JTFEX 07-02 'Operation Bold Step' Proves Interoperability

USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER, At Sea (NNS) -- Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 07-2 "Operation Bold Step" is now complete and demonstrated the ability of the U.S. Navy to operate jointly with partner navies around the globe.

"Operation Bold Step" began July 26 with Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, Truman Carrier Strike Group and the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious (R06) operating jointly with as many as 30 ships and more than 15,000 Sailors and Marines from five different nations.

"The foundation of international maritime security is a network of navies, coast guards and law enforcement authorities from like-minded, freedom-loving nations all committed to the peaceful use of the world's oceans and seas. International coalitions with these common values will help defeat terrorist groups, leaving them no place to hide and no path to exploit for their purposes," said Rear Adm. Philip Hart Cullom, Commander, Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group.

The exercise is a "graduate-level" exercise to ensure U.S. and coalition forces can work together, deploy on short notice, and scale up as a combat capable force anytime, anyplace needed around the world.

"A coalition JTFEX like 'Operation Bold Step' reinforces this global network for security while testing a coalition's ability to rapidly aggregate as a force to deter aggression, yet also respond with precision, speed, and power if necessary," said Cullom.

Cullom stated that "although the training in JTFEX is primarily "naval" in nature, our actions at sea in this exercise are focused on joint inter-service objectives since our real world operations today are inherently joint in nature, where our objectives at sea and those on land are inextricably linked."

"There is great synergy in a multinational joint force," said Cullom. "The innovative things we are trying during this JTFEX will greatly enhance our agility and speed of response in future operations whether it is in response to natural disasters, stopping piracy, providing rapidly scalable combat power, or expressing international resolve in the early stages of any conflict."

There have been early successes of the Eisenhower and Truman Strike Groups and the Illustrious Strike Group. Most notably, there was the successful landing of a Marine MV-22 Osprey on the deck of Illustrious. Additionally, the Royal Navy ship continues to lead a strike group of U.S. Navy destroyers and frigates, along with a squadron of U.S. Marine AV-8B "Harriers" during JTFEX.

According to Cullom, "This exercise shows we have the ability to adapt our coalition team to produce a flexible and capable force, able to meet the full spectrum of Maritime Security scenarios at a time or place of our collective choosing. JTFEX is not just an exercise. It is an opportunity to demonstrate that we can adapt to the ever-changing maritime security environment."

JTFEX 07-2 concluded on July 31 off the coast of North Carolina and Florida.

Truman Conducts JTFEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kenneth R. Hendrix, USS Harry S. Truman Public Affairs

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the "Red Rippers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, sits on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as Sailors get ready for the first cycle of night flight operations. Truman is underway in the Atlantic Ocean participating in Operation Bold Step where more than 15,000 service members from three countries will participate in the Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFX) in preparation for deployment to the Persian Gulf. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ricardo J. Reyes.

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN, At Sea (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 started procedures for Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) "Operation Bold Step" on July 26 off the Southern Atlantic coastline.

More than 15,000 service members from four countries are taking part in the pre-deployment, sustainment training, sea trials exercise that is being called "Operation Bold Step." The two countries participating on the blue team are the United States and United Kingdom. In addition; Peru and Chile are participating on the red team.

"Operation Bold Step" is aimed at providing realistic training environments for the U.S. and coalition forces, mimicking the operational challenges routinely encountered during military operations around the world.

By and large the purpose of the training exercise is to ensure military forces are prepared to support any mission and are ready for deployment on short notice.

Truman's commanding officer Capt. Herman A Shelanski said exercises like JTFEX help the Navy attain the Chief of Naval Operations' goal of a "1,000-ship navy" by working with our ally countries.

"What's unique about this now is that we are learning how to operate together in a training cycle," said Shelanski, "which allows us to work out any type of inconsistencies up front."

In the past, ships would typically deploy to areas like the Mediterranean Sea, Persian Gulf or north Indian Ocean and just start operating with no kind of prior training with one another, said Shelanski.

"By operating with our allies now, we are learning how to do things before hand, which is really important for real world operations," Shelanski added.

Aboard Truman, the Combat Direction Center (CDC) is the epicenter where all the battle decisions are made during the exercise allowing crew members to rehearse interoperability and to confirm their coalition bilateral and interagency lines of communication.

Lt. Mark Domenico, ship's weapons coordinator of Operations Department, OI division, is training to become a CDC Tactical Action Officer (TAO).

"The biggest thing is reading the message traffic," said Domenico. "Every day you read message traffic to get a visual representation in your mind of how things will go and play out."

Domenico said by reading the message traffic report he is able to do his job successfully and ensure the aircraft are safe from enemy tactics.

In a scenario depicting an actual hostility, Domenico coordinates with the TAO and weapons operator to launch weapons in self-defense.

Domenico explained that operations specialists' ability to track combat tactics, keeping personnel like the TAO and up to date "makes my job very easy."

"They are able to keep the picture accurate and [their] updates enable us to operate and fight effectively during major combat and high-end deterrence operations," Domenico added.

CCSG-10, Rear Adm. William E. Gortney shared that the operations specialists manning the Global Command in Control System Maritime are the decision-making capability, and without an accurate and true picture the admiral could not make his decisions, said Operations Specialist 2nd Class Phillip Cosentino, Operations Department, OI Division.

In CDC -- from the admiral to the TAO -- they all want to see a picture relative to where the ship's position is to "ally forces, assumed enemies and anything unknown," said Cosentino.

"By knowing that information, it allows them to plan our mission or attacks, so that's very critical," Cosentino added.

As many as 30 ships make up three carrier strike groups playing a part in JTFEX, enhancing the preparedness of all personnel to jointly respond to threats.

Shelanski credits the more than 5,000 Sailors on board Truman for launching the pilots off the ship.

"We can't do it without any one of those Sailors," said Shelanski. "Therefore, they have to be trained, know their job and be motivated, which is the reason why we do exercises like this."

Harry S. Truman Strike Group consists of CSG 10, CVW 3, DESRON 26, guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66), guided-missile destroyers USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), and the fast-attack submarine USS Montpelier (SSN 765). The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Manchester (D 95) is also apart of the strike group.

Dwight D. Eisenhower strike group consists of CSG 8, CVW 7, DESRON 28, guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68), guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Cole (DDG 67), the guided-missile frigate USS Kauffman (FFG 69) and the fast-attack submarine USS Boise (SSN 764).

The Royal Navy Illustrious Strike Group consists of the guided-missile cruisers USS Monterey (CG 61) and USS San Jacinto (CG 56), the guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG 64), and the guided-missile frigates USS Nicholas (FFG 47) and USS Simpson (FFG 56).

U.S. Marine Corps pilots from Marine Fighter Attack Squadrons 223, 542, and 513 are embarked on HMS Illustrious (R 06), flying AV8-B Harriers from Marine Air Groups 13 and 14.

Other Navy ships taking part in JTFEX are guided- missile destroyers USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), and USS McFaul (DDG 74); along with the guided-missile frigates USS Stephen W. Groves (FFG 29), USS John L. Hall (FFG 32), USS McInerney (FFG 8) and USS Robert G.Bradley (FFG 49).

Additionally U.S. Air Force assets are participating in the exercise to include F-15 and KC-135 aircraft.