Exercise Joint Warrior Begins Off the Coast of Scotland

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Foster Bamford, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West

USS GETTYSBURG, At Sea (NNS) -- Joint Warrior, a two-week exercise, designed and led by the Joint Tactical Exercise Planning Staff (JTEPS) in the United Kingdom, is the largest military exercise in Europe and began off the coast of Scotland, Oct. 1.

"The exercise is designed to test the skill, knowledge and equipment of the participants in a range of different environments," said Capt. Paul Titterton, director of JTEPS. "By training in this fashion, we are able to prepare for a whole range of potential and ultimately realistic tactical scenarios, from out-and-out warfare to rescuing fishermen captured by pirates."

Three United States Navy ships are taking part in the exercise, led by Commander Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 26. They are guided missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG 64), guided missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) and fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (TAO 195). Joining the ships is Detachment 2 from the Grandmasters of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 46 and U.S. maritime support reconnaissance patrol aircraft from Experimental Evaluation Test Squadron (VX) 1, Patrol Squadron (VP) 9 and VP 10.

"For us, it's kind of a special treat to be one of the ships that gets to go out there and do this exercise with our coalition partners," said Capt. Bob Hein, Commanding Officer of Gettysburg. "Most likely, these same folks that we are training with, I'm going to see out there in eight months doing operations."

Joint Warrior is designed to improve interoperability and help integrate coalition forces and prepare them for possible joint exercises in a real-world environment.

"Allied and Coalition operations are the standard when units deploy," said Capt. Nelson Castro, commander of COMDESRON 26. "This exercise provides a venue for our Sailors to practice and learn NATO operating procedures."

Joint Warrior involves sea, ground and air assets from participating allied and NATO forces and aims to foster a spirit of teamwork between nations.

There are land, air and sea units participating from the US and eight other countries, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, Holland, Belgium, Estonia, Norway and Sweden.

USS Mitscher Wraps Up COMPTUEX, Visits Port Everglades

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Deven B. King, USS Mitscher Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) departed Port Everglades, Fla., Feb. 14, following a port visit that marked her completion of a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

The three-day visit was the final stage of COMPTUEX and acted as a practice run for when Mitscher deploys as part of the USS George H.W. Bush Strike Group in the spring.

"One of the things we do is act as ambassadors of the Navy," said Cmdr. Monica Stoker, USS Mitscher executive officer. "Being able to pull in, represent the Navy well and give ourselves a good name, was good practice for when we deploy."

During the port visit, Mitscher Sailors attended a dinner hosted by the Navy League and participated in a deep-sea fishing trip sponsored by Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR).

"I had a lot of fun," said Navy Counselor 1st Class Ryan Okerlund, who attended the fishing trip Feb. 13. "We didn't catch any fish, but that's not really the point. The point is to get away from the ship for a while, hang out with some friends outside the work environment and do something out of the ordinary. It really helped recharge the batteries from the craziness of COMPTUEX."

"It was good to be able to give our guys a break after being underway for a few weeks," Stoker said.

COMPTUEX tested Mitscher's and the Strike Group's ability to operate as a unit through a series of exercises including anti-submarine warfare; strait transiting; and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) exercises.

Mitscher will now begin the final stage of its pre-deployment certification with the Strike Group, a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), designed to build upon the competencies of warfare demonstrated in COMPTUEX.

"We're ready," said Stoker. "We've got our battle rhythm, and we're ready."

Along with USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), GHWB Strike Group assets participating in COMPTUEX/JTFEX include USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Anzio (CG 68), the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, the Spanish frigate ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbón and the French frigate FS Primauguet (D 644).

Mitscher Departs for Training Exercises

By Mass Communication Specialist Deven B. King, USS Mitscher Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- USS Mitscher (DDG 57) departed its homeport of Norfolk, Va., Jan. 19, as part of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.

The crew of Mitscher, more than 250 Sailors, is participating in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) to prepare for an upcoming deployment with the strike group.

"We're in our advanced stages of training," said Command Master Chief (SW) William Mullinax, USS Mitscher Command Master Chief. "This is to flex the crew and the ship to ensure we're ready to go in harm's way if need be."

Mitscher will serve many roles within the strike group, including anti-submarine warfare, carrier defense, maritime security operations, and visit, board, search and seizure (VBSS) operations.

"Mitscher's not only the jack-of-all-trades, but she's the master of them as well," said Lt. Cmdr. Jason Wilson, combat systems officer. "Name a mission and we'll be there to execute it safely and professionally."

During their first 48 hours underway, the crew conducted a VBSS exercise and a force protection exercise designed to simulate an attack on the ship by small craft.

"It's training that has added value to Sailors," said Mullinax.

"Over the next month we'll fine-tune the skills we need to fine-tune a little more, tighten up those last few things we need tightened up, and we'll be ready to roll," Wilson said.

"The crew is ready for the COMPTUEX and JTFEX, and I think they'll meet every situation pressed upon them to the best of their ability," Mullinax said. "There are probably going to be things which will stump us a bit, but we have the right people in place, the right leadership and the right Sailors."

USS Mitscher is scheduled to deploy with the strike group in the spring.

USS Mitscher Returns from Multimission Deployment

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- After 200 days and more than 38,000 miles en route to the Far East and back, USS Mitscher (DDG 57), an Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., Aug. 14.

Mitscher returned after playing a crucial role in bolstering international relations with several countries, including Turkey, the Netherlands, France, Australia, Brunei, Maldives, Singapore and the Republic of the Philippines.

The ship departed Norfolk Jan. 27 to serve as the only U.S. ship in a Royal Navy amphibious task group. In addition to providing direct support to the task group as the air defense commander.

Mitscher's deployment supported operation Active Endeavor in the Mediterranean Sea, counterpiracy operations off the Horn of Africa and ongoing Joint Special Operations Task Force operations in the Far East.

While sailing in the Mediterranean, Mitscher and the rest of the Taurus 09 Task Group combined forces with the Turkish Navy for Exercise Egemen 09. The exercise encompassed amphibious landing strategy supported by surface and air warfare tactics. Shortly after, Mitscher completed 400 hours of anti-submarine warfare training with the Taurus 09 Task Group during exercise Blue Toreador in the Indian Ocean.

As a mid-deployment stop, Mitscher pulled into the Changi Naval Base in Singapore May 6 to take part in the International Maritime Defense Exhibition and Conference (IMDEX) Asia 2009. IMDEX is a multinational exposition and top attraction for high-ranking officials from the international maritime arena. From May 12-14 the schedule consisted of exhibitions, receptions, exchanges and opportunities to gain new perspectives on current maritime security issues.

Mitscher along with USS Kidd (DDG 100) represented the United States in the warship display and provided ship tours to several hundred foreign military officials and guests. The display consisted of 22 warships from 15 different countries.

While many Sailors took advantage of the liberty ports to enjoy the local culture, several also chose to lend their efforts to community relations projects and distribute materials on behalf of Project Handclasp.

In the Maldives, members of the Mitscher crew personally delivered several pallets of hygienic and medical supplies to the Maldivian National Defense Force Headquarters to be distributed to hospitals throughout the islands. During Mitscher's port visit to Phuket, Thailand, Sailors volunteered at Home and Life Orphanage where they painted the orphanage's facilities and distributed donated goods from Project Handclasp to the children.

The Taurus 09 deployment enhanced interoperability and demonstrated the U.S. Navy and the Royal Navy's commitment to stability and international partners across the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Far East. Mitscher is the second Arleigh Burke Class destroyer to complete a cooperative deployment of this type; USS Cole (DDG 67) previously completed the Orion 2008 deployment.

The ship is commanded by Cmdr. Sterling Dawley and named after one of the most storied heroes of World War II, Adm. Marc Andrew Mitscher. The 505-foot-long ship has a crew of about 275.

Mitscher Returns from Deployment in South America

The guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57) returned to her homeport at Naval Station Norfolk Sept. 18 after a six-month deployment in support of Partnership of the Americas (POA).

POA is a U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command deployment designed to support Southern Command responsibilities by focusing on enhancing relationships with regional partner nations through a variety of exercises at sea and on shore.