By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Richard J. Stevens, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (NNS) -- The Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and its crew of more than 290 Sailors, departed Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Feb. 14, for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) as part of the USS George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.
Truxtun traveled to Fort Lauderdale for a liberty call after completing a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), which tested unit-level and individualized warfare skill sets through a variety of simulated scenarios.
"We're experiencing a sample of the operational tempo for deployment," said Cmdr. Ron Walker, USS Truxtun executive officer.
During the port visit, the Fort Lauderdale and Broward Country Navy Leagues hosted a ceremony for more than 125 Sailors from Truxtun and USS Mitscher (DDG 57).
"It's always a great experience to be with Sailors," said Larry M. Ott, Fort Lauderdale Navy League member. "The Navy is standing watch for the peace of our country, and the defense of the world."
The Navy League of the United States is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating citizens about the importance of sea power to U.S. national security and supporting the men and women of the sea services and their families.
"Their hospitality was outstanding," said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Jason R. DeShields. "It meant a lot to me and my shipmates to have folks with great spirits welcome us. Thank you for the great evening before we start JTFEX."
JTFEX tests the capability of a carrier strike group to operate with multinational forces in a joint environment.
"Now that COMPTUEX is complete, we are focused on applying proven tactics and lessons learned toward the challenges and tasks ahead in JTFEX," said Walker. "We also have an added focus of ensuring our coalition partners are folded into the mission, and this is what makes a JTFEX truly joint on a multi-national level."
Along with USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), GHWB Strike Group assets participating in COMPTUEX/JTFEX include USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Anzio (CG 68), the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, the Spanish frigate ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbón and the French frigate FS Primauguet (D 644). GHWB Strike Group is scheduled to depart on its first overseas deployment this spring
