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Wasp Completes Composite Training Unit Exercise

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160524-05
Release Date: 5/24/2016 12:53:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Gulianna Dunn, USS Wasp (LHD 1) Public Affairs

NORFOLK (NNS) -- It's been more than a decade since amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) has deployed. After months of preparing through the pre-deployment training cycle, Sailors and Marines aboard the ship completed their final exercise May 23.

Wasp, flagship of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), has proven she is ready to enter the fight once again with the successful conclusion of composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). The 3-week-long assessment tested the ship's ability to collaborate with other ships in the ARG based on real-world situations.

"From the first day we pulled away from the pier, events and scenarios have progressively gotten more difficult and given a crawl, walk, run approach," said Lt. Cmdr. Kurt Davis, Wasp assistant operations officer. "The scenarios we face are multi-threat, complex battle problems that stress multiple warfare areas."

Shortly after Wasp departed Naval Station Norfolk earlier this month, speed boats masquerading as enemy fast attack craft (FAC) approached the ship. Members of the Ship's Nautical or Otherwise Photographic Interpretation and Examination (SNOOPIE) Team were ready to act fast.

"We have grown in our ability to identify and relay pertinent information to the watchstanders who cannot see the event," said Intelligence Specialist 3rd Class Bryan Gillespie. "The maneuvers of the small boats and planes are meant to simulate real world tactics which will help us expect what to see out there. We have to be storytellers because we are their eyes."

With COMPTEUX complete, Wasp and the rest of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) are mission-ready and set to deploy overseas this summer.

"COMPTUEX prepares Wasp and Wasp ARG for what we could face when we sail on deployment," said Davis. "There are many contingencies in the world today that Wasp could be called into action to support. We must be prepared to provide that support and defend ourselves while doing it."

"COMPTUEX establishes a pattern of behavior -- a mindset -- because the next time you hear the [tactical action officer] on the 1MC inform the crew of an incoming threat, or we put Marines ashore it will be for real and we will be ready."

Along with Wasp, the ARG includes Amphibious Squadron 6, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17), and dock landing ship USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41).