The guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG 87), assigned to Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG), departed Naval Station Norfolk for a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPUTEX), March 14.

Mason, along with the rest of Ike CSG, will go through a rigorous evaluation that tests their skills during multiple scenarios they may encounter during deployment.

"It's a compilation of all our training, and putting it into action shows that we are ready to go on deployment," said Mason's Command Master Chief (SW/PJ/DV) Ronn Shasky. "We've excelled in everything that we've done up to this point. When it comes down to it, time and time again we've proven ourselves."

Mason and her crew will be conducting flight operations, identifying contacts and sharing the information with other strike group units. Following the successful completion of COMPTUEX, Mason will be capable of worldwide operations and be deemed mission-ready for her upcoming deployment.

"The ship's crew has been preparing for this exercise and deployment for months," said Yeoman 1st Class Rhonda Jackson. "They don't take anything for granted. They're very focused, and they're proud of what they do."

IKE CSG includes the CSG-10 staff, aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, the guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61), and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 with its associated ships, USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

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For more news from USS Mason, visit http://www.navy.mil/.