During live-fire with a purpose (LFWAP), led by Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, George H.W. Bush detected, tracked and engaged drone targets to validate the capabilities of the onboard weapons systems and demonstrate the crew’s warfighting readiness.

“There was a lot of focused training and intense maintenance in the weeks leading up to this event,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Benjamin Wappelhorst, George H.W. Bush fire control officer. “This evolution should instill confidence in every Sailor aboard that our ship’s self-defense system is ready to go and will keep us safe during deployment. The equipment is operational and our tactically minded watchstanders in Combat Direction Center are prepared for any threat.”

This was the first time George H.W. Bush launched a missile in three years and the first coordinated exercise George H.W. Bush conducted with Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26.

“Today we verified that George H.W. Bush’s crew is ready to deliver lethal combat capability,” said Capt. Robert Aguilar, George H.W. Bush commanding officer. “As we strengthen our warfighting team through integration with the strike group, we will continue developing tactically-minded Sailors that bring our warship to life to do our nation’s business.”

George H.W. Bush recently completed the events needed to complete Tailored Ship’s Training Availability/Final Evaluation Problem with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7. George H.W. Bush, CSG-10 and CVW-7 will join DESRON-26 and the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55) to begin the advanced and integrated phases of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan including a combined exercise – Group Sail – where they will sail together as the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group.

George H.W. Bush provides the national command authority flexible, tailorable warfighting capability as the flagship of a carrier strike group that maintains maritime stability and security in order to ensure access, deter aggression and defend U.S., allied and partner interests.

For more information about George H.W. Bush, head to the command’s Facebook (www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush), Instagram (www.instagram.com/ghwbcvn77) pages or head to the official webpage (www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn77).