The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group steams through the Atlantic Ocean in formation during the strike group's composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX). COMPTUEX provides a realistic training environment to ensure the strike group is capable and ready for its upcoming scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Fire Controlman 1st Class Nathan Rathjen The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) completed the blue phase of Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) July 17.
COMPTUEX is a series of graded exercise scenarios intended to evaluate and prepare the strike group for its upcoming deployment. Rear Adm. Donald P. Quinn, commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic, who led the exercise, toured the ships in the strike group and visited with Sailors who will deploy this fall.
"Its nice to see that an admiral is taking the time to come out to sea and look at what a hard job we are doing here on the ship," said Yeoman 3rd Class John Stevens, a Sailor assigned to USS Ramage (DDG 61).
"It makes me feel like we have a reason for working harder, knowing that the people in charge of the training missions are seeing our efforts."
This exercise is key in the strike group's work-up cycle.
"COMPTUEX is the last part of the integrated training for every strike group. In the case of ESGs, they get synthetic training pierside where they work up and develop some teamwork. They work on communications and information systems. We come to see and validate those procedures that we develop synthetically," said Quinn.
"The ESG is on track to qualify. Like every strike group, there are strengths and weaknesses. This group is doing very well. There are some things they'll want to work on or improve on before going on cruise, but in general they're doing very well in all of the seven primary mission areas."
Ramage's Command Master Chief (AW/SW) Gerald Coulson explained why the admiral took the time to visit the Sailors in the strike group.
"This was a chance for the Sailors to see that the leaders who conduct these training exercises care about them and know the long hours spent are for a greater cause. It has let the Sailors know that the leaders care about what they are doing and how they are doing."
Quinn attributed much of the success of COMPTUEX to the attitudes of Sailors.
"This ESG has been particularly strong in attitude when working through some tough problems. There are challenges always in the schedules and maintenance of the various ships and units that come here. Getting your people where they need to be in time and then getting all of the complex computers, radios and systems together, the group has been very good at working through this."
With the completion of the Blue Phase, the Iwo Jima ESG will now participate in the Green Phase of COMPTUEX, followed by participation in the USS Theodore Roosevelt's (CVN 71) upcoming Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 08-4.
The Iwo Jima ESG consists of Ramage; the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) with the embarked 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU); the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); all homeported at Norfolk; the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), homeported at Mayport, Fla.; and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768), homeported at Groton, Conn.