Observing the Training Cycle

We have been keeping an eye on the Iwo Jima ESG as it prepares for its deployment this fall. We expect the strike group will be ready to deploy by mid September, but may in fact not deploy until later than that. Either way, the strike group has begun COMPTUEX, an intermediate-level strike group exercise designed to forge the battle group into a cohesive, fighting team. It’s an important step in the pre-deployment training cycle and a prerequisite for a strike group’s Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX). Why are we interested? Because the USS San Antonio (LPD-17) is part of the Iwo Jima ESG.

The Iwo Jima Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) is participating in a composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX) July 8-Aug. 1 to prepare for deployment...

The Iwo Jima ESG consists of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) with the embarked 26 Marine Expeditionary Unit; the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD 50); the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17); the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); the guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and the fast attack submarine USS Hartford (SSN 768).

This is a pretty powerful strike group, indeed we observe this is one of the most impressive Atlantic based ESGs we have seen assembled in awhile. The USS Carter Hall (LSD 50) was on station fighting pirates off the coast of Somalia last summer and has been widely discussed in professional papers as being quite effective in that role. The USS Ramage (DDG 61) was scheduled to be the 17th AEGIS warship to be upgraded with ballistic missile defense, the first Atlantic fleet warship to be upgraded with the AEGIS BMD capability. We believe that upgrade has already occurred.

The USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) was an extremely impressive ship in 2006. Chief and I met Captain Clemmons, who was CO for that 2006 deployment, and he left one of the best first impressions of anyone in the Navy I've ever met. That ship was known at the time for being all business, and we remember a few European newspapers writing compliments about the ship and crew after liberty visits, something unusual enough we noted it. Two years later we'd bet good money USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) is preparing to exceed the achievements of that deployment, but that won't be easy.

When you also add in the USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7), USS Vella Gulf (CG 72), and USS Hartford (SSN 768), it is pretty clear the USS San Antonio (LPD 17) has been put in good company to insure a successful first deployment. She will certainly get her chance, the strike group will almost certainly be going to the Persian Gulf.