PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Carrier Strike
Group (CSG) 11 successfully completed its final pre-deployment
assessment, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), April 21,
marking the completion of its condensed Inter-Deployment Training
Cycle (IDTC) for an upcoming deployment.
COMPTUEX is an exercise that tests a strike group's ability to work and
operate as one cohesive unit in a simulated real-world-scenario based
training environment.
Nimitz was joined by CSG 11, to include Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9
and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, to prove their operational capabilities prior
to deploying.
Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, said COMPTUEX is
designed to put a strike group through the highest level of training that we
can possible give. This allows them to go forward around the world and do
anything that our country would ask them to do.
Throughout the exercise, the strike group encountered an environment that
mirrored, as closely as possible, what they may encounter while deployed
in future areas of operation.
"Considering that the past five weeks have been the first time that the
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has trained together at sea in more than three
years, we did extremely well," said Commander, CSG 11, Rear Adm. Bill
Byrne. "We did a lot of high velocity learning."
Nimitz, during the COMPTUEX, became the first carrier strike group to
implement the use of the Fleet Warfighting Training System Live, Virtual,
Constructive (LVC) training concept. LVC allows for the synthetic virtual
environment to be integrated with the live environment, providing a more
comprehensive and realistic training environment.
LVC can create scenarios that involve higher complexities and stress the
strike group to its max capabilities, leading to more proficient strike groups
and fighting forces while better preparing them for what they may encounter
while deployed.
The COMPTUEX was broken up into two separate phases.
Phase I closely followed a schedule of events (SOE) that acted as a training
phase for Sailors and watchstanders. Phase II provided the strike group with
a scenario that didn't follow an SOE, and is more realistic.
"Some of it might be in a synthetic environment, some is live, but overall it is
designed to really challenge the strike group," said Tyson. "This is so that,
from Rear Adm. Byrne, to the youngest Sailor on the deck plates, everyone
feels confident that, if you have to go into any scenario where you are tested
to the highest end of your capability, you will be able to comfortably go and
succeed."
The COMPTUEX challenged and trained the strike group on all levels including
the Sailors on the deckplates.
"I believe the training was invaluable," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
2nd Class Traci Allen, Combat Systems' Electronic Warfare (EW) Module
Supervisor, and a native of Chattanooga, Tennesee. "We finally got the chance
to work with our whole strike group and figure out our battle rhythm. The
experiences we gained will follow us over the horizon when we take to open
water. Nothing and no one can take that away from us."
Commander, CSG 15, Rear Adm. Ross Myers and his staff acted as the grading
entity for the COMPTUEX. They observed the Sailors aboard Nimitz and
throughout the strike group as they reacted to scenarios that they may face on
deployment and determined their proficiency to operate in a real-world
environment.
"CSG 15, our trainers and assessors, presented an enemy and warfighting
environment that was both relevant and realistic," said Byrne. "This is the
best training scenario I've seen in my 30 years of working these types of
battle problems. That sort of competitiveness, initiative, and toughness I saw
across the strike group is exactly what the Chief of Naval Operations asks of us."
With the completion of COMPTUEX, the Nimitz carrier strike group is now
fully certified to deploy later this year.
"We are going to be tested. We need to go forth confident that we will be
competitive enough and that we will be tough enough to prevail. I have no
doubt that Nimitz Strike Group is both," said Byrne.
Group (CSG) 11 successfully completed its final pre-deployment
assessment, Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), April 21,
marking the completion of its condensed Inter-Deployment Training
Cycle (IDTC) for an upcoming deployment.
COMPTUEX is an exercise that tests a strike group's ability to work and
operate as one cohesive unit in a simulated real-world-scenario based
training environment.
Nimitz was joined by CSG 11, to include Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9
and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, to prove their operational capabilities prior
to deploying.
Vice Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, said COMPTUEX is
designed to put a strike group through the highest level of training that we
can possible give. This allows them to go forward around the world and do
anything that our country would ask them to do.
Throughout the exercise, the strike group encountered an environment that
mirrored, as closely as possible, what they may encounter while deployed
in future areas of operation.
"Considering that the past five weeks have been the first time that the
Nimitz Carrier Strike Group has trained together at sea in more than three
years, we did extremely well," said Commander, CSG 11, Rear Adm. Bill
Byrne. "We did a lot of high velocity learning."
Nimitz, during the COMPTUEX, became the first carrier strike group to
implement the use of the Fleet Warfighting Training System Live, Virtual,
Constructive (LVC) training concept. LVC allows for the synthetic virtual
environment to be integrated with the live environment, providing a more
comprehensive and realistic training environment.
LVC can create scenarios that involve higher complexities and stress the
strike group to its max capabilities, leading to more proficient strike groups
and fighting forces while better preparing them for what they may encounter
while deployed.
The COMPTUEX was broken up into two separate phases.
Phase I closely followed a schedule of events (SOE) that acted as a training
phase for Sailors and watchstanders. Phase II provided the strike group with
a scenario that didn't follow an SOE, and is more realistic.
"Some of it might be in a synthetic environment, some is live, but overall it is
designed to really challenge the strike group," said Tyson. "This is so that,
from Rear Adm. Byrne, to the youngest Sailor on the deck plates, everyone
feels confident that, if you have to go into any scenario where you are tested
to the highest end of your capability, you will be able to comfortably go and
succeed."
The COMPTUEX challenged and trained the strike group on all levels including
the Sailors on the deckplates.
"I believe the training was invaluable," said Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
2nd Class Traci Allen, Combat Systems' Electronic Warfare (EW) Module
Supervisor, and a native of Chattanooga, Tennesee. "We finally got the chance
to work with our whole strike group and figure out our battle rhythm. The
experiences we gained will follow us over the horizon when we take to open
water. Nothing and no one can take that away from us."
Commander, CSG 15, Rear Adm. Ross Myers and his staff acted as the grading
entity for the COMPTUEX. They observed the Sailors aboard Nimitz and
throughout the strike group as they reacted to scenarios that they may face on
deployment and determined their proficiency to operate in a real-world
environment.
"CSG 15, our trainers and assessors, presented an enemy and warfighting
environment that was both relevant and realistic," said Byrne. "This is the
best training scenario I've seen in my 30 years of working these types of
battle problems. That sort of competitiveness, initiative, and toughness I saw
across the strike group is exactly what the Chief of Naval Operations asks of us."
With the completion of COMPTUEX, the Nimitz carrier strike group is now
fully certified to deploy later this year.
"We are going to be tested. We need to go forth confident that we will be
competitive enough and that we will be tough enough to prevail. I have no
doubt that Nimitz Strike Group is both," said Byrne.