Military

Operation Brewing Storm Underway Off Atlantic Coast

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS050720-01
Release Date: 7/20/2005 10:35:00 AM

From U.S. 2nd Fleet Public Affairs

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- More than 15,000 service members from four countries are participating in Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) 05-2, Operation Brewing Storm, July 14–22.

Operation Brewing Storm presents U.S. and coalition forces with realistic and dynamic exercise threats that closely replicate operational challenges military forces routinely encounter around the world. It is designed to provide quality, realistic training to prepare U.S. forces for joint and combined operations.

“This exercise provides the strike group with valuable experience in joint and combined operations, while giving each an opportunity to refine their key tactical skills,” said Vice Adm. Mark Fitzgerald, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet.

JTFEX 05-2 serves as the forward-certifying event for the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Carrier Strike Group (CSG), as sustainment training for the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG, and as component commander certification for the United Kingdom Maritime Force (UKMARFOR) staff. JTFEX 05-2, conducted off the U.S. East Coast from the waters off Virginia to Florida, will also make use of training ranges ashore.

The Spanish frigate SPS Alvaro de Bazan (F 101) will serve as a Theodore Roosevelt CSG ship during this exercise and the CSG's subsequent deployment. This marks the first time a European vessel has deployed as part of a U.S. CSG with this level of integration by participating in pre-deployment training and operating as a true strike group unit.

Participating forces will train using equipment and systems that incorporate the latest advances in technology, and will support the full range of capabilities that may be required in various geographic areas.

U.S. and coalition partners include the Theodore Roosevelt CSG (Commander, CSG 2), Theodore Roosevelt; the Harry S. Truman CSG (Commander, CSG 10); Carrier Air Wing 8; Carrier Air Wing 3; Commander, Destroyer Group 22; USS San Jacinto (CG 56); Alvaro De Bazan; USS Donald Cook (DDG 75); USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79), USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS Carr (FFG 52), USS Porter (DDG 78), and USNS John Lenthall (T-AO 189), all homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Other participating units are USS Gettysburg (CG 64), homeported in Mayport, Fla. In addition, Commander, U.K. Maritime Force, Rear Adm. Charles Style and his staff will participate as the Force Maritime Component Command, homeported in Northwood, Middlesex, United Kingdom.

In addition, the following forces are participating in the exercise as the opposing force against the U.S. and coalition forces. USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), USS Elrod (FFG 55), USS Stout (DDG 55), USNS Kanawha (T-AO 196) and USNS John J. Lenthall all homeported in Norfolk, Va., and USS Annapolis (SSN 760), homeported in Groton, Conn.

Other units include the Peruvian submarine Antofagasta (SS 32), and the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (CFFC) Mobile Sea Range (MSR), consisting of the training support boats Hunter (Key West, Fla.), Hugo (Patuxent River, Md.) and the training support vessel (TSV-1) Prevail (Norfolk Naval Ship Yard, Va.). The Mobile Sea Range supports all levels of the Atlantic Fleet's pre-deployment and sustainment training; ship trials; Fleet/Department of Defense (DOD)/Northern Command (NORTHCOM) exercises; and test and evaluation events.