Momsen Reaches Target During Combat Mission Training

By Ens. Zachary Thiesse, USS Momsen Public Affairs

USS MOMSEN, At Sea (NNS) -- USS Momsen (DDG 92) fired 60 shells downrange under the pressure of a simulated combat scenario July 28 as part of a composite unit training exercise (COMPTUEX).

Firing at the Shore Bombardment Area of San Clemente Island, the drill gave Momsen's fire controlmen real world experience with live-fire shore bombardment using their Mark 51 five-inch gun.

Under simulated combat conditions, Momsen's crew executed a naval surface fire support mission in response to a call-for-fire request from a ground unit. Momsen fired 30 High Explosive, Controlled Variable Time (HE-CVT) rounds and 30 full service charge rounds during the evolution.

"This is some of the most realistic training I've experienced in my career," said Cmdr. Jay D. Wylie, Momsen's commanding officer. "These standards are much higher, and the room for error much smaller. The added rigor we've seen in this training cycle is making our crew ready to face any adversary or potential contingency."

COMPTUEX builds upon Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group's combat readiness by simulating challenges the strike group may encounter on deployment. The advanced training scenarios of COMPTUEX represent the first time a carrier strike group is evaluated as an overall unit. Passing the tests of COMPTUEX certifies Lincoln and its air wing for open-ocean operations, making the force available to deploy wherever and whenever the order is given.

The strike group consists of flagship USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, embarked Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 9 and the guided-missile cruiser Cape St. George CG 71.

Ships assigned to DESRON 9 include the guided-missile destroyers Momsen, USS Shoup (DDG 86), USS Halsey (DDG 97) and USS Sterett (DDG 104).

Squadrons of CVW 2 include the "Bounty Hunters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, the "Blue Blasters" of VFA-34, the "Kestrels" of VFA-37, the "Vigilantes" of VFA-151, the "Lancers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, the "Sun Kings" of Airborne Early Warning Squadron 116, the "Saberhawks" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 77 and the "Golden Falcons" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 12.