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Enterprise Carrier Strike Group Begins COMPTUEX Story Number: NNS030910-13 Release Date: 9/10/2003 4:23:00 PM From 2nd Fleet Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Ships and aircraft of the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) began using training ranges along the East Coast and Gulf Coast Sept. 10 for its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX). The exercise, which will be conducted through the end of this month, will utilize the Virginia Capes and Jacksonville, Fla., operating areas and will involve complex strike group training events, naval surface fire support training and air-to-ground bombing practice. The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group will use the following ranges for air-to-ground events during the exercise: Townsend, Ga.; Pinecastle, Fla.; Avon Park, Fla.; Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Piney Island, N.C. and Dare County, N.C. Enterprise is the Navy's first carrier strike group to exercise using these ranges as part of the comprehensive Training Resource Strategy. Under this plan, ships and aircraft will use existing east and gulf coast range training facilities and improved simulation technology now available to the fleet. "We are able to now better train our men and women. As we deploy ships to fight the global war on terrorism, this training and the continued support from our citizens will help ensure our success," said Adm. Robert Natter, commander of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and Fleet Forces Command. COMPTUEX is an intermediate-level battle group exercise designed to forge the strike group into a cohesive, fighting team. Commanded by Commander, Cruiser Destroyer Group (CCDG) 12, Rear Adm. J. G. Stavridis, it is a critical step in the pre-deployment training cycle, and certifies the carrier and its embarked air wing as qualified for open ocean operations. Upon completion of COMPTUEX, the strike group immediately deploys in support of operations fighting terrorism. Enterprise CSG units participating in COMPTUEX include the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CVN 65) with its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, the guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Gettysburg (CG 64) homeported in Mayport, Fla., the combat-logistics ship USS Detroit (AOE 4) homeported in Earle, N.J, and the Argentine destroyer, ARA Sarandi (D 13). For related news, visit the Commander 2nd Fleet/NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/c2f.
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