The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, cross San Diego Harbor to return to homeport at Naval Air Station North Island after successfully completing composite training unit exercise. U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Mass Communication Specialist Spike Call (Released) The officers and crew of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CCSG) 7, and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 returned to San Diego April 7, following completion of the ship's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) that took place off the coast of Southern California.
Ronald Reagan, CCSG 7 and CVW-14 commenced the 22-day exercise March 17 shortly after departing the carrier's homeport of San Diego.
Rear Adm. James P. "Phil" Wisecup, commander, Carrier Strike Group 7, said he was impressed with the way the different components of the strike group worked together to conduct operations during COMPTUEX.
"I couldn't be happier with how the team is coming together," said Wisecup. "We're training hard to protect the freedom of the seas, deter our adversaries, and, if deterrence fails, take action in support of our nation's interests—all key elements of our Maritime Strategy."
COMPTUEX is an exercise designed to train embarked staffs, ships, and air wing that make up the carrier strike group to function as one highly effective fighting force. The exercise consists of two distinct phases and was evaluated by Commander, Strike Force Training, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Phase I of COMPTUEX included a detailed schedule of events (SOE) designed to provide specific task training and evaluation for the carrier strike group and warfare commanders. Phase II, also known as the final battle problem, consisted of a real-world type exercise with no pre-planned SOE.
Wisecup added, "We're not done yet. We still have another phase of tough operations to get us ready for deployment."
Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer said he was also impressed with the working cohesiveness exhibited by Sailors assigned to the ship, air wing and embarked staffs.
"This exercise stressed our ship-airwing team in every warfare area," said Kraft. "I'm extremely proud of the effort and obvious results during this exercise. All hands performed superbly."
