NAS Jacksonville Hosts COMPTUEX

By Clark Pierce, Jax Air News

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville flight line hosted several aircraft representing "simulated hostile air forces" intent on penetrating the defenses of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Strike Group during the annual Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in January.

The exercise represented a critical training opportunity that evaluates how well its ships and aircraft operate together to nullify threats from air, surface, submarine and information warfare.

"You won't see a more interesting mix of military and civilian aircraft outside of an air show," said Bill Meyer, NAS Jacksonville airfield facilities manager. "We're hosting Super Hornets, Skyhawks, NATO E-3 AWACS, Hawker Hunters, Kfir F-21s, E-2 Hawkeyes, some Lear jets, a Gulfstream G-1, and C-2 Greyhounds."

Through its 21-day series of graded exercise scenarios, COMPTUEX measures the battle readiness of the strike group for its upcoming deployment. Key to the strike group's work-up cycle, it means long days (and nights) of flight operations on board both NAS Jacksonville and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69).

The strike group is comprised of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Destroyer Squadron 28, guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Mason (DDG 87), Los Angeles-class submarine USS Newport News (SSN 750) and fast-combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8).

Carrier Air Wing 7 includes Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron 125 "Tigertails," Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103, VFA-131 "Wildcats," VFA-143 "Pukin' Dogs," VFA-83 "Rampagers," Electronic Attack Squadron 140, "Patriots," and HS-5 "Nightdippers" from NAS Jacksonville.