Thunderbolts storm to USS Roosevelt

Photo By Cpl. Sarah Cherry | Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, also known as the Thunderbolts, deployed to the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71, March 8. While aboard the Roosevelt, the Thunderbolts plan to travel across the globe as the carrier changes homeports from Norfolk, Va., to San Diego, Calif., to become the rotational carrier for the U.S. Third Fleet.  

BEAUFORT, SC, UNITED STATES

03.13.2015

Story by Cpl. Sarah Cherry 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 251, also known as the Thunderbolts, deployed to the USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN-71, March 8.

While aboard the Roosevelt, the Thunderbolts plan to travel across the globe as the carrier changes homeports from Norfolk, Va., to San Diego, Calif., to become the rotational carrier for the U.S. Third Fleet.

The 31 year-old carrier is fondly known as the Big Stick in reference to Roosevelt’s foreign policy to “speak softly and carry a big stick.”
“We have put in ten months of hard work to get to this point, and we’re ready,” said Lt. Col. Josh Riggs, commanding officer of VMFA-251.

The USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76 currently located in San Diego, Calif., which is scheduled to relocate to Yokosuka, Japan.

“I’m excited about the extent to which I’ll be able to do my job,” said Cpl. Ashley Akey, a Thunderbolt aviation ordnance technician. Her husband, Jeremy Cansler, said he’s going to miss her but he’s also happy for her.

“I’m glad she’s going to be able to do what she joined the Marine Corps to do – support the guys on the ground,” said Cansler.

The Thunderbolts most recent deployment was aboard the USS Enterprise CVN-65 for its last voyage, March 2012 to November 2012.

VMFA-251 has deployed to CVN-71 before, but not since 2001. That year, they toured the Arabian Sea in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, returning to the Air Station in March the following year.

This deployment of USS Carrier Strike Group Theodore Roosevelt echoes back to the actions of its namesake, President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1907, Roosevelt sent the Atlantic Fleet of 16 new battleships on a world tour, covering 43,000 miles, 20 ports and six continents.

This show of Naval force, like Roosevelt’s historical one, aims to strengthen relations with allies and partners, create allies of neutral countries, and stare down the rivals of the United States of America.

• Date Taken: 03.13.2015
• Date Posted: 03.13.2015 12:07
• Story ID: 156925
• Location: BEAUFORT, SC, US