SAN DIEGO – Today, Rep. Scott Peters (CA-52) released the following statement after USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) returned to San Diego. USS Theodore Roosevelt’s deployment garnered nationwide attention earlier this year when crew members aboard the carrier contracted COVID-19. After an emergency disembark in Guam to clean the vessel and mitigate the outbreak, the ship’s sailors completed their deployment during which they participated in interoperability and partnership-building exercises with sister services and fostered freedom of navigation and commerce in some of the world’s most consequential waterways. Now, they will be returning home coronavirus-free.

“I met many of the sailors on board when I spent time on USS Theodore Roosevelt last November,” said Rep. Peters. “Their composure in the face of unforeseen crisis brought on by COVID-19 exemplifies the commitment, courage and tenacity for which our nation’s armed forces are known for. These servicemembers pledge their lives to protect us, and their return home is an uplifting reminder to celebrate victories in what has become a trying time for our country and world.”

There are no known cases of COVID-19 onboard USS Theodore Roosevelt or the other ships in its strike group. A testing process required two negative COVID-19 tests from every sailor to re-board the ship and another two negative tests from each while en route back to San Diego. With no positive cases recorded, the crew members will be able to reunite with their families without a mandated quarantine period. The returning sailors served with pride, professionalism and honor during their six-month deployment.