IKE Carrier Strike Group Underway for COMPTUEX

Guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG 94), front, steams in formation with USS Stout (DDG 56), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Monterey (CG 61) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80). While at sea, the ships supported a live-fire event conducted as part of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), the final certification event prior to deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

 

From USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69 Public Affairs

 

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- The ships and air wing of the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commenced a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) March 16, in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

 

 Ike CSG is comprised of aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) (Ike), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 with its associated ships: USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

 

 COMPTUEX will test the carrier strike group's ability to perform and effectively respond as an integrated team during simulated scenarios the group may encounter while deployed or during high-end warfare.

 

 The exercise consists of a variety of training evolutions including anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, irregular warfare, counterpiracy, counterproliferation and maritime interdiction scenarios.

 

 Capt. Jeffrey Anderson, CVW-3 commander, said the underway period, the air wing's first extended underway aboard the strike group flagship since completing the Tailored Ship's Training Assessment and Final Evaluation Problem (TSTA/FEP) in November 2015, is just the latest step in what has proven to be a seamless integration with the Ike-Battle Axe team.

 

 "Integration of the air wing aboard Ike and across the strike group has been seamless," Anderson said. "Everything has developed as well as, or better than, we anticipated."

 Rear Adm. Jesse Wilson, Ike CSG commander, said the strike group's participation in COMPTUEX will integrate individual units into a cohesive team and establish critical lines of communication.

 

 "COMPTUEX provides us with one last litmus test to ensure the team is aligned and effectively operating together before we deploy," Wilson said. "This training, in potential real-world scenarios, will test the team in order to solidify our readiness and aid in our success during combat operations," said Wilson.

 

 The IKE CSG pre-deployment qualifications will culminate with the completion of COMPTUEX, the final major training evolution of the integrated phase of training. IKE CSG is scheduled to deploy this summer.

 

The guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG 56) fires its MK 45 5-inch lightweight gun during a weapons training exercise. San Jacinto is currently underway preparing for a future deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ryan U. Kledzik/Released)

 

Monterey Conducts Exercise with US Air Force

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Billy Ho, USS Nimitz Public Affairs

USS MONTEREY, At Sea (NNS) -- Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) conducted an air operations for maritime surface warfare exercise in the Arabian Gulf, July 17.

The exercise was a joint operation between Monterey and aircraft from U.S. Air Force, Central Command.

"This was an excellent opportunity for Monterey to improve interoperability with U.S. Air Force assets deployed to the Central Command area of responsibility," said Lt. Cmdr. Robert Watts, the ship's operations officer. "It also allowed Monterey to practice joint tactics, techniques, and procedures in the dynamic maritime environment."

Monterey launched two rigid-hull inflatable boats to simulate small boat threats that were detected by an Air Force E-8 Joint Surveillance and Target Attack Radar System (JSTARS) aircraft. Two U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft were then directed to investigate, identify, target, and destroy the targets. Monterey and the JSTARS aircraft took turns controlling and directing the Strike Eagles while practicing joint procedures to defend Monterey from small craft attack.

"It was a very successful exercise," said Watts. "Both Monterey and U.S. Air Force participants met or exceeded all training objectives. This exercise improves our ability to operate more effectively and efficiently with joint partners in the region."

The two-hour exercise concluded with a fly-by of Monterey after the F-15E Strike Eagles had eliminated all simulated targets during multiple inbound runs.

 Monterey is currently deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Responsibility.

USS Monterey to Deploy

NORFOLK (NNS) -- The guided missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) will depart Norfolk, Va., March 7, on a six-month independent deployment to the 6th Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR).

This will be the first BMD asset deployed under the European Phased Adaptive Approach (EPAA), which was supported at the November 2010 NATO Lisbon Summit. Together with European Allies and partners, this deployment will lay the foundation for EPAA and help define future missile defense needs and regional capabilities.

The Monterey deployment is the first in a series of steps taken this year with our Allies and partners to deter and defend against emerging regional missile threats under Phase I of EPAA.

"The ship is very excited to get underway on this deployment to the 6th Fleet Area of Operations in support of the European Phased Adaptive Approach," said Capt. Jim Kilby, USS Monterey Commanding Officer. "We have trained aggressively in all areas and are ready to execute any of the many missions this ship is designed to undertake."

In addition to its primary BMD mission, Monterey will remain ready to provide deterrence, promote peace and security, preserve freedom of the sea and humanitarian/disaster response as necessary.

Milestone Nears for European Missile Defense Plan

By Karen Parrish, American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON - The U.S. plan to defend Europe from a rapidly increasing ballistic missile threat will reach a milestone next week with the first deployment of missile defense technology, a senior Defense Department official said yesterday.

"The ballistic missile threat is real, and it's now," said John F. Plumb, the Pentagon's principal director for nuclear and missile defense policy, adding that the phased, adaptive approach to European missile defense is a capability designed to defend against that threat.

The USS Monterey -- equipped with systems to detect, track, engage and destroy ballistic missiles in flight -- will deploy next week from its home port of Norfolk, Va., for a six-month tour in the U.S. European Command area of responsibility, Plumb said.

The ship will participate in missile defense exercises and help to lay the foundation for future deployments, Plumb said, in "the first demonstration of our commitment to this ... in a long series of deployments that will follow."

President Barack Obama approved the phased, adaptive approach to European ballistic missile defense in 2009, and the NATO alliance agreed to the plan at its November 2010 summit in Lisbon, Portugal.

The approach will begin with existing technology and add more sophisticated systems now in development to build sea- and land-based missile defense systems in Europe throughout the rest of this decade, Plumb said.

"The first phase ... involves ships, because we have sea-based missile defense capabilities now, as well as forward-based radar that can provide information to those ships," he said.

The second phase will begin in 2015, he said, with the deployment of a land-based interceptor site in Romania. The interceptor, the Standard Missile-3 IB, or SM-3 IB, is in development now, Plumb said.

"That will be the first land-based deployment of this type of interceptor, and that will start to provide greater coverage for Europe," he said.

The SM-3 IA already is deployed on ships around the world, he said, and two other variants of the interceptor, the IIA and IIB, are scheduled to be in place as part of phases 3 and 4 by 2020. Plumb said each version of the interceptor will defend against missiles of greater ranges and speeds.

The ballistic missile threat to Europe from the Middle East, particularly Iran, is a driving force behind the phased, adaptive approach, he said.

"[Iran] continues to pursue more and greater capabilities," he said. "We need to have a way not only to deter them from using them, but also if deterrence fails to be able to intercept their missiles."

While the phased, adaptive approach is currently under U.S. European Command's authority, Plumb said, NATO agreed at the Lisbon summit to establish command-and-control systems allowing the alliance to take the lead in ballistic missile defense on the European continent.

"Europe is a big place," he said. "The more you can cooperate, and the more assets other nations can contribute, the better the system can function."

Those contributions may take the form of sensors, interceptors or land for sites, he said.

"The assets we're deploying ... would be the U.S. national contribution to the missile defense of Europe," Plumb said. "As with any other NATO mission, individual nations voluntarily contribute assets, and [all] would work under a NATO command structure."

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 Monterey Visits Key West

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG 61) completed a successful port visit in Key West, Fla., Feb. 14, wrapping up the ship's composite training unit exercise and propelling them into a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) with the George H.W. Bush Strike Group.

During the port visit, Monterey Sailors participated in a community relations (COMREL) project, cleaning up Little Hamaca Park with Reef Relief, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving coral reef, Feb. 12.

"It's so rewarding to give back to the community that we visit," said Fire Controlman 2nd Class (SW) Feena Dwiggins, COMREL coordinator. "We spend so much time on the ocean, that cleaning up the shore line just seemed right."

Together Sailors helped Reef Relief pick up 551 pounds of trash during the three-hour event.

"The ecosystem of the coral reef off the coast of Key West starts on land in the mangroves, the sea-grass bed and the coral reef," said Millard McCleary, Reef Relief program director. "What people do on land ends up affecting the coral."

"We really appreciate the Monterey coming in and giving some volunteers to help us out," said McCleary. "We always need help. We are a small organization, and we do big things but there are only four of us. It's great to have this many volunteers come help us out."

While the port visit was a working port for the crew, many had the opportunity to enjoy all Key West had to offer for entertainment; from snorkeling and sightseeing, to ghost tours and nightlife.

"I had the opportunity to experience a unique environment and culture here in Key West," said Yeoman 3rd Class Tracy L. Caputo. "It was so great and refreshing to take a break from being out at sea and visit somewhere I have never been before."

As Monterey steamed away from Key West, USS Monterey Commanding Officer Capt. James W. Kilby, praised the crew over the announcement system for an outstanding port visit and all the work they accomplished on topside preservation.