allows for a much wider variety of aircraft than with the STOVL arrangement used on smaller carriers. An embarked carrier air wing consisting of up to around 90 aircraft is normally deployed on board.

The armament of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) includes 2×Sea Sparrow, 2×RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile and 2×2 Phalanx CIWS (close-in weapon system) Gatling guns. 

Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) is a United States Navy aircraft carrier air wing based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The air wing is attached to the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt. 

The mission of CVW 11 is to conduct carrier air warfare operations and assist in the planning, control, coordination and integration of seven air wing squadrons in support of carrier air warfare including; Interception and destruction of enemy aircraft and missiles in all-weather conditions to establish and maintain local air superiority.

All-weather offensive air-to-surface attacks, Detection, localization, and destruction of enemy ships and submarines to establish and maintain local sea control. Aerial photographic, sighting, and electronic intelligence for naval and joint operations. Airborne early warning service to fleet forces and shore warning nets. Airborne electronic countermeasures. In-flight refueling operations to extend the range and the endurance of air wing aircraft and Search and rescue operations