The Public Affairs Officer aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt provides encouragement to families and friends of those serving "in harm's way".
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(link to the PAO's website)
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From: Captain Richard J. O'Hanlon, USN, Commaning Officer,
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
Sent: Sunday, November 18, 2001 4:58 PM
Subject: 11/17 letter
Hello all,
I know it has been a while since I updated you but it has been busy out here as the ship continues to pound away at the remnants of the Taliban and the Afghani section of the Al Qaida network. The headlines pretty much speak for themselves.
The relentless pressure provided by airpower destroyed their air defenses, command and control networks, supply lines and eroded their will to resist. There are still a number of hard liners that are holding out but the majority of these are non-Afghanis. We will continue to support the Northern Alliance ground forces and attack Al Qaida strongholds. We are making some great progress in the latter. More coalition partners are arriving daily.
The amount of naval power headed this way is staggering. Great Britain, Canada, Australia, France, Italy, and Japan have ships here or they are enroute. Many more countries are pledging ground or air forces. This is truly an international fight. It is sad in way that it took the 9/11 tragedy to bring the world together like this.
The men and women of my crew continue to amaze me. We have been at sea for 60 days. Of those 60 days, only two have been days off (days without conducting flight operations). Despite all the above, the crew gathers around me whenever I walk around and want to know how we are doing and if we are making a difference. They cheer with every bomb on target and our success spurs them on to greater accomplishments. I do a weekly talk show on the ship's TV system. It is a chance for me to chat with the crew as they phone in to ask questions. Move over Larry King. As part of the show I roll a weekly "greatest hits" video. The best of the bombing from the last week. Very popular. Even the studio crew looks away from their cameras to study each hit. I emphasize that every mission we execute is a total team effort from the propulsion plant operators to the bomb assemblers to the administrative support personnel to the flight deck aircraft maintainers.
We have had some fun though. Two weeks ago we paused for a "steel beach" picnic. We set up barbeques on the flight deck and cooked up steak, chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs. The morale and welfare division set up volleyball and basketball matches. We have these oversize tricycles that people race on the flight deck. There were golfers, fishers, bands and, for the first time on an aircraft carrier in quite a while, a swim call. The Air Department lowered one of the aircraft elevators to the hangar deck level and crewmembers were given the opportunity to jump the 26 feet from the elevator to the water. Two thousand people literally jumped ship. Not all at once, of course. Life boats in the water, safety swimmers, etc. We even had sharpshooters looking out for sharks (none were seen). There is another no fly tomorrow. We are using this as a maintenance day so there are no big events with one exception. Navy regulations say that if you are at sea for 45 consecutive days the captain can authorize a special ration of two cans of beer per crewmember. I guess I have to remind you that US Navy ships are dry i.e. no alcohol allowed except as noted above. So tonight as we recover the last aircraft we are going to serve pizza and BEER to the crew. It may seem like no big deal to most of you but this is huge out here.
In the biggest surprise of the cruise to date, several members of the NY Yankees phoned me after Game 7 as they were flying home. I spoke to Willie Randolph and Paul O'Neill. I was told that Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams and Joe Torre were standing by to talk but the connection was severed as Jeter was handed the phone. They sent along their best wishes and gratitude to the crew who were thrilled to hear that the Yankees took time out to think of us.
We continue to fly 14 hours a day 7 days a week but the ship's activities don't end at the end of flight operations. We are constantly gathering intelligence, fixing aircraft and ship's equipment, preparing more of our 20,000 meals a day, navigating the ship to our next launch point. The list goes on. TR is literally the city that never sleeps. We train constantly to keep the crew ready to respond to any contingency and go to battle stations for drill often shoot our guns and train our missiles. We even impose simulated damage to provide training in firefighting and damage control.
As many of you know the human spirit is an formidable force. It is the only fighting reserve the evildoers in Afghanistan have left. All of us on TR and throughout this coalition have spirit and resolve that exceeds any quantity the enemy ashore has. But, unlike our adversary, we have some really cool weaponry left with which to carry out our orders. The reason I started on this spirit angle was to segue into a discussion on keeping morale high on the ship; my primary job. The support we have received from our families back in Norfolk has been spectacular. We on TR are blessed to have such strong, devoted spouses. The ship has also received messages and pledges of support from many parts of the country. I thank you all deeply. A small gift from home whether it be in the form of a video, a CD, a snack pack, a card, a letter, an email or a photograph means more than you know. It makes the difference between a Sailor who can give a little more for the nth consecutive day and a Sailor who can not. We could not do our job without the unflagging support of our family, friends and the American people. To all, you have my gratitude.
I have rambled on enough. There are some images of life on the ship at the bottom of this email. Hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving. We are pulling all the stops out here for a spectacular turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Please stay in touch as our deployment progresses.
Best wishes, Rich
CAPT Rich O'Hanlon Commanding Officer USS Theodore Roosevelt
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From: Oliveira, John LT (Spin), Public Affairs Officer
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2001 11:18 AM
Subject: THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Well we have been gone 57 days today. Haven't touched land yet. The only land any of us has seen has been either Egypt as we went through the canal or Afghanistan as we fly over it.
I'm sure those of you who follow the news reports have seen that our hard work is starting to pay off as Taliban forces are fleeing all over the
country. This is not the end; we are in this for the long haul and will be victorius on all fronts.
It is nice to see the fruits of our labors out here.
There are days out here that seem to go on forever and yet I look back and it seems like the first 60 days have flown by. Fortunately I have been very busy out here and that does help the time go by faster.
Reporters are still on the ship everyday from all over the world in addition to the numerous radio and TV interviews I do on a daily basis with agencies back home.
I continue to be swamped by e-mails and letters from all over the country. This week I would like to say a special thanks to the folks at Barnes Methodist Church in Newsoms (the church Amy and I go to just down the road a piece from our house) for the tremendous outpouring of cards and birthday wishes. Thanks so much - it means a lot to me. Thanks to everyone who sent those messages.
I am still amazed at how interested the folks back home are in what we are doing. It is great and makes each of us aboard TR confident that you are behind us.
Not much to say this week but groundhog day again. I wish each of you a very happy Thanksgiving and keep us in your prayers for a safe return to our loved ones.
Until next week - Cheers, Spin
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Sent: Wednesday, November 07, 2001 11:18 PM
Subject: USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT WEEK 6
From: "Oliveira, John LT; Public Affairs Office
Hi everyone,
Another week has passed and we continue to fly strikes over Afghanistan with great success. It was a great week aboard TR.
Last Friday we had a "no-fly" day. This is a day in which we can catch up on much needed maintenance and get some rest for the crew. We ended up having a "steel beach" picnic on the flight deck. The barbecue grills were out and ice cold sodas. The ship's band played live music as we soaked up the sun and enjoyed a day of relative quiet without the noise of jets overhead.
The best part of the day was "swim call." Swim call is unusual aboard a carrier but we had one and it was great. It was a rather neat thrill to jump from a lowered elevator no. 4 26 feet above the water. The line to go swimming made it all the way through the hangar bay.
The next day we started again with more strikes. Also on that day was my 36th birthday. Thank you all so much for the birthday wishes, cards and letters. One of our squadrons threw me a birthday party with cake and presents. It was really a surprise and made it feel more like home. Though I would have much preferred to be home and celebrate with my family. I even called my mother on my birthday which was great as it was the first time I had spoken with her since I left.
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 by AP Photographer David Martin
Rear Admiral Mark Fitzgerald recieved a second star this week. The Admiral hails from Winchester, MA - a great community located outside of Boston that enthusiastically supports those aboard TR, especially the Admiral and the PAO.
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Being the TV star in Southeastern Massachusetts the TV station was there recording the call. I'm not sure if I can handle the competition of another media hound in the family.
All else goes well. Our strikes are targeting more Taliban troop concentrations and I will tell you the video I am seeing from the aircraft is awesome. We are already seeing a significant breakdown in the Taliban's ability to operate in the country. We will stay as long as it takes.
The Secretary of the Navy paid a visit to us last week as well. It was treat for al of us. He is very personable and shows a deep concern for the welfare of our Sailors.
Talk to you all next week
Cheers
John "Spin" Oliveira
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 Collage put together by the Public Affairs Office of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) in the North Arabian Sea.
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Sent: Wednesday, October 31, 2001 2:49 PM
Subject: USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT WEEK 6
From: "Oliveira, John LT; Public Affairs Office
Hi everyone,
Well we are still here in the North Arabian Sea conducting operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. It has been 42 days since we left home and the strain of continuous operations is starting to show. Our determination and commitment is just as strong as it was when we left we are just a lot more tired at this point.
The air missions are very long sometimes going out to 6-7 hours to hit some of our targets and of course the rest of us feel the brunt as well with maintenance and I have been overwhelmed with reporters to the ship. Today we are finally getting a day off from flying to catch up on maintenance and get some crew rest in.
We have set up what we call a "steel beach picnic" for the morning. A little bit of America on the flight deck. Barbecue grills, hot dogs and hamburgers, some touch football and swim call. It's not often a carrier does swim call but it will be a welcome relief as I jump in form the elevator (about 26 feet from the water) and swim to the stern.
Since we left home we have flown over 2,500 sorties and around 1,000 of those have been combat missions. The crew continues on and we try to lighten things any way we can. Yesterday was Halloween and many of the doors were decorated and our mascot "the moose" was seen running around the ship handing out candy in a white sheet. These little things help make our lives easier and provide some levity to the very serious and dangerous business of running a carrier that we do every day.
My 36th birthday is coming up very soon (Nov 3) and it has been great to receive cards and packages from many of you. Thanks so much for your thoughts and wishes. My wish would be to be at home with you celebrating my birthday. I take great comfort in your words, thoughts and prayers and I thank the Lord every day for having so many wonderful friends and family. There are many times in our lives that we take that for granted and being out here away from all of you brings the importance of friends and family back into perspective.
A couple of things I would like to share with you that I received today. One is I have received a number of e-mails from my Sailors wives and parents telling me of the great job I am doing with my division. These letters mean a lot to me and even though my job is public relations it puts into perspective the fact that my primary job is taking care of these young men and women that work for me. They come first and I am very happy that they share hat with their families.
Secondly, as many of you know I have done hundreds of phone interviews around the country over the past six weeks and today I received a package from some 4th grade students at Saint Gregory's school in Dorchester, MA. They were all drawings and letters from these wonderful young kids. Their teacher had heard me on the radio in Boston and the class decided to write to me. Along with your letters it puts into perspective that we are out here for all of you defending America and our way of life. It is very easy sometimes to get focused on our jobs and lose the big picture. These gestures help keep me focused on why I am here.
Enclosed [above] is a collage we did that I think you will like. Please feel free to send it around. Take care and God Bless each of you.
Cheers
John "Spin" Oliveira
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 Destroyer USS McFaul
in the Indian Ocean at sunset.
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Sent: Thursday, October 24, 2001 Subject: TR Week 5
From: Public Affairs Officer (PAO) on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
Well as you can all imagine it has been one very long week out here. We have been extremely busy getting planes off the deck and bringing them home.
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Our missions have been very successful so far. Morale remains at an all-time high as our young men and women stay very focused on the job at hand.
Some of you may [k]now that we changed our workday. Our day now starts at 6:00p.m. and taps (light out) at 10:00 a.m. A bit weird having breakfast when you should be eating dinner. Since our work day does not match the calendar day its all very confusing and since we have gone to this schedule it seems like one long day with a bunch of naps in between.
Since we started our strikes we have been inundated with reporters from all over the world and of course we have been continuing to do phone interviews back to the states as well. If you know anyone in the news and they would like to do a phone interview with us please let them know my e-mail and I can set it up for them. I am always looking for ways to get our story out.
Apparently my efforts have been worthwhile, as I understand that TR has been dominating the news in many markets around the country. Sometimes it is a tough sell even to the guys aboard about the important role media play out here. It does let our families know how we are doing and lets the American people know the important role we play out here.
My shop has been very busy handling all their requests for interviews and shooting video for the ever-increasing news animal.
You would think we would be tired by now but we go on. Most of us working on 3-5 hours sleep a night (or day depending on how you look at it). If I could get some of these reporters I might be able to have the time to get in a plane soon.
We go on. The e-mails and letters from home help keep us going a lot. Now if I could just think of someway to get some Portuguese food out here I could bring a little of New Bedford to the Indian Ocean.
Through all this I have still managed to maintain my sense of humor and enjoy some of the nice things in life. Attached is a photo we took the other day. As we went outside after dinner we were sitting on the deck watching the sunrise as a destroyer lined up with it. It was the most beautiful sight. Even amidst the sounds of war we take the time to watch sunset or a sunrise, watch dolphins at play or the flying fish sweep across the ocean. It may not sound like much but it is one of those things that help keep us sane out here.
Well I know this a short a note this week and probably not very insightful but it's a bit busy and I am a bit tired. Please forgive me. I love hearing from all of you including Judy and Julie from Winchester who for some reason think I am a cute young thing.
Its great to talk to Amy as often as I do. At least I can hear her voice though and that gives me some reassurance though a hug would be really nice right now. I have spoken with my sister June and my cousin Penny a few times as well. I miss all of you and love you.
Take care until next week
John
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Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2001 12:20 PM
Subject: TR Week 4
From: Public Affairs Officer (PAO) on the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
Today I thought I was going to talk about our transit through the Suez Canal last weekend but tonight there is more important things on my mind and on the ship.
A few days ago we shifted our workday to a night schedule. That means we wake up at 6:00 p.m. and go to bed at 10:00 a.m. The shift for me has been easy as I was up late working with media back in the states. That's just a little bit of background. Let me tell you about my day.
I woke up after about 3 hours sleep at 5:00 p.m. Hit the stair stepper for about 20 minutes, took a shower and went to the office. After looking through my e-mails, a buddy and I went down to eat breakfast. A smoke and a cup of coffee on the sponson (an area open to the weather) rounded out my morning routine.
After that the day became different. At 7:30 p.m. our weapons guys started bringing up bombs and missiles to the hangar bay. A huge assortment of air-to-air stuff, and a lot of ground attack weapons including 2,000-pound bombs. The Captain and I went down so we could write a few choice messages on the sides of those bombs. A great time to take some photos and pump up the crew.
Some of the items we wrote were: From the "Big Stick" We remember the World Trade Center, for the NYPD, for the Fire Department New York, for the NY/NJ Port Authority, and remember the pentagon. After getting all this stuff on the side of one of those babies I had the CO sign his name on it. All the while about 300 Sailors had gathered around to watch us. The CO left and there I was amid all these weapons. So I wrote a few personal messages myself: From Spin (my call sign for those of you who didn't know) and Amy, From Spin and the Newsoms Volunteer Fire Department to Usama with Love, From Mayor Fred Kalisz, New Bedford, MA. (I thought you would get a kick out of that Fred). Then Sailors started asking me if they could do the same. In no time Sailors were writing all over the bombs their messages.
After about 30 minutes of this we cleared things up to get the weapons up to our flight deck. Though I had started the writing as a morale booster and a good photo op (being the PAO) it came to me that this was almost a soul cleansing experience for me and most of the Sailors who did it. It was our personal message to these terrorists that we will not forget, we will fight and we will prevail.
Then the day went on. Lunch rolled around and I sat down with a few of my close friends who were scheduled to fly our first attacks tonight from our decks. That's not what we talked about; we talked about sports and anything else to keep our minds off the upcoming missions. As we broke, me to go back to my office and they to go get briefed for their mission we shook hands gave each other a short hug and said "See you on deck." Our way of saying I'll see you when your flight gets back.
At 1:10 a.m. I found myself 6 stories above the flight deck on the signal bridge when I asked the Captain "Sir, Request permission to haul up the world trade center flag." He replied, "Permission granted." At which time I gave the order and the stars and stripes that flew over the rubble of the world trade center once again flew over the finest carrier in the fleet, this time with our catapults ready and planes loaded out heading into harms way.
Then I went down to the flag bridge to watch the launch with Rear Admiral Fitzgerald, our battle group commander. First we launched the tankers from VS-32 Maulers take off, then the F-14 Tomcats from VF-102 Diamondbacks and then F/A-18 from VMFA-251 Thunderbolts. The first two of those squadrons I fly with regularly. There they went shuttled down the catapult from 0-150 mph in 2.5 seconds into the blackness of space fully loaded with armed weapons.
As I stood there and watched, I could only say to myself "Godspeed guys and see you on deck." These are my friends, the guys I go have a beer or two with when we are in port, the guys that we share stories about our families with. As they went there was a very emotional moment. The anxiety, fear I felt for them as they went into harm's way, hoping I would see them on deck in 4 or 5 hours and then there was the pride, and exuberance that we were fighting back and the Navy was at the forefront.
Of course all this knowing I get to go with them in a few days on a mission. How will I feel sitting in that backseat? Guess that will have to wait but I know that we are all ready to do whatever job our nation asks of us. I need to stop for now as they fly the mission. I will finish this when I know they have all returned.
Well they are back on deck and another few more strikes will go off. As we sit in the Indian Ocean it's difficult to realize what we deal with everyday and for those of you back home who you have no idea and I really can't convey to any of you how it really feels to see your buddies going out with the possibility of never coming back.
I do know that we are ready and well trained to conduct our missions out here. Thanks for all the e-mails and letters of support. Talk to you all soon.
John
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 The flag in the foreground is the world trade center flag flown by the Firemen in NYC, signed by the Mayor and Governor and sent to war with the USS TR.
Night operations on the
USS Theodore Roosevelt
(CVN-71). Here an S-3B Viking.
. . .our weapons guys started bringing up bombs and missiles to the hangar bay. A huge assortment of air-to-air stuff, and a lot of ground attack weapons including 2,000-pound bombs. The Captain and I went down so we could write a few choice messages on the sides of those bombs.
 The PAO signs his bomb as "our personal message to these terrorists that we will not forget, we will fight and we will prevail."
On board the USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Indian Ocean.
 Night missions require particularly skillful flying and crewwork for the lauch and landing process.
Here an F/A 18 "Hornet" from VMFA-251 Thunderbolts launching off the flight deck during night ops in the Indian Ocean.
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Here is something tangible we can all do - make sure that the young men and women on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt know how much we all support them.
One way of doing that is by corresponding with them.
Here is the address from the Captain where people can write to "Any Sailor" . Those letters will be distributed to individuals on board. There is also e-mail address for the same purpose - so that everyone on board will get mail from home with messages of support and encouragement.
This way, the sailors will know we are behind them, and people here at home can begin a correspondence with "their" sailor. Please pass this message on.
E-mail to:
Address all letters to "Any Sailor"
The ANY SAILOR (postal) mail program has been SUSPENDED for the time being. If you already have a correspondence with a specific person, be sure the delivery and return names/addresses are clear.
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Monday, September 24, 2001
6:43 AM
Subject:
RE: You Do Us Proud
... The ship [USS Theodore Roosevelt] is eastward bound. Morale is high. We continue to train hard to be ready to answer any call. I appreciate the TRA's support as well as the messages of support we have received from all parts of the Nation.
Best wishes,
CAPT Rich O'Hanlon Commanding Officer
USS Theodore Roosevelt
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 Photo taken of USS Theodore Roosevelt showing the sentiments of its namesake
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... The men and women of TR will try our best to answer any call from the Nation to fight the evil that caused the events of 11 September. The ship has a strong tradition of excellence in operational matters that was forged by those who have led and manned this ship before us. The current crew has trained especially hard in all mission areas to be ready to deploy today. I hope that no matter what the future brings we will make our countrymen proud of those who crew this ship.
Continuing to carry the Big Stick,
CAPT Rich O'Hanlon
Commanding Officer
USS Theodore Roosevelt
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(10/1/01)
"Sunday was a an unbelievable day for us. We received the flag that flew over the World Trade Center. It was the flag raised by the three NY firefighters on Sept 11th. It was signed by Gov. Pataki and Mayor Guiliani. Well, we got it and I had the Captain and Admiral unfold it in front of our ship's firefighters, then they folded it back up and handed it one to another up 6 stories to the signal bridge, where we hoisted it to fly over the ship.
At that point about 1,500 of the crew had come up to the flight deck to see it and they broke into a rousing cheer as the flag was hoisted, then spontaneously broke into the National Anthem. It was truly a very proud and very emotional moment for me and the crew."
by LT John Oliveira, USN,
Public Affairs Officer,
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
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 LT John Oliveira, USN holds the US Flag raised in NYC on September 11th. The flag was flown from the USS TR's signal bridge
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Dear Capt. O'Hanlon,
On behalf of my family, I want you and the entire crew of the Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71 to know that our thoughts and prayers are with you as you sail to defend freedom and the United States during these very critical and dangerous times.
Words cannot express how proud we are of all of you and the wonderful way you and the ship have upheld and defended the most fundamental principles for which our country stands, and we know you will continue in this great tradition.
We are convinced that Theodore Roosevelt himself would certainly have one thing to say to you all: "Bully!"
Good luck and God bless America.
Tweed Roosevelt
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Dear Captain O'Hanlon,
As the senior member of our TR family, daughter of Ethel R. Derby , I add my sentiments to those of our united family and country in wishing you and your crew success. It has been a proud moment, in the midst of our anguish to know that our CVN 71 is heading into harms way.
Our hopes and prayers our cheering you on in what cannot fail to be a successful mission.
God Bless the USS Theodore Roosevelt and all aboard in your patriotism and your instant response.
I have never been prouder to be an American citizen.
Edith Roosevelt Derby Williams
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