Washed Clean….and Almost Renewed….

Washed clean….and almost renewed….

PHILIPPINE SEA (June 1, 2020) – United States Navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) transits the open ocean….passing through typical tropical downpours in the early morning hours….

….scrubbing much of the outside of the ship clean.

                                 USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71)

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The supercarrier is continuing to ramp-up to full fighting readiness following nearly two months of quarantine in Guam to rid the ship of a massive COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak among its crew.

Roughly a quarter of the crew of nearly 6,000 men and women tested positive for the virus at the worst of the outbreak. One crewmember, Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr., USN, age 41, died of complications from the coronavirus.

In respectful memory of  Aviation Ordnanceman Chief Petty Officer Charles Robert Thacker Jr., USN

The memory – and conspicuous absence – of Chief Thacker will be an enduring reminder aboard this huge warship of the perils of even the most microscopic of threats – a microbe.

But, knowing Sailors like I do (having either lived among or been one of them for a half-century), he will also be a rallying point for a crew trying to restore their ship to its very best. I have no doubt Chief Thacker would have wanted nothing less….

….as his spirit, rest-assured, sails along with his shipmates aboard this capital warship nearing a full-recovery from the coronavirus.

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A brief Sea Story:

Back in my own U.S. Navy ship-driving years, safety and operations permitting, the Captain would allow those of us controlling the ship to “chase” rain showers on the open ocean….to give the ship a precious fresh water washdown.

This would save the deck crew endless hours of toil in the often broiling tropical heat and humidity….and wash the ship clean of salt, dirt and other airborne corrosives. It was especially helpful keeping exterior hard-to-reach electronics systems – like radars and fire control systems – clean of those corrosive elements.

And it was a heck of a lot of fun for us professional ship-drivers since it provided some excellent maneuvering (picture ship-driving) training.

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>>Top photo: Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Julian Davis, USN