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Carrier Strike Group 8 Begins COMPTUEX

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS060413-05
Release Date: 4/13/2006 1:07:00 PM

By Journalist Seaman Manhea Kim, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Public Affairs

ABOARD USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER (NNS) -- The officers and crew of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 and Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8 (CCSG 8) departed Naval Station Norfolk April 12 and began their Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), a major requirement for the Eisenhower Strike Group’s certification as ready for deployment.

COMPTUEX is designed to train the ship, embarked air wing and other units that make up the carrier strike group to function as one highly effective fighting force. Evaluators from Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic will ensure the strike group’s units are exercised in all warfare areas.

Completing COMPTUEX will qualify the strike group to go on regular, non-emergency deployments.

“It’s very important to bring all of the carrier strike group components together to work and train as we build on our combat readiness and prepare for deployment. COMPTUEX is an excellent opportunity for us to hone our warfighting skills and train as one team,” said Rear Adm. Allen Myers, commander, Carrier Strike Group 8.

One aspect will be an increase in flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier due to simulated combat conditions.

“At times, we’ll be flying 100 to 130 missions daily, launching, recovering and tanking,” said Ike Air Operations Officer Cmdr. Brian Allen. “COMPTUEX will prove that we can defend the ship and demonstrate our teamwork with the other ships in the strike group.”

A critical step in pre-deployment training, COMPTUEX will build upon the strike group’s combat readiness by simulating the type of scenarios the strike group may face while deployed. The outcome will certify Ike and her air wing for open-ocean operations and moves the strike group forward within the Fleet Response Plan, allowing the Navy to deploy a flexible naval force capable of surging quickly.

CCSG 8 is comprised of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, USS Anzio (CG 68), USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS Mason (DDG 87), USS Newport News (SSN 750) and USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8).

CVW-7 includes Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 “Tigertails,” Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 “Pukin’ Dogs,” VFA-131 “Wildcats,” VFA-103 “Jolly Rogers,” Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 “Patriots,” VFA-83 “Rampagers” and Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron (HS) 5 “Nightdippers.”