USS Theodore Roosevelt, At Sea (NNS) -- The ships and airwing of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) returned to Norfolk April 9, following a group sail. TR, USS Monterey (CG 61), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Nitze (DDG 94), USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) and Carrier Airwing (CAW) 8 completed a three-week group sail in preparation for their upcoming deployment.
The Strike Group participated in several evolutions including air defense training, unit integration training, logistical training, air and surface warfare training and carrier qualifications.
"I am very proud of our team," said Rear Adm. Frank Pandolfe, Commander, Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group. "The energy and skills demonstrated by our Sailors were tremendous. We accomplished a great deal of very valuable training."
In addition to the myriad training required by the schedule, units were afforded time to complete critical Unit Level Training (ULT) events. These events included seamanship, mobility, self-defense, engineering and combat systems exercises designed to complete crew training requirements.
As part of the ULT exercises, TRCSG units conducted refueling at sea operations, towing exercises, search and seizure exercises, general quarters drills, and crew-served weapon live firing events. The completion of these key training elements allows TRCSG to move on to more advanced integrated training.
"The Unit Level Training was a big success," said Lt. Kenneth Myrick, Destroyer Squadron 22 intelligence officer. "It was important for us to be successful because we [need to prepare] ourselves as a Strike Group. It is important for us to be able to work together as a team instead of as individual ships. We were very successful at doing [both] this underway."
The successful integration of the TRCSG ships was matched by the superb performance of CAW 8. This was the airwing's first extended underway with TR.
"One of the major challenges we faced from an airwing perspective was the completion of multi-role missions," said Lt. j.g. Michael Tremel, assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron 31. "I think we did a great job as an entire Strike Group; now we just need to continue to mesh together and continue to work as a team."
With this group sail completed, TRCSG is now preparing for their upcoming Composite Training Unit Exercise, the next qualification in the pre-deployment phase.