USS Theodore Roosevelt Scoops Equipment to Prep for Overhaul

By MC2(SW) Bonnie Williams, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) began a shipboard coordinated off-load and outfitting plan (SCOOP) at Naval Station Norfolk June 15.

The SCOOP process involves unloading all shipboard equipment, furniture and tools not welded, wired or piped into place.

"Things that we can use again will be kept; everything else will be [disposed of]," said Chief Machinist's Mate (SW/AW/SS) Michael Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt's (TR) maintenance, material and management coordinator.

Everything on the ship must be accounted for and inventoried to be placed in storage or transferred to the floating accommodation facility (FAF) before the scheduled 40-month refueling complex overhaul (RCOH) in October at Northrop Grumman Newport News shipyard.

"We've been planning SCOOP since January, and all departments are ready to begin this process," said Lt. Cmdr. Karen Dallas, TR's principal assistant for logistics and primary SCOOP coordinator.

A team of 100 Sailors from every department aboard the ship will be issued specialized computers to inventory equipment from their respective departments. Departmental personnel will pack the material and hand it over to civilian contractors for the move.

"Each department has its own SCOOP coordinator who is in charge of making sure the equipment is [in good working condition] and that it is accounted for properly with the computers," said Dallas.

The medical department will be the first to have equipment removed from the ship, followed by the supply department.

"It's important for medical to SCOOP their equipment first, as they need to have services for the crew set up on the FAF," said Dallas. "Supply will move next to provide meals on the FAF."

SCOOP will be the largest evolution conducted by the ship before it enters RCOH. Despite the immensity of the job, TR Sailors are more than ready to handle it.

"I think it will be great," said Dallas. "Everyone is excited and being proactive to get all the material off the ship. All hands have been actively involved in ensuring the process [goes well]."

Naval station visitors may experience slight delays in transiting near the naval station's waterfront with the additional equipment movements.

"Motorists are encouraged to use alternate routes as we anticipate traffic delays along Decatur, said Lt. Jeff Eidenberger, a security officer at Naval Station Norfolk.