USS Theodore Roosevelt marks 250,000th arrested landing milestone, US Navy looks to buy foreign, used ships.

May 10, 2024 by Dylan Mayasov

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) achieved a significant milestone on March 19, 2024, completing its 250,000th successful arrested landing.

U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brandon Miller, operations officer of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, made the historic landing aboard an F/A-18F Super Hornet during routine operations in the South China Sea.

The accomplishment of reaching 250,000 arrested landings is a testament to the carrier’s ability to operate effectively and consistently in international waters since its commissioning. The arresting gear on the carrier plays a critical role in flight operations, handling extreme demands with precision and reliability. The crew’s dedication to maintaining this high-performance equipment ensures the carrier’s continued success in supporting aviation missions.

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Mark Jolly, leading chief petty officer of the aircraft launch and recovery equipment (ALRE) team, highlighted the team’s resilience and dedication in maintaining the arresting gear. Despite challenges such as being undermanned and working long hours in hot spaces, the ALRE team’s commitment to excellence has been unwavering.

To commemorate this milestone, Captain Brian Schrum, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt, and Rear Adm. Christopher Alexander, commander of Carrier Strike Group Nine, joined the ALRE team and crew for a celebration. However, the crew quickly returned to their duties, emphasizing their ongoing commitment to ensuring the carrier’s operational readiness.

The successful completion of 250,000 arrested landings demonstrates the Theodore Roosevelt’s capability to operate anywhere, anytime, sending a strong message to allies and adversaries alike about the Navy’s proficiency and readiness.

A legislative proposal presented by the U.S. Navy could pave the way for the acquisition of foreign, used vessels to enhance sealift capabilities, offering a cost-effective solution to bolster readiness, according to the Inside Defense.

The proposal, discussed by Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti during a recent House Armed Services Committee Navy budget hearing, seeks to increase the Secretary of Defense’s authority to acquire such vessels to recapitalize the Ready Reserve Force.

“The proposal increases the Secretary of Defense’s authority to acquire foreign-built, used vessels, to support effort to cost-effectively recapitalize the Ready Reserve Force,” a Navy spokesperson told Inside Defense.The potential acquisition of foreign, used cargo ships represents a pragmatic approach to swiftly augmenting the military’s sealift capacity at a fraction of the cost of constructing new vessels. With the current age of ships in the fleet averaging around 45 years, well beyond their expected lifespan, the need for modernization is evident.

A key consideration in favor of purchasing used ships is their affordability compared to new builds. A Roll-on/Roll-off (RO/RO) ship with 15 years of service, roughly halfway through its expected lifespan, can be acquired for approximately $60 million, significantly less than the $500 million cost per hull for a new vessel. While new ships offer longer service life, the budgetary constraints faced by the Navy necessitate exploring alternative options to maintain readiness.

The Navy’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget underscores the prioritization of readiness over modernization, reflecting fiscal realities and the imperative to sustain operational capabilities amid constrained resources. This strategic shift emphasizes the importance of cost-effective solutions to meet operational requirements and ensure the Navy’s ability to fulfill its mission in an evolving security landscape.