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George Washington CSG Begins COMPTUEX

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031203-01 Release Date: 12/3/2003 10:16:00 AM

From Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON, At Sea (NNS) -- Ships and aircraft of the USS George Washington (CVN 73) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) began their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) Nov. 22. The exercise, scheduled to run through mid-December, uses operating areas and training ranges along the East and Gulf Coasts.

The exercise involves complex strike group training events, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground events.

COMPTUEX is an intermediate-level exercise designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive fighting team. Commanded by Commander, Carrier Group 8, Rear Adm. H. Denby Starling II, it is a critical step in pre-deployment training.

The Carrier Strike Group is using ranges in Townsend, Ga.; Pinecastle, Fla.; Avon Park, Fla.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Piney Island, N.C.; and Dare County, N.C., for air-to-ground events during the exercise.

George Washington is the Navy's second carrier strike group to exercise using these ranges as part of the comprehensive Training Resource Strategy (TRS). Under this plan, ships and aircraft will use existing east and gulf coast range training facilities, and improved simulation technology now available to the fleet.

In implementing the TRS, the U.S. Atlantic Fleet now conducts carrier strike group training among existing training ranges and facilities throughout the Atlantic region. Throughout COMPTUEX, the George Washington Strike Group will demonstrate that the Navy is enhancing its training flexibility and effectiveness through geographical and technological diversification.

George Washington CSG units participating in COMPTUEX include the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier George Washington with its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), the guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), the guided-missile frigate USS Elrod (FFG 55), the fast-attack submarine USS Albany (SSN 753) and the combat logistics ship USNS Supply (T-AOE 6).