The crew of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) held a change of command ceremony in the ship’s hangar bay, July 21.
Capt. Craig Clapperton relieved Capt. Daniel Grieco, who served as Theodore Roosevelt’s (TR) commanding officer from February 2013 to July 2015.
Rear Adm. Andrew Lewis, commander, Carrier Strike Group 12, provided remarks as the ceremony’s keynote speaker. Lewis presented Grieco with the Legion of Merit for meritorious service while serving as Theodore Roosevelt’s commanding officer.
Taking command amidst the ship’s midlife overhaul, known as refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH), Grieco successfully ushered Theodore Roosevelt through its extensive refit and returned the ship to the fleet as an operational aircraft carrier. Since leaving RCOH, Theodore Roosevelt has steamed more than 107,000 nautical miles and successfully conducted more than 16,000 launches and recoveries. CVN 71 is now a front line asset on deployment in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.
Following the award presentation, Grieco and Clapperton then read their orders, in keeping with Navy tradition, officially changing command.
Theodore Roosevelt is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.
Image: US Navy