• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Kennedy Strike Group Conducts Composite Training Unit Exercise

Navy Newsstand

Story Number: NNS040305-01

Release Date: 3/5/2004 9:40:00 AM

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

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Ships and aircraft of the USS John F. Kennedy (CV 67) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are in the midst of their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX).

The exercise, which began Feb. 21, is scheduled to run through mid-March, and will use the Virginia Capes and Jacksonville, Fla., operating areas and training ranges along the East Coast and Gulf Coast of Florida. Additionally, the exercise will involve 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 and is a critical step in pre-deployment training.

"This training exercise will test the response level of almost every facet in this strike group," said Capt. Michael Collins, Commander, Carrier Group 4 operations officer. "It will test everyone on deck."

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

John F. Kennedy is the Navy's third 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 Coast and Gulf Coast range training facilities and improved simulation technology now available to the fleet.

In implementing the TRS, Atlantic-based carrier strike groups train among existing training ranges and facilities throughout the region. Throughout COMPTUEX, the John F. Kennedy strike group will demonstrate that the Navy is enhancing its training flexibility and effectiveness through geographical and technological diversification.

"We create events that force the strike group to integrate and react as a unit," said Chief Fire Controlman (SW) Joel Krauss, Carrier Group 4's TLAM strike officer. "This is their first chance to operate as a single unit and react to real-world situations."

Commanded by Rear Adm. Donald K. Bullard, Commander, Carrier Group 6, the JFK CSG is comprised of the Mayport, Fla.-based ships John F. Kennedy, commanded by Capt. Ronald H. Henderson; the guided-missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG 69); the guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80); the destroyer USS Spruance (DD 963); the fast combat support ship USS Seattle (AOE 3), homeported in Earle, N.J.; the attack submarine USS Toledo (SSN 769), homeported in Groton, Conn., and Carrier Air Wing 17, commanded by Capt. Mark D. Guadagnini, embarked aboard USS John F. Kennedy.