Truman COMPTUEX Engages in 10th NATO Scenario Ahead of Deployment

In a recent mid-COMPTUEX NATO scenario, the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) completed a rigorous training and certification exercise. This event offered fleet staff a chance to test their capabilities in a demanding maritime environment.

“This was an outstanding opportunity to command-and-control Allied forces, to assess our staff’s strengths and weaknesses as a maritime headquarters, and to continuously improve our effectiveness as a team,” said Perry. “The level of teamwork, experience, and knowledge to be a world-class team requires consistent training and assessment. I couldn’t be more proud of our team, the Truman CSG, Navy Warfare Development Command, and CSG-4 who all worked together on this valuable training to the force.”

The NATO training event marks the tenth of its kind since 2020, aimed at preparing Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) and Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs) with Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs) for deployment. “We train, mentor, and assess Naval forces to compete at an incredibly high level,” noted Rear Adm. Max McCoy, commander of Carrier Strike Group 4. “Our ability to integrate within the Joint force alongside Allies and partners is a powerful force multiplier that elevates naval task force capabilities.”

Examples of CSG-4 led Allied training events include recent Fleet Synthetic Training with the U.K. Strike Force and the participation of the Italian Navy’s Carlo Bergamini-class frigate ITS Carabiniere (F 593) in HSTCSG’s COMPTUEX. “Working side-by-side with an Allied force is very motivating, especially with a U.S. carrier strike group – the highest expression of power projection in the world,” said Cmdr. Marco Felici, commanding officer of ITS Carabiniere (F 593).

Rear Adm. Sean Bailey, commander of Carrier Strike Group 8, emphasized the importance of collaboration with NATO Allies. “It is a privilege to work alongside our NATO Allies and partners,” Bailey stated. “The integration of these maritime countries represents another chance to hone and enhance our skills as mariners and warfighters within the NATO Alliance.”

The NATO scenario demonstrated advanced maritime capabilities and highlighted NATO’s role as a deterrent against adversaries. U.S. CSG and ARG-MEU teams have been participating in various NATO-led vigilance activities, including Steadfast Defender and Neptune Strikes. “And as we engage with nations around the world, we focus on communicating three things – that we value their partnership, we will support them in addressing their challenges, and that we will be a trusted, dependable, and durable partner,” said Secretary of the Navy Carlos del Toro in a speech at Harvard University’s Kennedy School.

Units involved in the NATO scenario included CSG-8, Harry S. Truman CSG, USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), USS Gettysburg (CG 64), Carrier Air Wing 1, Destroyer Squadron 28, and the Arleigh Burke guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), USS Stout (DDG 55), USS The Sullivans (DDG 68), and USS Oscar Austin (DDG 79).

Carrier Strike Group 4’s mission is to train, mentor, and assess carrier strike groups, amphibious ready groups, and independent deployers for global combat against peer competitors.