USS Roosevelt (CVN 71) - Naval Cruise Book

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• Ship ' s m The keel of Hull 624D was laid at Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company on Oct 31, 1981. Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger authenticated the keel laying of TR by initiating the first weld. On Nov. 3, 1981, Secretary of the Navy John F. Lehman announced the world ' s newest aircraft carrier would be named after the 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt. 9,15 1531, eventui ' {f lien Iraqi fc iration Pre iSSdaysats TR was christened and launched Oct. 27, 1984, by Mrs. Barbara Lehman, Secretary Lehman ' s wife. On Oct. 25, 1986, TR was commissioned, and officially became a part of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet. TR was the first aircraft carrier to be assembled in large sections, or modules. The process started with the ship in pieces, like a plastic model. The pieces were pre-staged in ' Nay- down areas, assembled into larger modules, hoisted into place, and welded together. Many of the larger systems were installed in the modules while they were still in the lay-down areas. This reduced the need for cutting and rewelding access passages. Modular construction, made possible through the use of a huge gantry crane capable of lifting 900 tons, cut 16 months off TR ' s construction time. The innovative construction techniques employed on TR have been used in constructing every aircraft carrier since. Capt. Paul W. Parcells was named commanding officer in Feb. 1984, and, that October, the ship was officially christened. On Oct. 25, 1986, TR was placed in active service. Capt. Dayton W. Ritt became TR ' s second commanding officer on Oct. 3, 1987, and on Dec. 30, 1988, TR started her maiden deployment, which was also the maiden deployment of the first 10-squadron air wing. Carrier Air Wing Eight. USS Theodore Roosevelt was awarded the Battle E from Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, on March 20, 1990. i