CVN 77 Begins TSTA/FEP

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Derrik Noack, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) departed its homeport of Norfolk to begin the Tailored Ship's Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) process, July 30.

TSTA/FEP prepares the ship and crew for full integration into a carrier strike group through a wide range of mission-critical operations, and is assessed by Afloat Training Group (ATG) Atlantic.

The TSTA portion assesses the crew's ability to self-train, and is meant to improve their ability to fight the ship by increasing their medical and damage control knowledge. FEP tests the crew on their ability to handle combat missions while supporting flight operations, along with maintaining casualty control.

The crew keeps active practicing, studying, and training for the drill year-round, but this is the first time in 19 months that they will conduct drills with Carrier Strike Group TWO (CSG 2) onboard.

"It's wonderful to have our whole team assembled," said Commanding Officer Capt. Andrew J. Loiselle. "I know we'll knock this evolution out of the park, just like we've been trained to do so."

Afloat Training Group (ATG) Atlantic inspectors will assess the crew's knowledge and capabilities through life saving, damage control, navigation and weapons drills. General Quarters (GQ) drills allow all of these subjects to be simultaneously graded through training scenarios, and simulated attacks to the ship.

"GQ drills are great because they not only give us time to educate Sailors on basic first aid, but also how to integrate that with damage control," said Lt. Chantel Hurwitz, the ship's nurse. "I'm confident in the crew's capabilities, because I've seen that knowledge in action during our drills and during a few actual emergencies on the ship."

The whole crew will participate in various drills throughout the ship's underway until ATG Atlantic deems them proficient in every graded area. The next step in certifying George H.W. Bush for deployment will be a Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPUTEX), which will test all warfare mission areas of the ship and CSG 2.

Enterprise Prepares for Final Unit Evaluation

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jeffry A. Willadsen, USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) completed the fourth day of their tailored ship's training availability (TSTA)/final evaluation period (FEP) Aug. 6 as the ship continued flight deck operations in support of ongoing carrier qualifications.

Afloat Training Group is training and grading Enterprise and Carrier Air Wing 1 Sailors on what they learned in order to determine whether the ship's crew is prepared for the unpredictable challenges faced during a combat deployment.

FEP is a graded exercise in conjunction with TSTA encompassing large-scale battle problems that require the ship to respond with general quarters [battle stations], flying squad [emergency response damage control team] drills and mass casualty responses.

Engineering department's damage control training team is one of many teams that are heavily involved because effective casualty control during combat is a major component in achieving mission readiness, which is the primary purpose of the underway period.

"Our success during FEP is crucial to us being certified to conduct our mission abroad," said Lt. j.g. Andrew J. Dietzel, the assistant damage control officer aboard Enterprise. "Essentially, it's the Navy declaring us ready to fight damage to the ship in a real situation at sea."

The ship's damage control training team uses controlled smoke, charged fire hoses and firefighting equipment to ensure the exercises are as realistic as possible. Carefully planned scenarios, meant to mirror real-life situations, add to the realism.

At some point in the evaluation, Sailors will encounter 20 to 30 simulated casualties at the same time, said Dietzel.

"It's a rigorous process, but it's what the Navy needs in order for us to prove that we're ready to do what we are meant to do, which is project air power at sea and ashore." said Dietzel. "We will prove that we are ready."

Other major areas of training include drills and scenarios encompassing navigation, seamanship, engineering, combat systems and other areas, all focused on getting the ship ready to deploy.

Once the FEP inspection is completed, Enterprise will be certified at the unit level and will begin integrated training with the rest of the Enterprise Carrier Strike Group. The integrated phase will culminate in the entire strike group being certified as ready to deploy.

Enterprise is at sea conducting work-ups leading to its 21st deployment.

Enterprise Departs for Training Assessments

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Guerra, USS Enterprise Public Affairs

USS ENTERPRISE, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Enterprise (CVN 65), Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 began their tailored ship's training assessment (TSTA)/final evaluation period (FEP) Aug. 3.

The operations are being conducted in conjunction with carrier qualifications for CVW-1 and mark the beginning of the official work-up phase for Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12.

TSTA is a training regiment designed to prepare a ship for prompt and sustained combat operations at sea while also developing and enhancing the ability to self-train and evaluate.

"We begin our work-up cycle today," said Capt. Ryan Scholl, Big E's executive officer. "This is the 'preparing for battle' part of all that we have been working on to date."

While the TSTA/FEP exercise is conducted during a single underway period, there are actually three distinct phases. The first phase focuses on navigation, seamanship, engineering and damage control.

The second phase assesses the capabilities of the flight deck crew and increases scrutiny on combat systems, engineering and the ship's damage control efforts.

The final phase of TSTA requires increased integration of the air wing through complex exercises. Once TSTA is complete, Enterprise will move directly into the FEP portion of the underway period.

FEP is a two-day event which serves as the final exam. It is designed to evaluate CSG-12's ability to fight as a cohesive unit.

Upon completing the work-up cycle, the strike group will be "surge" capable, ready to deploy in support of national tasking.

Afloat Training Group Atlantic is also aboard during the underway period, providing training and evaluating various systems and processes throughout each event.

Abraham Lincoln Completes TSTA and FEP

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist Eric Powell, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, At Sea (NNS) -- Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) received an overall grade of outstanding after successfully completing a Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) May 10.

The Afloat Training Team (ATG) Pacific evaluated Lincoln's crew during several complex unit level exercises, placing emphasis on the ship's Integrated Training Team (ITT)'s ability to conduct training and assess the ship's watch standing, warfighting and survival capabilities across all required warfare areas.

ITT is comprised of multiple training teams which include, combat systems, damage control, medical, seamanship, navigation and air. The training team has reached a level of proficiency that has enabled them to properly integrate and conduct advanced strike group exercises.

In particular ATG recognized the Damage Control (DC)team and the ship's air department for their level of professionalism and dedication across the board.

"All junior damage control personnel in Lincoln's DC division 'carried the day' on multiple occasions throughout the training cycle," wrote Chief Damage Controlman (SW/AW) Elias Robles III, ATG's damage control team leader. "By far all of these outstanding Sailors should be most recognized for their determined and dedicated efforts during this arduous command-wide evolution."

Over the course of two days Lincoln Sailors successfully demonstrated their ability to respond to major conflagration and mass casualties, as well as conduct torpedo evasion maneuvers, underway fueling and man overboard exercises amongst a myriad of other drills throughout the ship.

With TSTA and FEP complete, Lincoln will return to its homeport of Everett, Wash., and begin preparations for its next test: Comprehensive Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

GW Carrier Strike Group Completes Training Exercises

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The George Washington (GW) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to port March 14, following the successful completion of their Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP) while also participating in a Canadian Task Group Exercise, concurrently.

TSTA/FEP is designed to test the George Washington CSG's ability to fight its ship by evaluating the crews' responses to a number of damage control and casualty situations to ensure that they would be able to sustain operations despite challenging situations.

During the several weeks of training and evaluation, the George Washington CSG also participated in Canada's Task Group Exercise 02-08 (TGEX 02-08) with four Canadian ships and a submarine.

The destroyer HMCS Iroquois (DDG 280), frigates HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332), HMCS St. John's (FFH 340), oil replenishment ship HMCS Preserver (AOR 510), and the submarine HMCS Corner Brook (SSK-878) trained cooperatively with USS George Washington (CVN 73), USS Farragut (DDG-99), USS Boone (FFG-28) and USS Kauffman (FFG-59).

The Canadian TGEX 02-08 was designed to prepare the Canadian ships for their upcoming deployment by testing each in a wide variety of mission areas from their air defense, anti-submarine and anti-surface capabilities to their ability to conduct humanitarian efforts and refueling at sea operations.

By participating in the Canadian TGEX 02-08, the George Washington CSG was able to take its TSTA/FEP to a new level of tactical complexity not normally undertaken during this type of training milestone.

The hard-work and cooperation from both the American and Canadian ships during TGEX 02-08 received high praise from the Commander of the Canadian Task Group, Commodore R. A. Davidson.

"In all, I believe this to have been an excellent testament to the progress we are making in achieving smooth interoperability between our respective Navies and clearly illustrates the value, both in training and for operation, in achieving that goal," he said.

The George Washington CSG Commander, Rear Adm. Phil Cullom echoed the importance of their cooperative training to the ultimate goal of achieving security in the region.

"While this specific maritime collaboration had a tremendous benefit to the readiness of both our Strike Group and the Canadian Task Group, the greatest benefit to both our Nations is the increased security that results from honing such a strong maritime partnership," Cullom said.

With both exercises successfully completed, Cullom was clearly looking forward to future missions.

"Ultimately, we consider our recent cooperation with the Canadians an excellent kick-off to the extensive training the GW [Carrier] Strike Group will be conducting with numerous hemispheric partners in South America during our upcoming deployment," said Cullom.

Ronald Reagan Team Scores Outstanding During TSTA/FEP

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) pulled into its homeport at Naval Air Station North Island Dec. 18 after a 21-day underway period and a score of outstanding on the Tailored Ship's Training Availability and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP).

This was the first opportunity for Ronald Reagan to operate with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 14 since the ship returned from a three-month surge deployment in April. Prior to getting underway for the compressed TSTA/FEP schedule, the ship completed a six-month planned incremental availability period ahead of schedule.

TSTA and FEP were conducted by Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific, and were designed to test a ship's ability to conduct multiple simultaneous combat missions and survive complex casualty situations under stressful conditions.

"I am extremely proud of the teamwork displayed by the Ronald Reagan crew to earn the grade of outstanding during TSTA/FEP," said Capt. Terry B. Kraft, Ronald Reagan's commanding officer. "The attitude and teamwork displayed by this crew was amazing."

Both TSTA and FEP focused on basic command and control, weapons employment, mobility (navigation, seamanship, damage control, engineering and flight operations) and warfare specialty.

The requirement to significantly challenge Ronald Reagan's damage control organization drove a large part of FEP scenario.

"Hands-on training, technical support and realistic drill scenarios contribute to Ronald Reagan's high state of warfighting readiness," said Senior Chief Damage Controlman (SW/AW) Brian Wilcox, who leads Ronald Reagan's damage control division.

Wilcox said he has confidence in the crew of Ronald Regan and that it was no surprise that the Sailors performed well for the team of evaluators.

During TSTA/FEP, Ronald Reagan conducted operations with other surface assets from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group including USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), USS Howard (DDG 83), USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Thach (FFG 43).

While underway for the training the crew of Ronald Reagan and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron 4 also conducted the emergency rescue of a 14-year old suffering from a ruptured appendix aboard the cruise ship "Princess Dawn."