The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) got underway Sept. 29 to participate in a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with components of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11.
Prior to departure, Nimitz spent six weeks in its homeport of Everett, Wash. for its carrier in-port availability. During that time, Nimitz took on large quantities of supplies and performed necessary maintenance.
COMPTUEX puts CSG 11 into a training scenario that loosely replicates real world conditions that will build the strike group’s warfare skills while also maintaining unit proficiencies. Every Sailor aboard Nimitz will play an important role in the evolutions.
After successful completion of COMPTUEX, CSG 11 will move on to a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), which is the strike group’s final exam prior to being certified for overseas deployment.
“COMPTUEX/JTFEX caps an extremely busy period for the ship and its crew. Every Sailor aboard has worked very hard this year, and this underway will showcase just how ready each and every member of this outstanding strike group is to conduct our nation’s business, ” said Rear Adm. Pete Gumataotao , commander of CSG 11. “I couldn’t be more proud of the efforts of all CSG 11 Sailors and their families to prepare for this evolution.”
COMPTUEX involves exercises that simulate surface and sub-surface threats, mines, small boat attacks and transiting straits in hostile waters.
Assessors from Commander, Strike Force Training Forces Pacific (CSFTP) will observe and evaluate CSG 11’s performance and mentor strike group staff and leaders. Carrier Strike Group 11 includes Nimitz, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, guided-missile destroyers USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Stockdale (DDG 106), USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), and guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG 59).
[mappress] Naval Today Staff,October 2, 2012