NAS Jax supports Truman Strike Force

Pilots and crewmembers of VFC-12 post flight two F/A-18 Hornets after returning from a mission in support of the Composite Training Unit Exercise with USS Harry S. Truman.

The exercise represents a critical training opportunity that evaluates how well ships and aircraft operate together to nullify threats from air, surface, submarine and information warfare among other potential factors.

Through its 21-day series of graded exercise scenarios, COMTUEX measures the battle readiness of the strike group for an upcoming deployment. Key to the strike group's work-up cycle, it means long days and nights of flight operations on board the carrier and at NAS Jax. "NAS Jacksonville is responsible for three different aspects of the carriers' COMTUEX exercise. First is to assist the different detachments stationed here to play the role of the aggressor aircraft throughout different missions conducted within the COMTUEX training evolution," explained Air Operations Officer Cmdr. Robert Surgeoner. "VFC-12 out of NAS Oceana, Va. flies F/A 18 Hornets conducting fighter missions against the carrier. Airborne Tactical Advantage Company (ATAC), a privately owned company has several different kinds of aircraft and can fly a variety of different missions including missile profiles and electronic warfare."

Photos by AWVAN Scott Beach A C-2 Greyhound from VRC-40 is loaded before the scheduled flight out to USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) in support of the ship's Composite Training Unit Exercise.

"The second mission," continued Surgeoner, "is the transportation of critical items needed by the ship and its squadrons and transportation of distinguished visitors (DVs). VRC-40 out of Naval Station Norfolk is responsible for the delivery of the supplies to the carrier and flying out the DVs. The last aspect of the COMTUEX we are accountable for is emergency diverting of aircraft - if for some reason they can't land on the carrier."

NAS Jax hosted VRC-40, VFC-12 and several aircraft from ATAC. VRC-40 flies C-2 Greyhounds and performs missions to and from the carrier. VFC-12 flies F/A-18 Hornets with an adversary blue camouflage paint scheme to simulate aggressor aircraft when they fly missions in support of exercises. ATAC flies aggressor missions with radar jamming equipment as well as towing drones for the ship to shoot down. "For us, COMTUEX is a two-part mission. The first part is cargo and high priority requisitions. These are things that the ship and squadrons need to perform their missions. We transport pieces and parts for the aircraft, carrier and handle logistics for the ship," said Lt. j.g. Mike Pearne of VRC-40.

"We also transport DVs to the carrier. This allows the Navy to take authorized civilians out to the ship and show them how their tax dollars are being spent, as well as showing them how a carrier operates while on deployment," he continued. "COMTUEX is a test for everyone on the carrier including squadron personnel, deck handlers and all other crewmembers."

COMTUEX is the first major exercise involving the entire strike group in preparation for the upcoming deployment later this year. The extensive exercise prepares the ship, air wing and other units in the battle group to function as one fighting force.