Second Fleet Commander Embarks America's Newest Aircraft Carrier

From USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, Vice Adm. Daniel P. Holloway embarked on the U.S. Navy's newest aircraft carrier, USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Feb. 1-4.

The George H.W. Bush Strike Group is currently conducting Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in the Atlantic Ocean. Holloway's visit marks his first underway embark on Bush, arriving aboard to assess the progress of the Strike Group during the exercises and visit with the Strike Group leadership team.

COMPTUEX and JTFEX are the final training exercises before a strike group is certified as ready to deploy, challenging the ships and Sailors with various battle problems and at-sea engagements across the full spectrum of combat operations. While embarked, Holloway served as the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander for the strike group and coalition units, overall in charge of assets in the maritime domain in a wartime engagement scenario.

"We need agile, relevant naval forces ready to respond to the call of the nation," said Holloway. "It is an honor for me to be embarked to review at sea this rigorous training and certification process," said Holloway.

Holloway previously visited Bush in December, welcoming the crew back to Norfolk after an underway period, and personally thanking everyone for taking part in a medical evacuation of a Sailor from a U.S. Navy submarine at sea which had delayed the carrier's return to port.

"I'm here to tell you this team has already performed the fundamental block and tackling to establish the foundation to be full mission capable," said Holloway. "I am confident she will be certified in all warfare areas in time for her combat deployment."

The GHWB Strike Group includes the staffs of Carrier Strike Group TWO and Destroyer Squadron 22, the aircraft and crew of Carrier Air Wing 8 and ships: USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Anzio (CG 68) and Spanish frigate ESPS Almirante Juan De Borbon (F 102).

Joining the GHWB Strike Group during COMPTUEX are USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Boone (FFG 28), USS Carr (FFG 52), USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) and USS Monterey (CG 61). In addition to embarking onboard Bush, Holloway visited the other ships in the Strike Group and participating in the exercise, flying via helicopter to each ship over the course of three days. Holloway's first visit was with the strike group's Spanish partners onboard Borbon.

"The building of relationships and forging partnerships before the crisis occurs are key to our coalition engagement," said Holloway.

"The Strike Group Team has come together and has worked very hard so far during COMPTUEX to be in the highest state of readiness possible when we deploy," said Rear Adm. Nora Tyson, commander, GHWB Strike Group. "We're honored that Adm. Holloway had the opportunity to see just how talented and dedicated this part of his Second Fleet team is."

Bush will depart on its first-ever combat deployment in Spring 2011, serving as the flagship for Tyson and the GHWB Strike Group.

For more information about USS George H.W. Bush and the GHWB Strike Group, please visit www.cvn77.navy.mil.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.

This article was sponsored by Military Books.

USS George H.W. Bush Strike Group Underway for COMPTUEX/JTFEX

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua D. Sheppard, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs

ATLANTIC OCEAN (NNS) -- George H.W. Bush Strike Group departed for its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) and Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX), Jan. 19.

COMPTUEX and JTFEX are the final evolutions that must take place before USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) is certified for major combat operations.

"This is a great moment for this strike group and USS George H.W. Bush," said Rear Adm. Nora Tyson, GHWB Strike Group commander. "COMPTUEX is a critical step in our journey toward deployment, and I could not be more proud to be going to sea with these talented and dedicated Sailors."

COMPTUEX places the GHWB Strike Group into a training scenario loosely based upon real-world geo-political conditions. The scenario will test the effectiveness of the individual strike group components, as well as how they interact in combined operations. Challenges include small boat attacks, mines, strait transits in hostile waters and aerial, surface and sub-surface threats.

Assessors from Strike Force Training Atlantic will observe these exercises, mentor strike group staff and leaders, and assess GHWB Strike Group's performance.

Upon successful completion of COMPTUEX, GHWB Strike Group will move directly into JTFEX, which serves as the strike group's final operational exam before being certified for overseas combat operations. JTFEX will build upon the scenarios of COMPTUEX, but will also test the interactions of GHWB Strike Group with other U.S. military and coalition partners.

"We will be working extensively with coalition ships from Spain, France and Canada during this exercise," said Tyson. "They are an integral part of our team, and we look forward to working with them now and during our first combat deployment later this year."

GHWB Strike Group assets participating in COMPTUEX/JTFEX include USS George H.W. Bush, USS Mitscher (DDG 57), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Anzio (CG 68), the squadrons of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8, and the Spanish frigate ESPS Almirante Juan de Borbon (F 102). GHWB Strike Group is scheduled to depart on its first overseas deployment this spring.

For more news from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77/.