USS Theodore Roosevelt docks in San Diego

The USS Theodore Roosevelt is finally back home. The nuclear carrier docked in San Diego on July 9 after what can be described as one of its most unforgettable deployments.

The Teddy Roosevelt left port on Jan. 17 to conduct operations in the Indo-Pacific and maintain security and stability in the region.
Along the way, the Navy said it made a historic port visit to Da Nang, Vietnam, only the second time a U.S. aircraft carrier has visited the country since the Vietnam War, to commemorate 25 years of U.S.-Vietnam diplomatic relations.

But soon after, while at sea, there was an outbreak of coronavirus aboard the ship, and in early March it pulled into Guam ahead of what the Navy said was a scheduled port visit. But word of the outbreak leaked to the media through an email by then Commanding officer Captain Brett Crozier who was pleading for help. But Acting Navy Secretary at the time, Thomas Modley pushed back, even making a personal trip from DC to Guam, where he berated Crozier in an address to the crew over the ship's PA system,

"It was my opinion, that if he didn't think that information was going to get out into the public, in this information age that we live in, then he was A, too naive or too stupid to be the commanding officer of a ship like this still relieved of his command.

Guam played a big role in the recovery of the sailors, Governor Leon Guerrero approved the use of local hotels to quarantine the overflow of service members. The ship was finally able to push off and get back to its mission on June 4. But the fate of Crozier was sealed after A further investigation by the Navy. 

"And it's my belief that both admiral baker and captain crozier fell well short of what we expect from those in command," Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael Gilday said. "He thought the accommodations in the gym that were six feet apart, he didn't like that. That's one of the reasons he didn't send people ashore at speed. Because he wanted the hotel rooms. the reason crozier sent the email was when he sent it he felt we weren't moving fast enough on the hotels, but based on what I just said those wheels were well in motion."

Meanwhile, upon the TR's return home, current commanding officer Captain Carlos Sardiello is quoted as saying, "The crew of TR persevered, displaying uncommon fortitude and tenacity in the face of uncertainty to meet expectations in a crisis."