USS Cape St. George Tests Air Defense System

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Arif Patani, USS Abraham Lincoln Public Affairs

ABOARD USS CAPE ST. GEORGE , At Sea (NNS) -- Pacific Ocean -- USS Cape St. George (CG 71) tested its Aegis weapons system July 29 as part of the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group's Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

The main objective of the Aegis evolution was to exercise the strike groups command and control, provide a common tactical picture, execute pre-planned responses, and identify potentially hostile aircraft in a timely and accurate manner.

"During the Aegis exercise we had live aircraft coming in simulating a variety of platforms, each representing a different type of missile threat," said Lt. j.g. Joshua T. McNett, Cape St. George's fire control officer, "We assess what the threat is, know what it's capable of, and we counter it before it gets within close of range."

As a guided-missile cruiser, Cape St. George's main mission while deployed with the strike group is to protect its carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Aegis System is the primary way in which they do this.

"We are the air defense commander," said Fire Controlman 1st Class Chad W. Conrad, the Lead SPY Radar Aegis Weapons System (AWS) Technician on board Cape St. George, "Our job is to defend the carrier from any air strikes, and the Aegis weapons system is what does it."

The Aegis combat system is capable of simultaneous operations against a multimission threat: anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. The Aegis System is designed as a total weapon system, from detection to kill.

"Aegis was primarily made for open-ocean conflicts," said McNett, "Out in the open ocean, it's the best thing out there. We can track contacts hundreds of miles away. So, there is a huge cone of coverage around the strike group and the carrier as a whole."

The heart of the system is the AN/SPY-1, an advanced, automatic detect and track, multifunction phased-array radar. The radar is able to perform search, track and missile guidance functions simultaneously with a track capacity of over one hundred targets.

Cape St. George is currently off the coast of Southern California with the rest of the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group taking part in COMPTUEX.

COMPTUEX is designed to train the USS Abraham Lincoln, the embarked air wing and the other units that make up the carrier strike group to function as one highly effective fighting force. The exercises will build upon the strike group's combat readiness by simulating the type of scenarios the strike group may face while deployed. The outcome will certify the strike group for open-ocean operations and moves it within the Fleet Response Plan, allowing the Navy to deploy flexible naval force capable of surging quickly.

Cape St. George, Benfold, Halsey Return Following Six-Month Deployment

By Chief Mass Communication Specialist (SW/AW) Donnie Ryan, Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group Public Affairs

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Benfold (DDG 65) practice formation maneuvering. Halsey and Benfold are part of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group on a scheduled deployment. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shannon K. Cassidy (Released)

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- USS Cape St. George (CG 71), USS Benfold (DDG 65) and USS Halsey (DDG 97) returned to San Diego Nov. 3 following a six-month deployment as part of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group (PELESG).

PELESG ships, which deployed from San Diego May 4, conducted maritime security operations (MSO) and theater security cooperation activities in the 5th and 7th Fleet Areas of Operation.

Capt. Jon Padfield, commander, Amphibious Squadron 3 (COMPHIBRON 3) and leader of the PELESG, said that Cape St. George and Benfold supported MSO through presence activities and interaction patrols in the Arabian Gulf, while Halsey conducted MSO near the Horn of Africa.

"Expeditionary strike groups deploy in order to give fleet commanders the assets to accomplish a wide variety of contingency operations including the delivery of combat forces, humanitarian assistance and non-combatant evacuations in addition to MSO," said Padfield.

"The Sailors and Marines of the Peleliu Expeditionary Strike Group operated alongside our coalition partners to help provide security and stability in the region."

According to Cmdr. Thomas Disy, Benfold's commanding officer, the deployment provided an opportunity for the crew to use the skills and equipment they had trained on in real-world operations.

"We accomplished every tasking assigned by both 5th and 7th fleet commanders, including counter-piracy, weapons interdiction, maritime community engagement and security operations," said Disy. "As proud as I am of their performance at sea, I'm equally proud of their flawless performance ashore while acting as U.S. ambassadors during our six port visits to foreign nations."

During the deployment, Benfold made port visits to Phuket, Thailand; Manama, Bahrain; Hong Kong and Sasebo, Japan. Cape St. George stopped in Penang, Malaysia; Manama, Bahrain; and Brisbane, Australia. Halsey visited Penang, Malaysia; the Seychelles; as well as Fremantle/Perth and Sydney, Australia.

Cmdr. Robert Beauchamp, who assumed command of Halsey during the deployment, said he was proud to have served alongside the men and women of the crew.

"Their energy, commitment and passion continue to impress and at times, even surprise me," said Beauchamp. "No goal was too lofty, whether training for a professional qualification, studying for an advancement examination or working towards a college degree on their personal time while deployed."

"While this deployment was full of highlights, there is none greater than returning home, to the open arms of family and friends," added Beauchamp.

Dozens of friends and family members of the crews will also arrived in San Diego after joining the ships Oct. 27 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii for a scheduled "Tiger Cruise" on the last leg of the deployment.

The other ships that make up the PELESG, USS Peleliu (LHA 5), USS Dubuque (LPD 8) and USS Pearl Harbor (LSD 52), are scheduled to return to San Diego Nov. 4.