Friends and family members watch an air show on the flight deck of a ship.

Friends and family members of sailors assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt watch an air show on the flight deck on Aug. 8, 2026. (Aaron Haro Gonzalez/U.S. Navy)

STARS AND STRIPES

Published August 10, 2026

Nearly 2,000 friends and family members of USS Theodore Roosevelt set sail in the waters off San Diego on Saturday, getting a firsthand look at the aircraft carrier’s operations and life aboard.

Capt. William Mathis, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt, said the cruise gave sailors an opportunity to show their loved ones what life is like underway.

“This event showcases the talent, pride and professionalism of our sailors aboard Theodore Roosevelt,” said Mathis, in a service news release.

While underway, guests participated in ship tours and interactive demonstrations, and they witnessed an airpower demonstration on the flight deck featuring F/A-18 Super Hornets and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters from Carrier Air Wing 11, the release said.

Friends and family members watch an air show on the flight deck of a ship.

Friends and family members of U.S. Navy Sailors, assigned to Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt watch an air show on the flight deck, Aug. 8, 2026. (Tyler Harstad/U.S. Navy)

An aircraft flies by people on a ship.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 25, launches off the flight deck during a friends and family day cruise hosted by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Aug. 8, 2026. (Aaron Haro Gonzalez/U.S. Navy)

A helicopter shoots flares in the sky.

U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopter, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75, shoots flares while flying over the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt during a friends and family day cruise, Aug. 8, 2026. (Tyler Harstad/U.S. Navy)

An aircraft emerges from a cloud in the sky.

A U.S. Navy F-35C Lightning II, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 86, conducts a flyby during a friends and family day cruise hosted by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Aug. 8, 2026. (Tyler Harstad/U.S. Navy)

An aircraft flies against a blue sky.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron 154, conducts a flyby during a friends and family day cruise hosted by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Aug. 8, 2026. (Tyler Harstad/U.S. Navy)

Two helicopters shoot flares in the sky.

A U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 8, left, and an MH-60R Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 75, deploy flares during a friends and family day cruise hosted by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Aug. 8, 2026. (Aaron Haro Gonzalez/U.S. Navy)

An aircraft flies against a blue sky.

U.S. Navy E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to Airborne Command and Control Squadron 115, conducts a flyby during a friends and family day cruise hosted by Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Aug. 8, 2026. (Tyler Harstad/U.S. Navy)

In June, Theodore Roosevelt led U.S. participation in the biennial Rim of the Pacific maritime exercise in Hawaii. The five-week exercise brought together 31 nations, with about 40 surface ships, five submarines, 140 aircraft and more than 25,000 personnel participating, according to the U.S. Navy.

The carrier has been operating and training along the West Coast since early this year. It completed its last major deployment in October 2024, returning to its homeport of San Diego after 278 days at sea.

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