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Carl Vinson Completes TSTA In-Port Phase

Navy News Service

Story Number: NNS160629-03
Release Date: 6/29/2016 10:16:00 AM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zackary Alan Landers, USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO (NNS) -- The crew of aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) completed the in-port phase of Carl Vinson's Tailored Ship's Training Availability, June 24.

TSTA is the first combined training event of the inter-deployment training cycle. During TSTA, training drills and real-world scenarios placed an emphasis on damage control, flight deck operations and simulated combat, each of which were evaluated by Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific. Sailors practiced firefighting, responded to man overboard musters, conducted boat operations, and responded to simulated attacks from multiple threats.

"Preparing for and executing TSTA in-port evolutions has improved readiness across the ship," said Information Systems Technician 3rd Class Jose Melendrez, Carl Vinson's integrated training team coordinator. "From the propulsion plant drills going on deep within the ship to the topside scenarios on the flight deck, TSTA has given every department the chance to assess readiness and improve basic warfighting skills."

Melendrez said while TSTA's main focus is crew training, the training provides an assessment of the material condition of the ship and its systems -- the critical criteria during the ship's upcoming Board of Inspection and Survey (INSURV) inspection.

"To have a successful INSURV, we need a well-trained crew using equipment that meets and exceeds Navy standards," said Melendrez. "TSTA gives us a chance to have a questioning attitude during every evolution, with each Sailor making sure the systems they are experts on are well-maintained and operational."

Melendrez also said no one knows Carl Vinson's equipment better than the Sailors who use it on a daily basis, so TSTA's drills and training serve as one of the best forms of quality control.
The TSTA in-port phase will formally conclude after members of ATG Pacific brief the ship's top leadership on their observations.

"ATG will give us a thorough run-down of things we did well and things that could use more training," said Melendrez. "ATG's goal is to send Sailors to sea with the tools they need to support the ship's mission. TSTA in-port got us a big step closer to that goal."