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).

George Washington Carrier Strike Group Strengthens Alliance with Australia, New Zealand during Talisman Sabre

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Shayla D. Hamilton,

USS George Washington Public Affairs

TIMOR SEA (NNS) -- The George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG) concluded its participation in exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 (TS15), July 18.

"During TS15 we demonstrated our pacific partnership with the Australians and Kiwis," said Cmdr. Michael Posey, lead TS15 planner, Commander Task Force 70. "The first level of TS15 validated our long-standing relationship with the Australians and it was a reminder that our two nations have fought together in every major conflict since World War II."

While Talisman Sabre has been a bilateral exercise, members of the New Zealand Defense Forces participated as embedded units within the Australian Defence Force, and members of the Japan Self-Defense Force participated, for the first time, as embedded personnel within U.S. military units.

During TS15, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 F/A-18 Super Hornets executed an in-flight tank refueling from a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) KC-30A.

According to Posey, this symbolizes the ever-growing partnership between the U.S. and Australia. The strategic partnerships and tactical interoperability were two of the important elements incorporated to achieve success in TS15.

"This exercise was planned for almost two years," said Posey. "I really enjoyed working with members from other nations and services. It has been a reminder of why we fight. To realize and see firsthand that U.S. and Australian forces share those same values has been very valuable."

TS15 is a biennial land, sea and air military training exercise between U.S. and Australian forces that features more than 33,000 personnel, 21 ships, 200 aircraft and three submarines, which increases U.S.-Australian interoperability to respond to a wide variety of contingencies and maintain security, peace, and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

Carrier Air Wing 5, Air Force specialists Conduct CSAR Training with RAAF

By Mass Communication Specialist Eric S. Brann, USS George Washington Public Affairs

TIMOR SEA (NNS) -- Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and U.S. Air Force survival, evasion, resistance and escape specialists participated in a combat search and rescue (CSAR) training exercise at Mount Bundey range training complex as part of exercise Talisman Sabre 2015 (TS15), July 15.

CSAR training is designed to practice tactics, techniques and procedures necessary to recover isolated personnel.

"When someone is in trouble and we have to provide resources like CSAR to get personnel back, it's important for us to interact with our international partners in order to help us do that," said Lt. David Barnhill, CVW 5's helicopter coordinator. "It's important for us to do this while we are in training in a controlled environment so when we have to perform in an uncontrolled environment we will demonstrate the tactics, techniques and procedures effectively."

RAAF provided the command and control aspect and air-to-air defense. CVW 5 provided helicopters and jets to contact and locate personnel and CVW 5 jets provided protection for helicopters that went in and retrieved isolated personnel.

"This was a successful training," said Barnhill. "We recovered personnel in a timely manner. In a real situation you want to get them back as soon as possible. The training was valuable for everyone involved and a lot of lessons were learned."

TS15 is a biennial land, sea and air military training exercise between U.S. and Australian forces that features more than 33,000 personnel, 21 ships, 200 aircraft and three submarines, which increases U.S.-Australian interoperability to respond to a wide variety of contingencies and maintain security, peace, and stability in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.