Kennedy Strike Group Conducts Composite Training Unit Exercise

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Ships and aircraft of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are in the midst of their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

The exercise, which began Feb. 21, is scheduled to run through mid-March, and will use the Virginia Capes and Jacksonville, Fla., operating areas and training ranges along the East Coast and Gulf Coast of Florida. Additionally, the exercise will involve complex strike group training events, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground events.

COMPTUEX is an intermediate-level exercise designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive fighting team and is a critical step in pre-deployment training.

“This training exercise will test the response level of almost every facet in this strike group,” said Capt. Michael Collins, Commander, Carrier Group 4 operations officer. “It will test everyone on deck.”

The Carrier Strike Group is making use of the following ranges for air-to-ground events during the exercise: Townsend, Ga.; Pinecastle, Fla.; Avon Park, Fla.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Piney Island, N.C.; and Dare County, N.C.

John F. Kennedy is the Navy’s third carrier strike group to exercise using these ranges as part of the comprehensive Training Resource Strategy (TRS). Under this plan, ships and aircraft will use existing East Coast and Gulf Coast range training facilities and improved simulation technology now available to the fleet.

In implementing the TRS, Atlantic-based carrier strike groups train among existing training ranges and facilities throughout the region. Throughout COMPTUEX, the John F. Kennedy strike group will demonstrate that the Navy is enhancing its training flexibility and effectiveness through geographical and technological diversification.

“We create events that force the strike group to integrate and react as a unit,” said Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Joel Krauss, Carrier Group 4’s TLAM strike officer. “This is their first chance to operate as a single unit and react to real-world situations.”

Commanded by Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, Commander, Carrier Group 6, the JFK CSG is comprised of the Mayport, Fla.-based ships John F. Kennedy, commanded by Capt. Ronald H. Henderson; the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69); the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80); the destroyer USS Spruance (DD 963); the fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3), homeported in Earle, N.J.; the attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769), homeported in Groton, Conn., and Carrier Air Wing 17, commanded by Capt. Mark D. Guadagnini, embarked aboard USS John F. Kennedy.

For related news, visit the Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c2f.

040229-N-4374S-008 Florida Coast (Feb. 29, 2004) – Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Jon Garth, assigned to the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15), mans a .50 caliber machine gun aboard an HH-60H Seahawk during a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) exercise over the coast of Florida. The “Red Lions” are currently embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), designed to prepare ships and aircraft in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040229-N-4374S-006 Florida Coast (Feb. 29, 2004) - Aviation Warfare Systems Operator 2nd Class Wes Vinson, assigned to the “Red Lions” of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron One Five (HS-15), monitors his surroundings for any visual contacts aboard an HH-60H Seahawk during a Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) exercise off the coast of Florida. The “Red Lions” are currently embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which is designed to prepare ships and air wing in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for future deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040227-N-4190W-001 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 27, 2004) – Aviation Machinist's Mates install a drain on an F/A-18C Hornet engine in the Jet Shop aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy and her carrier strike group are conducting a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), an intermediate exercise designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive fighting team and a critical step in pre-deployment training. U.S. photo by Photographer's Mate 3rd Class Christian Weibull. (RELEASED)

040226-N-4374S-005 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 26, 2004) – An F-14B Tomcat assigned to the “Jolly Rogers” of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) launches from the number one catapult during the flight operations aboard John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The aircraft carrier is off the coast of Florida conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) to prepare the ships and aircraft in the Carrier Strike Group (CSG) for future deployment. U.S. Navy Photograph by Photographer’s Mate 2nd Class Michael Sandberg. (RELEASED)

040224-N-7695R-002 Atlantic Ocean (Feb. 24, 2004) – A F-14 Tomcat assigned to the "Jolly Rogers" of Fighter Squadron One Zero Three (VF-103) makes an arrested landing on the flight deck aboard USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67). The Kennedy and her Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are conducting a Composite Training Unit Exercises (COMPTUEX) in preparation for an upcoming deployment. U. S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Anthony Riddle. (RELEASED)

Fine looking troops! If you were to happen to look further this day, you would also be aware of some additional "fine looking troops" just arriving in Korea ---- training!!! ???

I found some info under the following URL. The article I reference is titled BSSG-3

http://www.mcbh.usmc.mil/news/Mar5A4.pdf

Thanks. Turns out it was CSSG-3, but I found it easily enough. My guess would be this really is a training excercise, but not for some hypothetical situation. We still have combat on the DMZ. I expect we'll need to step up our forces in the near future. The world is so focused on Iraq, most people forget the rest of the world. As long as it's not taking place in their livingrooms, they can pretend it isn't taking place at all. They think our troops have done nothing but train for 30 years. No real action. I don't know what they think the reason is that we've been able to live in peace here. Maybe they think it's just dumb luck. I'm sure the liberals think it's because of the kindness of dictators. /rant

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