USS Theodore Roosevelt crew test positive for COVID-19
Three crew members aboard the USN’s Nimitz-class USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for coronavirus and have been evacuated from the ship.
The aircraft carrier was sailing in the Pacific Ocean when the diagnosis was made.
Thomas B Modly, Acting Navy Secretary, said: ‘We’ve identified all the folks they’ve had contact with and we’re quarantining them as well… This is an example of how we are able to keep our ships deployed at seas and underway, even with active COVID-19 cases. Our forces remain on watch throughout the world [during] this crisis.’
In other news, the USNS Mercy hospital ship docked in Los Angeles on 24 March, with 1,128 military and civilian personnel ready to reduce the burden placed on local health authorities as they prepare for an influx of coronavirus cases.
More from Defence Notes
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.