The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group has taken another step in its pre-deployment work-up cycle, completing the Fleet Synthetic Training - Group Commander (FST-GC) exercise Jan. 19.

"[FST-GC] is meant to get [Truman] ready to go to sea," said Capt. Dan Brune, commanding officer, Tactical Training Group, Atlantic. "It's to bring all the parts of the strike group to bear, to really integrate the force and to be able to operate at the high end that we need them to when they go on deployment. We want to make it harder for [the strike group] now than what they would ever see on deployment...that way if it happens [Truman] will think 'Got it. We can handle it.'"

The exercise is the largest of its kind ever run by Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 4-the training group responsible for all east coast based carrier strike groups. More than 30 surface combatants from multiple carrier strike groups, including coalition ships from France and the United Kingdoms, participated in the event.

The two-week evolution is designed to test the strike group information processing, communication flow, and decision-making in a robust and realistic threat environment, involving all services and multiple coalition countries.

"The synthetic trainer group concept allows us to flex our capabilities as a strike group across all the warfare areas while using ground stations and allied missions to help us plan and participate in a robust exercise scenario to better prepare us for deployment," said Senior Chief Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Derek McKay, CSG-8 Information Warfare department leading chief petty officer.

Along with multi-mission operations, the focus of FST-GC is to work as a team and show the strike group's capabilities leading up to its deployment.

"This evolution is a critical part of our pre-deployment training because it provides our strike group opportunities to test our responsiveness and decision-making at all levels, as one cohesive team," said Rear Admiral Gene Black, Truman Strike Group commander. "We need to be ready to respond to any potential threat or situation - the realistic training scenarios provided by FST-GC help us learn what we can do as a strike group, and how to do it better."

Truman is currently moored at Naval Station Norfolk preparing for its composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX). For more news from USS Harry S. Truman, visit http://www.facebook.com/usstruman