Combat Camera: Aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt, April 10, 2009

PORTSMOUTH, England (April 5, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is anchored in the English Channel as a ferry prepares to transport Sailors to Portsmouth Harbor. Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 Sailors visited Portsmouth, England, on their way home from a seven-month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Hall.)

PORTSMOUTH, England (April 5, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) is anchored in the English Channel as a ferry prepares to transport Sailors to Portsmouth Harbor. Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 Sailors are on a port visit to Portsmouth on their way home from a seven-month deployment supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Third Class Christopher Hall.)

U.S. 6th FLEET (April 2, 2009) An HH-60H Seahawk helicopter assigned to the "Tridents" of Helicopter AntiSubmarine Squadron (HS) 3 approaches the fantail of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during an air power demonstration. Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder.)

U.S. 6th FLEET (April 2, 2009) An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Blacklions" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 performs a high-speed pass over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during an air power demonstration. Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder.)

U.S. 6th FLEET (April 2, 2009) An F/A-18E Super Hornet (right) assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 re-fuels an F/A-18 Hornet assigned to the "Valions" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 15 during an air power demonstration over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) during an air power demonstration. Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jonathan Snyder.)

U.S 6TH FLEET (April 2, 2009) An SH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Tridents of Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 3 parades the American flag to conclude an airpower demonstration held over the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71). Theodore Roosevelt and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 are operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet Area of Responsibilty. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Wilyanna Harper.)

GULF OF ADEN (March 22, 2009) The Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) and the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transit the Gulf of Aden. Boxer is the flagship of Combined Task Force 151, a multinational task force conducting counter-piracy operations to detect and deter piracy in and around the Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Red Sea. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John J. Siller.)

SUEZ CANAL (March 27, 2009) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the Suez Canal after five months of operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Theodore Roosevelt is underway back to its homeport of Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Fire Controlman 3rd Class Feena Dwiggins.)

SUEZ CANAL (March 27, 2009) The aircraft cattier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the Suez Canal after five months of operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. Theodore Roosevelt is headed back to its homeport of Norfolk, Va. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class John Suits.)

Dispatches from the Front:

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea, April 10, 2009 -- USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) and USS The Sullivans (DDG 68) visited Portsmouth, England, April 4-8 as the ships completed their final port visits before returning to homeport.

The United States and England share a long-standing relationship. This was evident as the Sailors interacted with their hosts on tours and visits to many sites in the country. While in Portsmouth, crew members from Theodore Roosevelt and The Sullivans also participated in a variety of military interactions in addition to enjoying British culture and history.

"It was a great pleasure for our Sailors to visit England. The British were wonderful hosts in every way," said Rear Adm. Frank Pandolfe, commander, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

"This visit provided an important opportunity to strengthen our unique relationship, building upon shared history, mutual respect and great trust."

Along with The Sullivans, Theodore Roosevelt and Carrier Air Wing 8 hosted scores of area residents and officials to tour the U.S. ships and embarked aircraft.

"This memorable port visit caps off a highly successful deployment," said Theodore Roosevelt's Commanding Officer, Capt. Ladd Wheeler. "The crew enjoyed the opportunity to see England and to welcome visitors to the ship. The visit was a great success."

Local Portsmouth residents returned the favor by offering tours of historic ships and locales, including HMS Victory, the flagship of English Adm. Lord Nelson.

"I studied that ship for years," said Lt. j.g. Will King, of TR's operations department. "The ship's curator, Peter Goodwin, gave a number of officers a behind-the-scenes tour. From my end, he changed my entire perspective on history and research. It was a truly momentous meeting for me."

Additionally, TR Sailors enjoyed tours in London to see famous locations including Parliament, Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. The crew also ventured into the countryside to see Stonehenge, Windsor Castle and visit popular towns like Bath and Hampton Court.

"The thing that impressed me the most about England was the people," said Aircrew Survival Equipmentman Airman Apprentice Theo Frashure. "Everyone was very polite and friendly. The entire trip was made spectacular thanks to the kind people that I met. I have always wanted to go to England, and I am happy that I got the chance to experience such a wonderful place."

Theodore Roosevelt and The Sullivans are operating in the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility. Theodore Roosevelt recently departed 5th Fleet, where it conducted combat missions in support of coalition ground forces operating in Operation Enduring Freedom. The Sullivans participated in maritime security operations and conducted theater security cooperation in 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet Areas of Responsibility.

(Report by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joey Morgon.)

More Combat Camera Imagery on THE TENSION

Tags: DOD, Military, War, United States, U.S., GWOT, terrorism, CVN 71, Roosevelt, Navy, photography, photo, photos, pictures, images, photojournalism, Combat Camera
Global Tags: Washington DC, News and Politics, News, Politics, Current Events, Current Affairs, Life, Culture, Buzz, Tension