USS George H.W. Bush completes COMPTUEX

Sailors aboard the U.S. Navy’s Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush came one step closer to deployment by completing their composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) on December 21.

The 3-week-long assessment tested the ship’s ability to collaborate with other ships in the strike group based on real-world situations. GHWBCSG conducted various exercises and completed evaluations to certify the CSG for deployment.

“COMPTUEX provides the entire strike group the opportunity to stress our systems and test our tactics and teamwork in combat scenarios before actually entering combat,” said Capt. William Pennington, commanding officer of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77). “I was extremely impressed with the way our Sailors and our embarked teammates handled themselves under some very dynamic and challenging situations.”

The exercise tested and evaluated GHWBCSG units through complex, scenario-based training exercises.

“Each evolution mimicked potential real-world engagement,” said Pennington. “Carrier strike group (CSG) 4 threw the kitchen sink at us and the confidence we gained in our systems, tactics, and teamwork will serve us well on deployment.”

With COMPTUEX complete, GHWB and the rest of the George H.W. Bush carrier strike group (GHWBCSG) are mission-ready and set to deploy early next year.

The GHWBCSG is comprised of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush; staffs of carrier strike group 2, carrier air wing 8 and its squadrons; Destroyer squadron 22 staff and its destroyers; and guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea and USS Hue City.