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Command of USS Theodore Roosevelt changes hands

01 November 2019

From AN D.J. Schwartz, USS Theodore Roosevelt

Capt. Brett Crozier relieved Capt. Carlos Sardiello during a change of command ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier in San Diego, Nov. 1.

SAN DIEGO - The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) held a change of command ceremony on the ship's flight deck, Nov. 1.

Capt. Carlos Sardiello turned over the role of commanding officer to Capt. Brett Crozier.

Guest speaker Vice Adm. DeWolfe H. Miller III, commander, Naval Air Forces, praised the achievements of Theodore Roosevelt and its crew under Sardiello's leadership.

"Suffice it to say that Capt. Sardiello is a leader who leads by example and inspires others to exceed even their own expectations," said Miller. "He excels at leading Sailors - the lifeblood of our ships. He takes care of his people and sets them up for success."

During his speech, Sardiello thanked and attributed his success as commanding officer to his crew, known as the "Rough Riders."

"We are fortunate for each sailor, officer or enlisted aboard because they are just plain amazing, are all essential, and all play an important role in our team's success," said Sardiello.

Sardiello assumed command of Theodore Roosevelt in July 2017 and successfully led the crew on a deployment in support of Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve which included over 50,000 miles sailed, and more than one 1,000 combat sorties that dropped 159 weapons on target.

Following the combat deployment, Sardiello oversaw Theodore Roosevelt as it successfully completed an arduous maintenance availability period 25 days early. Sardiello also led the ship through exercise Northern Edge 2019 in the Gulf of Alaska operating area, marking the first time in 10 years that a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier participated in the exercise.

In his parting words to the crew, Sardiello again thanked everyone aboard under his leadership and praised the work that they accomplished.

"We could not be more proud of the accomplishments through the blood, sweat, and tears of joy and pain that have been invested over the past two and a half years on TR," said Sardiello. "It has been an honor to serve as the 15th commanding officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt."

Sardiello is a native of Fremont, Calif., and is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, class of 1990. He previously served as the executive officer aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and commanding officer aboard USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) before taking command of the Coronado-based carrier.

Sardiello now heads to Commander, Naval Air Forces command.

New commanding officer, Capt. Crozier, from Santa Rosa, Calif., previously served as the executive officer aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) before assuming command of the U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19). He has also made multiple combat deployments in support of U.S. operations including Southern Watch and Iraqi Freedom.

"Men and women of Theodore Roosevelt, you have dedicated yourselves to an incredibly noble cause, choosing not what is easy, but what is right and just in the service of our great nation; to be ready for combat and always guarantee our peace," said Crozier while addressing the crew for the first time. "You are doing it on the greatest warship in the world, and I am proud to be serving alongside you as we sail wherever our nation requires in the coming years."

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