By Lt. Greg D. Raelson, Abraham Lincoln Strike Group Public Affairs
ABOARD USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike Groups participated in dual aircraft carrier and strike group operations off the coast of Southern California Aug. 7-11.
"The opportunity to conduct large scale, multi-unit training such as this shows the Navy's inherent flexibility and scalability," said Rear Adm. Mark Guadagnini, commander of Lincoln Carrier Strike Group. "The presence of two aircraft carriers sends the message that the United States values peace and stability in every region around the world."
The two carriers joined to conduct numerous exercises. During a large force strike exercise Aug. 7, Carrier Air Wing 2 and Carrier Air Wing 11 aviators conducted bombing on various ranges in California and Nevada where all six critical targets were destroyed. Other missions will focus on the integration of aircraft, ships, squadrons and staffs to include mine exercises, air defense, surface warfare and theater anti-submarine warfare designed to both protect ships against simulated attacks and to project power in multiple dimensions.
Lincoln and Nimitz strike groups bring to bear more than 140 combat aircraft, hundreds of surface-to-air and land-attack missiles, and surveillance range of thousands of miles when working together.
The seamless integration of the two carrier strike groups builds a common tactical picture by linking dozens of ships and aircraft, including the shore-based P-3C Orion and shore facilities in California.
"Integrating both strike groups gives the air wings and ships a more complex set of training objectives to hone their skills and to prepare them to combat threats together anywhere in the world," said Rear Adm. Robert Girrier, commander of Nimitz Carrier Strike Group. "These are core capabilities intrinsic to our Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower."
"The exercises not only prepare Lincoln for possible future missions on her upcoming deployment, but also increase the interoperability between both carrier strike groups and consequently enhance our operational readiness," said Guadagnini.
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is commanded by Rear Adm. Mark Guadagnini and consists of flagship USS Abraham Lincoln, embarked CVW-2, embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Cape St. George (CG 71).
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is commanded by Rear Adm. Robert Girrier and consists of flagship USS Nimitz, embarked CVW-11 and embarked DESRON 23.
