USS Theodore Roosevelt deploys off Yemen

MAYPORT, Fla. – Continuing conflict in the Middle East has prompted the Navy to shift the USS Theodore Roosevelt to the coast of Yemen.

The Roosevelt's Carrier Strike Group includes the Mayport-based USS Farragut.

The Navy said the move is in response to current stability in Yemen and is meant to strengthen the U.S. presence in the area.

When the Roosevelt trained off the Northeast Florida coast, it was the only time the entire Carrier Strike Group trained together prior to deployment. At the time, leaders said they have to prepare for anything, because the ship can be moved anywhere at a moment's notice -- just like what's happening now.

Test flights in January and February were designed to make sure the aircraft carrier and all of the other ships in the group were ready for any scenario they might face.

Retired Adm. Robert Natter said the move is a show of strength by the US.

"It's not only placing the forces there, it's sustaining them for months on end if we need to," Natter said. "That's where the real capability comes and is tested. It's significant."

Personnel with the USS Theodore Roosevelt posted pictures to the carrier's Facebook page Tuesday, showing the carrier with the USS Normandy in the Arabian Sea off the Yemen coast. In January, Rear Adm. Andrew Lewis, the commander of Carrier Strike Group 12, said there was potential for other kinds of conflict in the Middle East. He said that is why their training is so important.

"We have to be ready. We have to be ready to fight at what we call the high end," Lewis said.

The Pentagon has denied reports that the Roosevelt was being moved to stop Iranian ships that could be traveling to Yemen to arm Houthi rebels.

The Navy said in a statement that the purpose of the operations is to ensure vital shipping lanes in the region remain open and safe.

Natter said that the carrier group joining other Navy ships in the area is also a direct show of strength by the United States.

"Whether it is a deterrent to those individuals remains to be seen," Natter said. "Unless there is a willingness to use that force, it's just a threat."

In January, the commander of the Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group said that it's the unknown situations that will come up on deployments, much like this one, that are the reason they do the intense training day and night for more than a month, so that they know how to handle any situation.

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An EA-18G Growler attached to the Rooks of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) with USS Normandy (CG 60) alongside.