Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) welcomed aboard Carrier Air Wing One (CVW 1) for a luncheon and tour of the air wing’s ready rooms, July 1.
CVW 1 and TR will work closely together over the coming year as they conduct increasingly complex integrated training to prepare for future deployments.
“On the invitation of Capt. Daniel Grieco, [TR’s commanding officer] we are here to start to build the team and integrate with the carrier because this will be our home for the next deployment,” said Capt. William L. Ewald, commander of CVW 1.
CVW 1 consists of seven squadrons and approximately 1,500 Sailors. Each squadron has unique capabilities that range from electronic warfare to aviation combat power. The air wing will accompany TR throughout its deployment and work alongside the ship’s crew while underway.
“We are here to provide air assets using all types of model series Hornets or Super Hornets, E8-18 Growlers, E8-V2D Hawkeyes and SH60 helos for the strike group,” said Ewald.
The air wing will come aboard TR during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMTUEX), an intermediate level strike group exercise designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive fighting team. COMTUEX qualifies the carrier and its air wing for open ocean operations.
[mappress] Press Release, July 02, 2014; Image: US Navy