CVW 1, Theodore Roosevelt Begin Integrated Training

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Alex Millar and Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Wyatt L. Anthony, USS Theodore Roosevelt Public Affairs

USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT, At Sea (NNS) -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 embarked the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (TR) (CVN 71) to conduct integrated training Sept. 16 to Oct. 9.

The arrival of CVW 1, composed of eight squadrons, 61 aircraft, and about 1,300 personnel, is a huge step forward for TR as the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group prepares for an upcoming deployment in the spring of 2015.

"This is the first major step to getting us back into being a combat-ready carrier, and takes us from basic phase to integrated phase," said Cmdr. Brian Beck, TR's air boss, a Scio, Ohio, native.

"When you're trying to knock the dust off and get back into battle rhythm sometimes things are a little slow, but everyone here is already in the mindset of success, so we're really progressing a lot quicker than normal," said Command Master Chief James Tocorzic, command master chief of CVW 1.

Managing eight air squadrons on one ship can be a tasking situation, but preparation and motivation can help smooth the process.

"This has been one of the easiest transitions that I've seen, as far as the air wing coming aboard with the ship's company," said Tocorzic. "It just goes to show the mindset of teamwork that we're already implementing."

Sailors and Marines aboard TR are no longer maneuvering aircraft in a training environment. They are performing as they would on deployment in a combat-ready environment.

"It is a learning curve for my Sailors working the hangar bay because they are no longer training, but working with real squadrons, and overall we are doing really well," said Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (handling) Charles Bringuez, the hangar bay leading chief petty officer, a native of Miami.

As the days and months trickle away and deployment draws closer, CVW 1 will continue to train with TR through the coming months to prepare for the challenges that that lay ahead.

"This is a monumental effort by all," said Beck. "Everything going on is a top-down, bow-to-stern effort. Being on a carrier is the greatest team sport on the planet, especially bringing the air wing and TR's crew together, all into four and a half acres and making it work. There's nothing that even comes close to this."