Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group Begins Use of Vieques Inner Range
Navy Newsstand
1/13/2003 2:19:00 PM
From Commander, 2nd Fleet Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Ships and aircraft of the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Battle Group commenced use of the Vieques Island inner range Jan. 13 in conjunction with their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).
The exercise will also utilize the Northern and Southern Puerto Rican Operating Areas and will involve complex battle group training events, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground bombing.
COMPTUEX is a battle group exercise designed to forge the group into a cohesive fighting team. Conducted by Commander, Carrier Group 4, Rear Adm. Lindell Rutherford, it is a critical step in the pre-deployment training.
Successful completion of COMPTUEX certifies the carrier and its embarked air wing as qualified for open ocean operations. Additionally, this will allow the battle group to relieve the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Battle Group as the ready surge carrier battle group.
In accordance with presidential directives, all training on Vieques will utilize inert (non-explosive) ordnance.
The battle group is commanded by Rear Adm. John C. Harvey Jr. Units participating in COMPTUEX include aircraft carrier with Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW-8) and Commander, Destroyer Squadron 2 (CDS 2) embarked; guided-missile cruisers USS Anzio (CG 68) and USS Cape St. George (CG 71); guided-missile destroyers USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), USS Porter (DDG 78) and USS Winston Churchill (DDG 81); destroyer USS Stump (DD 978); guided-missile frigate USS Carr (FFG 52); fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8); and two attack submarines.
COMPTUEX is being conducted two weeks earlier than originally scheduled, allowing George Washington to commence a previously-scheduled maintenance period.
The battle group's Joint Task Force Exercise and subsequent deployment date are scheduled for the spring.
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