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Roosevelt Completes First Berthing Upgrade

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS101022-07
10/22/2010

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Sandra Pimentel, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Public Affairs

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (NNS) -- The Berthing Rehabilitation Team aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Oct. 18 celebrating completion of the first birthing space upgrade.

The ship is undergoing its Refueling Complex Overhaul (RCOH) period at Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Va.

The space is just one of 59 other spaces to be upgraded with a total project cost estimated at $7.3 million.

Through joint efforts between contractors and the ship's force, 1,525 racks out of a total of 2,704 were removed to make way for the new ones.

"Everything was ripped out," said Aviation Ordnanceman 1st Class (AW) Joshua K. Adkins, the Berthing Rehabilitation Team's leading petty officer. "The team has replaced the lockers, racks, rack lights, mirror lights, tables and new trilogy modules for electronics."

Some berthing spaces are slated to receive all new changes, including lounge areas equipped with small couches and love seats.

"It's like moving into a new home," said Cmdr. Jim R. Lavin, TR's weapons officer."

Lavin said this turnover signifies the ship is nearing the end of its ongoing RCOH period.

Northrop Grumman will continue to turn over spaces to the ship's force as the work is completed.

"We're taking back the ship one space at a time," said Lt. Joshua A. Thompson, G3 division officer and habitability division officer.

Thompson said with the new upgrades and renovations, the quality of life should greatly improve for TR Sailors.

"The Sailors who are part of this renovation take pride in the ownership of this job," said Thompson.

Adkins said the estimated completion date for all berthing spaces is May 2012, in preparation for TR Sailors' official crew to move aboard.

Once the berthing spaces are complete, the team will turn to the rehabilitation of all magazine spaces aboard TR. With team effort the TR is sure to make a swift and timely return to the fleet.

The RCOH is an extensive yard period that all Nimitz-class aircraft carriers go through near the mid-point of their 50-year life cycle.

During RCOH Theodore Roosevelt's nuclear fuel will be replenished and the ship's services and infrastructure will be upgraded to make her the most state-of-the-art aircraft carrier in the fleet and prepared for another 25 years or more of service.