By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW/AW) Jeremy Freehling, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) completed a three week-long Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) May 16.
Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL) embarked TR for COMPTUEX, providing the mission, assisting in problem-solving techniques, and evaluating the strike group's performance. CSFTL prepared the geo-political environment and the various battle problem scenarios that the strike group had to overcome.
"Our objective was to build as realistic an environment as possible, that would test every possible scenario the strike group might face while deployed," said Capt. John Rodriguez, CSFTL strike warfare officer. "We wanted to challenge the strike group on all levels with each battle problem that was presented, and allow the warfare commanders the opportunity to learn from each other after the event had ended."
Each battle problem varied in degrees of difficulty, and tested TRCSG in different ways. Each problem involved surface, sub and air defense scenarios that tested the communication and teamwork of all the Sailors in the strike group. As the battle problems progressed, they became longer and the time allowed to react and make decisions decreased.
COMPTUEX also dealt with different political structures and how to properly handle them without escalation. With every problem, intelligence and communication data was presented to TRCSG, but it was the responsibility of the commanders and Sailors to interpret the information and make the appropriate decisions.
"As COMPTUEX progressed, we provided less and less intelligence to the strike group, and the battle problem evolved, based on the warfare commander's decisions," said Cmdr. Bill Seaman, CSFTL maritime operations officer.
During the exercise, CSFTL noted that TRCSG responded efficiently and effectively to the events presented to them.
"Hats off to the officers and Sailors of TRCSG for the effort they have put forth when presented with these battle problems," said Cmdr. Kyle Ketchum, CSFTL air defense officer. "Everyone has worked together to get the most out of the events and learn from their mistakes."
"During COMPTUEX, every Sailor demonstrated great teamwork and support for each other in successfully completing the tasks at hand," said Rear Adm. Frank Pandolfe, commander, TRCSG. "Everyone in the strike group showed fantastic leadership qualities along with communication skills that contributed to the successful completion of each battle problem. We shined in every area, particularly the integration of the air wing with the carrier. Everyone involved was thoroughly impressed with how we do business."
Both CSFTL and the strike group realize that having an exercise such as COMPTUEX is one of the few ways to test the warfighting capabilities of a strike group.
"The members of CSFTL may not know everything, but we have seen everything," said Rear. Adm. Don Quinn, CSFTL commander. "We put this knowledge to the test when creating this exercise. TRCSG has been successful during this exercise because of the positive attitude and teamwork they have demonstrated over the past few weeks."
Each prior event's lessons and mistakes were taken into account and applied to assess future missions. Throughout the exercise, intelligence and communication within the strike group was vital.
"COMPTUEX helped strengthen us in every area," said Pandolfe. "The exercise was creative, demanding, and required a superb effort by both CSFTL and TRCSG, to accomplish what we did. As a result we are now a stronger and sharper group, and we can use these skills in the future."
