[MilCom] Truman & Her Strick Group

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  Truman Strike Group Preps for any Contingency during Exercise
Story Number: NNS090701-08
Release Date: 7/1/2009 3:39:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeff Troutman, USS Harry S. 
Truman Public Affairs

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Harry S. Truman Strike (HST) 
Group, comprised of approximately 7,500 Sailors and Marines, is engaged 
in a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), a three-week 
evolution, designed to enhance the training and skills of crew members 
in preparation for an upcoming fall deployment.

COMPTUEX is a multi-week, intermediate-level exercise required of each 
carrier battle group before departing for a seven-month deployment. The 
exercise brings ships and aircraft together to prepare to project force 
as a battle group in the interest of global maritime security and 
protecting the nation's homeland security.

"COMPTUEX is a key fundamental training block that allows Sailors to 
improve their readiness," said Rear Adm. Patrick Driscoll, commander, 
Carrier Strike Group 10. "That enhances our overall effectiveness. When 
we successfully complete COMPTUEX, we will be surge capable and ready to 
deploy in the event of an emerging contingency."

In the event of a contingency or threat, COMPTUEX will enable the strike 
group to respond in an effective manner and help set the conditions 
necessary for proper security and prosperity, thereby directly 
contributing to the defense of our homeland.

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) has completed numerous at-sea evolutions 
since the beginning of the year in preparation for a 2009-2010 
deployment. In addition to being the ship's lengthiest sea trial before 
deployment, COMPTUEX will be the first evolution during which Truman and 
other strike group ships train together as a cohesive battle unit.

Capt. John Meier, Truman's executive officer, said the integration of 
the strike group is vital to the training necessary for Truman's success 
during COMPTUEX.

"The basic overall goal of the COMPTUEX exercise is really for us to 
demonstrate our ability to operate as an integrated strike group," said 
Meier. "This is how we will fight, how we will go into combat and how we 
will go into harm's way. We will be going into these scenarios with all 
of our strike group's assets, so it's important we train with all our 
assets."

Driscoll said COMPTUEX is different from prior sea exercises by its 
heightened degree of training and level of focus.

"This will be the most intense training we get as a strike group before 
we deploy," said Driscoll.
"Commander, Second Fleet Vice Admiral Mel Williams and Commander Fleet 
Forces Training Atlantic Rear Admiral Garry White and their staffs are 
very focused on training the HST carrier strike group and are providing 
numerous aircraft, ships and fast boats to act as opposition."

"The ability to protect the carrier, which is the great power projection 
unit for the Navy, is the key role of practicing our air defense," said 
Meier. "We work with all the units of the strike group to ensure the 
protection of this high-value target. It's all about how we 
interoperate, how we communicate and how we fight as a strike group."

Successful completion of COMPTUEX will certify Truman and Carrier Air 
Wing (CVW) 3 as qualified for open ocean operations. It's not only a 
critical step in the pre-deployment training cycle but a prerequisite 
for the battle group's joint task force exercise (JTFX), Meier added.

To achieve that success, the battle group will need to rely on the key 
to success in any military strategy -- its people.

"COMPTUEX and CSG operations are a team sport," said Driscoll. "The 
Sailors are top-notch and highly-skilled, and I know they're going to be 
combat ready. My hope is we will leave COMPTUEX with a strong team and 
we will understand each warfare command's strengths and their efforts to 
the overall fight."

CSG-10 is made up of the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman; its embarked 
air wing, CVW 3; embarked Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 26; the guided 
missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) the guided missile destroyers USS 
Carney (DDG 64), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Winston S. Churchill 
(DDG 81); and the attack submarine USS Norfolk (SSN 714). Also 
participating in the exercise are frigates USS Stephen S. Groves (FFG 
29) and USS McInerney (FFG 8).

CVW-3 consists of Strike Fighter Squadrons 32, 37 and 105; Marine 
Fighter Attack Squadron 312; Electronic Attack Squadron 130; Airborne 
Early Warning Squadron 126; Carrier Logistics Support Squadron 40; and 
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 7.