Ships from the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG) conducted a missile exercise while underway during the strike group’s sustainment exercise (SUSTEX), April 11.

The exercise, known as a Live Fire with a Purpose (LFWAP), included Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) as the officer in tactical command, with Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61) and USS Lassen (DDG 82) acting as firing units. During the event, Ramage and Lassen successfully engaged live targets using multiple weapons systems, including the Standard Missile (SM) 2, 5-inch gun, and the Phalanx close-in weapons system, demonstrating enhanced readiness and increased lethality.

According to Rear Adm. Gene Black, commander of HSTCSG, the LFWAP was designed to allow surface ships to “train like they fight” using live targets and ordnance in preparation for future operations.

“This missile exercise is part of our routine proficiency training,” said Black. “It’s good for ships to conduct the training and the rehearsals to get on the range, and then fire live ordnance at challenging targets. Overall, this evolution ensures we’re ready for the high-end fight using our most advanced weapons with very challenging tactics.”

The strike group ships involved had approximately four months of planning and coordination, and conducted nearly a dozen exercise scenarios flexing all the capabilities of the Aegis combat system to fully prepare their teams to execute the LFWAP.

Normandy, Ramage and Lassen are part of the HSTCSG conducting an integrated, comprehensive SUSTEX designed to ensure the strike group is ready to meet all mission sets and carry out sustained combat operations from the sea.

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