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USS George Washington Returns After Successful COMPTUEX

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS031229-02

Release Date: 12/29/2003 7:18:00 AM

From USS George Washington Public Affairs

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), spearhead of the George Washington Strike Group (GWSTRKGRU), returned to Norfolk, Va., Dec. 19 after 40 days at sea, where she successfully completed her Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

The purpose of COMPTUEX was to forge GWSTRKGRU into a cohesive, fighting team. The GWSTRKGRU is comprised of Destroyer Squadron 28 and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Ross (DDG 71), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Elrod (FFG 55) and USNS Supply (T-AOE 6).

The exercise involved more than 7,600 Sailors operating off the coasts of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Having completed this final phase of the training cycle, the strike group now assumes surge status and is fully qualified to take the battle to any arena in the world.

"We are an asset that can be used and we are ready to go," said Rear Adm. Denby Starling, commander, Carrier Group (CCG) 8. "The GW has been back from its deployment less than a year and out of the ship yards since August," added Starling. "In a short period of time, GW, Carrier Air Wing 7, Destroyer Squadron 28 and all the other ships in the strike group have come together to work a very aggressive COMPTUEX, and we're returning to port ready to do the nation's business."

During this aggressive work-up cycle, the training was compressed to support the Chief of Naval Operation's new Fleet Readiness Plan (FRP). FRP calls for six surge carrier strike groups to be ready at any time, with two more ready shortly thereafter.

"Normally when we come out for COMPTUEX, we start at a crawl and work our way up to a run," said Command Master Chief (AW/SW/NAC) Eric Williamson, CVW-7's command master chief. "Both the ship's company and air wing personnel worked as a team to efficiently complete the training."

The compressed work-up cycle was not the only challenge of this COMPTUEX. The Navy's new Training Resource Strategy (TRS) introduced new technology, as well as new terrain, to the battlefield and called for the strike group to try something new from years past. The strike group targeted ranges in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida, simulating the battle space they may encounter when deployed. Starling, who has personally trained on both coasts in his career, noted that the new strategy was a major factor in propelling the strike group to success.

"The training we get under TRS is fantastic," he said. "It's more realistic and represents what we are going to see when it's for real. If you watch what's going on in the world today, you'll see there's a lot happening in the global war on terrorism, and the Navy continues to play a central role. GWSTRKGRU Sailors understand this is what they swore to do, and I'm confident they will get the job done."

GWSTRKGRU will deploy in support of the global war on terrorism early next year.