USS Monterey Returns to Homeport After Completing JTFEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sandi Grimnes, USS Monterey (CG 61) Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Feb. 21, after completing Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) with the George H. W. Bush Strike Group.

"JTFEX provides training from the Strike Group Staff down to the individual ship," said Monterey Commanding Officer Capt. James W. Kilby. "It is scenario-driven and provided an opportunity for Staffs and ships to see events unfold more like they might as when they are deployed."

JTFEX is designed to test the Strike Group and coalition forces' ability to operate in a hostile environment in preparation for a combat deployment.

"The training we received during this Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and JTFEX was absolutely superb, from the individual exercises such as gun shoots, to the more complex, multi-ship events, like the opposed strait transit," he said. "It is the sixth COMPTUEX I have participated in and it has provided the best training I have seen."

The mission for Monterey's upcoming deployment is focused on her Ballistic Missile Defense capabilities, so she will not deploy with a Strike Group.

Even though Monterey will not deploy with the George H.W. Bush Strike Group, her crew participated in the COMPTUEX and JTFEX because one of the Navy's core missions is presence, Kilby said. That can be a single ship, multiple ships or a whole Strike Group, and Monterey must be ready to fit into a larger group at any time.

"I could not be more proud of this terrific crew!" said Kilby. "During a compressed training cycle, this crew has met every challenge and training opportunity head-on without complaint and they have excelled. I don't think you can find a single member of the crew who does not feel well-prepared or ready to meet the challenge of this deployment thanks to this exercise. COMPTUEX and JTFEX have really brought our crew together."

USS Columbus Returns to Pearl Harbor

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ronald Gutridge, Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

PEARL HARBOR (NNS) -- Los Angeles-class fast-attack nuclear powered submarine USS Columbus (SSN 762) returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam May 28, following a six-month deployment to the western Pacific region.

"This was an incredibly successful deployment with every mission accomplished superbly." said Cmdr. Dave Minyard, commanding officer, Columbus. "The crew's performance was outstanding and they executed exactly as trained."

"This deployment was challenging from beginning to end," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Hill, executive officer, Columbus. "I am extremely proud of the professionalism the crew demonstrated while conducting missions."

Columbus is the 51st Los Angeles-class submarine and the 12th improved version of this class, which includes a vertical launch system for Tomahawk cruise missiles and an improved hull design for under-ice operations. The ship completed a post shipyard availability in June 1994 in Groton, Conn. after initial construction and shakedown operations. In September 1994, the ship conducted an interfleet transfer to Pearl Harbor and joined the U.S. Pacific Fleet Submarine Force.

Eisenhower CSG Successfully Completes COMPTUEX

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) conduct the last launches of the Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). Dwight D. Eisenhower just completed the three-week Composite Training Unit Exercise in preparation for its upcoming 2010 deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher A. Baker/Released)

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) successfully completed a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX), Nov. 24, off the East Coast of the U.S. from Virginia to Florida.

The integrated training exercise began Nov. 2 and tested all warfare mission areas of the strike group's individual and combined forces.

"The exercise provided a realistic training environment that ensured effective and intense training," said Rear Adm. Phil Davidson, commander of the Eisenhower Strike Group. "As a strike group, we each bring our own strengths to the fight, and COMPTUEX give us the opportunity to make sure we can effectively work as a team."

Conducted by a training team led by Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL), COMPTUEX ensured that the collective forces of the Eisenhower CSG attained major combat operations certification and are ready for deployment.

"Throughout COMPTUEX, the group's performance increased each and every day," said Eisenhower Commanding Officer Capt. Dee L. Mewbourne. "It was an outstanding show of teamwork, and we are well prepared for any challenges we may face during deployment."

The strike group was assessed on their ability to execute the nation's maritime strategy. The task scenarios provided Sailors with experience for deployment as they operated together through strike warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, anti-air warfare, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions. The scenario has now evolved to include events focused on irregular warfare, counter-piracy, counter proliferation and associated maritime interdiction operations.

"It's about bringing everybody together to work toward a common goal," said Mewbourne. "We returned from a successful combat deployment in July. However, since then, the carrier alone has had more than a 10 percent turnover in personnel, and we have new ships as part of the strike group. COMPTUEX is that chance to sharpen our skills and ensure that we are ready for anything."

The exercise environment created scenarios that could reflect anything that could be expected during the actual deployment.

"We wanted the training to be realistic and challenging for all the ships and aircraft in the strike group," said Davidson, "so that when it comes time to perform in a real world environment, we execute our mission effectively and with the confidence that comes from experience. The Sailors in this strike group have proven without any doubt throughout this COMPTUEX that they have the ability to do extraordinary things."

Pre-deployment exercises give the Navy's strike groups operational experience so they are better prepared to achieve the goals of America's maritime strategy.

The Eisenhower CSG participants for COMPTUEX included the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69); Carrier Air Wing 7 (CVW); Destroyer Squadron 28; guided-missile cruisers USS Hue City (CG 66) and USS Normandy (CG 60); guided-missile destroyers USS Carney (DDG 64), USS Farragut (DDG 99), USS McFaul (DDG 74), USS Ross (DDG 71), and USS Barry (DDG 52).

Additionally, the new littoral combat ship USS Freedom (LCS 1) participated in several training events as part of its unit level qualification and pre-deployment certification process.