USS Nimitz Departs for SUSTEX

The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) departed its homeport of Everett, Wash., March 30, to embark Carrier Air Wing 11 for a scheduled Sustainment Training Exercise (SUSTEX) in preparation for an upcoming deployment.

After a series of exercises and training evolutions in 2012, SUSTEX will be the carrier’s last in certifying for its scheduled Western Pacific deployment.

 “There’s a tremendous amount of work that went on,” said Rear Adm. Michael S. White, commander of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11. “I couldn’t be more proud and privileged to serve with this team.”

SUSTEX is a re-certification evolution designed to test the capabilities of the carrier strike group. It evaluates how ships work together in a variety of tactical situations and ensure the strike group and its crew are ready to deploy.

With all of the exercises, drills and sustained maintenance, the leadership says the ship is more than ready to accomplish the tasks required during the upcoming SUSTEX and the following Western Pacific deployment.

 “Outstanding job; this ship is ready to go,” said Capt. Jeff S. Ruth, commanding officer of Nimitz. “You’ve done a great job. We’re ready to go do the nation’s business. It’s exceptionally cool, I think, to be able to say we serve our country from the decks of this fine warship, only one in 10 in this United States Navy.”

“You are probably the most astute professional warriors I’ve ever worked with and this ship is ready to go to sea and do the nation’s business,” said White.

Nimitz and CSG 11 performed various exercises in preparation for their deployment including a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in late 2012. The exercises were designed to drill every warfare area including sub surface, surface and air, and to test the strike group’s ability to operate in hostile and complex environments.

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Naval Today Staff, April 1, 2013; Image: US Navy