Truman SUSTAINEX Exercise Update #2

As I reported on June 3 the USS Harry S Truman, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, and CVW-3 are underway in the Atlantic for a SUSTAINEX prior to their deployment later this year.
http://mt-milcom.blogspot.com/2013/06/truman-strike-group-underway-for.html

Carrier Strike Group TEN currently maintains the combat readiness of ten Norfolk based ships, seven aviation squadrons, and two command staffs: USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), Commander Carrier Airwing THREE (CVW 3), VMFA-312 Checkerboards, VFA-32 Swordsmen, VFA-37 Raging Bulls, VFA-105 Gunslingers, VAQ-130 Zappers, VAW-126 Seahawks, HSC-7 Dusty Dogs, USS Normandy (CG 60), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), Commander Destroyer Squadron 26 (COMDESRON 26), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81), USS Gravely (DDG 107), USS James E. Williams (DDG 95), USS Elrod (FFG 55), and USS Kauffman (FFG 59).

Our field reporters in the central Florida area - Jack and Mike have passed along the following frequencies/call signs recently monitored from this op. Many thanks to both of them for sharing their intercepts with our readers.

3152.0 kHz USB HF Air Defense Net - Hotel Charlie/Hotel Whiskey

120.950 FACSFAC Jax South
133.950 FACSFAC Jax North
136.875 Opfor Air-to-Air

225.350 Pinecastle Range - Range Impact (Strike Shot Common)
225.725 116ACW/Secure
226.050 Feddie/Secure Button 5?
228.300 Air-to-Air (probably an Oceana based squadron)
228.975 Air Ops
233.675 RAGIN Tac / HAMMER 31-33 / Secure / RAGIN 25-26
233.925 Air Ops
233.975 Air Ops
234.950 Air Ops
236.075 Air Ops
236.875 Air Ops
238.275 HEARTLESS 21-24 / 207
238.975 CWC Air Warfare Commander E-2C w Hotel Whiskey
242.225 CHECK / GYPSY with TORENO; CANYON / RAGIN 35 for FREEDOM TORCH control / OMEGA 2
250.300 Air Ops
251.600 Air Ops
263.500 Air Ops

264.625 Avon Park N Tac Range

267.500 FACSFAC Jax South

273.550 Jacksonville ARTCC

278.250 Strike
279.275 CANYON with TRAVELER / CLOSEOUT / HEAT 24 / GYPSY 71 with GOLF
281.075 GYPSY Tac / GYPSY 71-72
281.725 Air Ops
284.050 Air Ops
284.500 FACSFAC Jax Warning Area A/G Advisory
289.200 Pinecastle Range R-2910 Range Air Control
289.425 CANYON Tac / HAMMER 11-12 air-air
290.850  CHECK Tac?

292.200 Avon Park Range Ops

292.800 Air to Air
293.850 FIGHTING TIGER 711 calling CLOSEOUT / CLOSEOUT / HEAT 43 with WARRIOR / GYPSY fragged for FREEDOM TORCH  /RAGIN 25 with MIKE
300.225 Have Quick Mickey

307.250 Jax Center

310.825 “5 miles”
311.000 MacDill AFB / BOLT AR BOOM
312.150 Jax NAS TDY
318.600 Air Ops (Is this a possible new FACSFAC Jax freq?)

324.650 Secure
333.300 Air to Air
336.100 "established Avon, what is the weather down there?" / AR
336.125 GYPSY  Tac / ZAPPER 05
339.975 Air Ops
343.275 Aerial Refueling Boom
348.125 HOTEL ZULU? / CLOSEOUT / DAUNTLESS 25-26 / HEARTLESS 41
351.800 Jax Intl App/Dep
349.650 Air Ops
354.450 Air Ops
357.000 Air Ops
360.375 REP?
360.525 TANKER COMMON / 405
361.375 Air Ops
364.075 KNIGHT 31 calling MUSTANG / PANTHER 12 with MUSTANG / PANTHER 15, ARROW 11 RTB
367.475 Air Ops
367.525 Air Ops
369.050 RAGIN 41 / SCREAM 21-22
369.350 CANYON Tac
370.975 Positive Identification and Radar Advisory Zone (PIRAZ) Red Crown
378.775 Air Ops
379.775 HOTEL ROMEO – Button 8 / BOLT 09 / OMEGA 1

Callsigns:
Arrow ## Unknown
Bolt ## 6AMW KC-135 tankers
Canyon ## VFA-105 (F/A-18E)
Check ## VMFA-312 (F/A-18)
Closeout 6## VAW-126 (E-2C)
Dauntless ## Unknown
Dusty ## HSC-7 (MH-60S)
Fighting Tiger 711 USN P-3C
Freedom Torch Unid USN Warship
Gypsy ## VFA-32 (F/A-18F)
Hammer ## Unknown
Heat ## Unknown
Heartless ## Unknown
Hotel Charlie Unid CWC Warfare Net (typical seen on HF on 3152 kHz on East Coast)
Hotel Quebec CWC C2 Warfare Commander
Hotel Romeo CWC
Hotel Whiskey CWC Air Warfare Net Commander  (NCS usually on Aegis equipped warships)
Knight ## Unknown
Mustang ## Unknown
Omega ## Omega Air Inc N974VV (AD9470)
Panther ## Unknown
Ragin ## VFA-37 (F/A-18C)
Rawhide VRC-40 (C-2A Det 1)
Red Crown
Scream ## Unknown
Traveler Unknown
Toreno Unknown
Zapper ## VAQ-130 (EA-18G)
Tango E-2C
Unknown HSM-74 (MH-60R)
Warrior Control Unknown

Reports, updates, additions and corrections are always appreciated to the email address in the masthead.

Truman Strike Group Underway For SUSTAINEX

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HST CSG) is underway June 5 for a final sustainment exercise (SUSTAINEX) before their upcoming deployment.

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) departed Naval Station Norfolk earlier this week along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3 and 1st Combined Destroyer Squadron staff, have joined guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56), USS Gettysburg (CG 64) and guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) and USS Mason (DDG 87) for the exercise. The cruisers and destroyers departed their homeports of Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Station Mayport May 31.

The ships and embarked units training together are focusing on maritime security operations, air defense, counter-piracy and anti-submarine warfare.

"We've worked very hard to maintain our combat readiness these past few months," said Rear Adm. Kevin Sweeney, commander, Carrier Strike Group 10. "It's wonderful to be back at sea, training as an integrated strike group in a complex environment like we expect to see on deployment."

The exercise is similar to the composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX) the strike group completed earlier this year. Exercises such as SUSTAINEX and COMPTUEX ensure strike groups are trained and certified for an overseas deployment.

Harry S. Truman Strike Group Participates in Sustainment Exercise

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

USS HARRY S. TRUMAN , At Sea (NNS) -- The USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) and key elements of its carrier strike group (CSG) recently completed a successful sustainment training exercise (SUSTAINEX) in preparation for its next deployment.

The carrier, Carrier Air Wing 3 and destroyers were at sea from Jan.20 to Feb.1 to take part in the exercise which serves as a key training element for keeping the strike group trained and ready.

"After Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in September, we were completely trained up and ready to go on cruise," said Cmdr. Chris Rankin, air operations officer. "When the deployment date slid we had to figure out a way to maintain our readiness."

"We ran it like a mini JTFEX," said Cmdr. Joe Gadwill, strike operations officer. "We worked with other ships within our own strike group as a coalition. It's called SUSTAINEX, because we are sustaining our readiness."

SUSTAINEX is a recertification evolution designed to test the capabilities of the carrier strike group. It evaluates how ships work together in a variety of tactical situations and ensures the strike group and its crew are ready for deployment.

"One of the main reasons we are out here is to get our COE [Combat Operations Efficiency] recertification," said Gadwill.

"What COE means is the carrier and air wing are proficient enough to operate without being in range of a divert field," said Rankin. "A lot of the time on deployment, we are either in the middle of an ocean where a divert field is too far away or we are off the coast of a hostile land where divert fields are not available."

The exercise calls for HST CSG to deal with real-life combat situations and fight off simulated attacks.

"The other ships are playing simulated bad guys," said Rankin. "They have a plan to come out and attack HST CSG. We have to engage them and actually demonstrate we can protect the ship in that kind of environment."

Plenty of Sailors were glad to be back out to sea and felt the SUSTAINEX evolution was a great success, including Capt. Nelson Castro, chief of staff for Carrier Strike Group 10.

"First, after spending the last few years in the joint community, it's great to be back at sea," Castro said. "With respect to the SUSTAINEX, I was just inspired by the strike group Sailors and Marines and their efficiency, professionalism and discipline throughout the exercise."

With the completion of SUSTAINEX, HST CSG remains fully trained and ready to deploy anywhere in the world when called upon.

The HST CSG is comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), with its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing( CVW) 3, Commander, Strike Group 10, and embarked Destroyer Squadron 26 staff, guided missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60); guided missile destroyers USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79) and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81).

CVW-3 consists of Strike Fighter Squadrons VFA-32, VFA-37, VFA-105 and VMFA-312; Tactical Electronics Warfare Squadron VAQ-130; Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron VAW-126; and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron HS-7.

Stennis Strike Group Commences SUSTAINEX

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) departs San Diego after a scheduled port visit to embark Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9. John C. Stennis and CVW-9 are participating in a strike group sustainment exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Josue L. Escobosa/Released)

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Elliott Fabrizio, USS John C. Stennis Public Affairs

USS JOHN C. STENNIS, At Sea (NNS) -- The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group departed San Diego to begin a sustainment exercise (SUSTAINEX) Nov. 6.

USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) will participate in the SUSTAINEX with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG 54), guided-missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG 100) and USS Milius (DDG 69).

Strike group assets will integrate and train together in their main mission areas of maritime security operations, air defense and anti-submarine warfare for the first time since completing their western pacific deployment in July.

SUSTAINEX maintains the strike group's operational proficiencies, so the strike group can meet the Navy's need for available carrier presence.

"We keep certain carriers around that will respond to a crisis first," said Capt. Joseph Kuzmick, Stennis' commanding officer. "That's where John C. Stennis sits right now. Every few months during that time we have to refresh our readiness to respond around the world."
Sailors will work on qualifications and practice operations - many of which can't be performed in port or when the strike group assets are separated.

"You can't just bring an air wing out to a carrier and expect them to work perfectly together," said Kuzmick. "We're going to exercise our tactics, techniques and procedures to make sure that we all coordinate correctly. The strike group staff will exercise operational control over their assets, and the individual units will learn how to work tactically again with each other. We're basically honing the edge on the blade."

SUSTAINEX is scheduled for two weeks. Maintaining a combat ready strike group is part of America's maritime strategy to be prepared for a immediate response to safeguard America's interests.

Ronald Reagan Strike Group Completes SUSTAINEX

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The crew of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) completed its sustainment exercise (SUSTAINEX) and returned to Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Mar. 26.

The Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier completed SUSTAINEX along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14, the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), the guided-missile destroyers USS Howard (DDG 83) and USS Gridley (DDG 101) and the guided-missile frigate USS Thach (FFG 43).

SUSTAINEX is the last coordinated exercise involving the ships of Carrier Strike Group 7 prior to its upcoming deployment later this year.

"It was a great underway for our Sailors," said Capt. Kenneth Norton, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "Even though we had been apart for a few months, it didn't take long for the Ronald Reagan-Air Wing 14 team to start humming like a well-oiled machine."

According to Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate Equipment (AW/SW) Robert Everson of the ship's Air Department, Ronald Reagan conducted more than 1,000 launch and recoveries of aircraft, all while preparing hundreds of new Sailors for their first deployment aboard.

"This underway has prepared them a great deal," said Everson. "With the turnover since last deployment, we have a lot of new Sailors. It gives them a little bit of a vision of what they're going to be facing in the months to come."

SUSTAINEX put the ships together for several coordinated evolutions, including maritime security operations (MSO) and testing air defense and anti-submarine warfare proficiencies. The exercise also proved very valuable from a command-and-control standpoint.

"There were some skills we had to fine tune early on, but all units quickly came on step, and we were able to achieve all training objectives," said Capt. William Nault, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 7. "I have full confidence that we are ready to deploy."

For the flagship, one key qualification was achieved. According to Capt. Thomas Lalor, Commander, CVW-14, USS Ronald Reagan and CVW-14 have requalified as blue-water capable, meaning the ship can now sail into deep waters and conduct flight operations.

USS Ronald Reagan is the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 7 and the ninth of ten Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carriers. The ship is named for the 40th president; its motto, "Peace through Strength," was a recurring theme during the Reagan presidency.

DESRON 9 NSFS Certified, Ready to Support Maritime Strategy

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Sean Gallagher, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9, part of the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, completed Naval Surface Fire Support(NSFS) recertification, Feb. 5, off the coast of San Clemente Island.

Having re-attained this certification allows the destroyers USS Shoup (DDG 86) and USS Momsen (DDG 92) to support the nation's maritime strategy by coming to the aid of forces ashore under enemy fire.

NSFS is an exercise in which destroyers and cruisers train to fire deck guns ashore in support of ground troops.

"This exercise is an important test of a ship's firing capabilities," said Lt. Lawrence Repass, a Chicago native and prospective training and readiness officer for DESRON 9. "There is a slim margin of error involved with firing over the heads of friendly forces and the point of this is to ensure ships can hit their targets without endangering civilians or our troops."

According to Repass, the exercise began in January when the Expeditionary Warfare Training Group Pacific (EWTGPAC) visited Shoup and Momsen. EWTGPAC monitored the skills of the ships' firing teams, ensuring that they were ready for the test at sea.

The live test was a scenario-based exercise in which Shoup and Momsen fired their five-inch, 62-caliber guns at practice targets. The destroyers were presented with the challenge of having to use indirect fire to shoot at targets that may not even be visible from the ship. Momsen and Shoup fired approximately 45 rounds each Feb. 3 and Feb. 5, respectively.

In order to hit targets at great distances with shells, the ships relied on the report of a ground-based observer. The observer radioed the coordinates of the enemy to the ship which then used a global grid system to aim its cannons and eliminate the threat.

"We have accomplished our mission in total; it has been a grand success," said Repass. "In reality, everyone is involved in this. It takes a big team effort to make this exercise happen."

The completion of NSFS was a major step forward for DESRON 9 in accomplishing their Sustainment Exercise (SUSTAINEX). "The overall purpose of the SUSTAINEX is to ensure that the ships of DESRON 9 are major combat ready," said Repass. "They always have been, and always will be ready for action."