Arlington Begins COMPTUEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Stevie Tate, USS Arlington Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD 24) departed Norfolk to begin composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) July 15 as part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG).

COMPTUEX is the final in a series of training exercises designed to certify the ARG deployment-ready by testing its ability to react to real-world scenarios and perform as an integrated unit. Commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4 will evaluate Kearsarge ARG on how they perform during simulated surface and sub-surface threats and ship movements such as transiting a strait in hostile waters.

"What Arlington began with PHIBRON-MEU Integrated Training (PMINT) and continued with the ARG/Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Exercise will be finished at the end of COMPTUEX," said Executive Officer Lt. Cmdr. Emily Bassett. "During this assessment, CGS-4 will evaluate our ability to perform various different mission sets, including everything from counter-piracy to maritime interdiction operations and strike warfare."

Throughout COMPTUEX, fictitious geopolitical scenarios are used to replicate real-world circumstances that could be encountered during deployment.

"This assessment will essentially be the ARG's pinnacle training event from the integrated phase, and should demonstrate that we are ready for our upcoming deployment," said Capt. Sean Bailey, commanding officer of Arlington. "The big focus here is teamwork. From within the departments of Arlington to working with the ARG and 26th MEU, teamwork is the key to success both during this exercise and during deployment. Teamwork will be the key to our ability to excel during COMPTUEX."

Kearsarge ARG is composed of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 4 staff, USS Kearsarge (LHD 3), USS Arlington (LPD 24), USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).