The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group began a Group Sail training unit exercise May 1.

Group Sail is the first step in the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt's (CVN 71) integrated training phase and aims to enhance mission-readiness and warfighting capabilities between the ships, air wing and the staffs of the TRCSG through simulated real-world scenarios.

Roosevelt is a part of the Group Sail in order to improve interoperability with the other ships in the strike group.

"For the Sea Combat Commander staff and the ships of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, the Group Sail will be a phenomenal growing experience and a very productive stepping stone into integrated operations," said Capt. William Daly, commodore, DESRON 23.

Daly said the lessons learned with all the partner units of Carrier Strike Group Nine will make DESRON 23 a superb fighting team as they finalize their readiness for deployment.

"With the basic phase of work-up cycle complete, we begin integrated training with the entire Team Fury Strike Group this week," said Capt. Craig Clapperton, commanding officer of Theodore Roosevelt. "I am incredibly proud of the extraordinary level of effort and teamwork throughout the ship, air wing, and embarked staffs."

Lt. Cmdr. David Crescitelli, assistant chief of staff plans officer, said this would be the first Group Sail this year in preparation for the upcoming deployment.

"You have to practice how you intend to play," said Crescitelli. "You can use simulators until you're dead from exhaustion or perform tabletop exercises but Group Sail is essential because each individual unit will go out to sea, act as if deployed and integrate with TRCSG."

Group Sail is a pre-deployment underway which allows the TRCSG units, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), USS Halsey (DDG 97), USS Higgins (DDG 76), USS Preble (DDG 88), USS Sampson (DDG 102), USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Carrier Airwing (CVW) 17, and Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 staffs, to conduct exercises together in a maritime environment.

"We are now leaning forward, training and exercising our warships through many situations vital to our success during deployment," said Clapperton. "Because of the hard work, professionalism, innovation and energy of each Sailor and Marine on board, we are able to fully capitalize on this underway time. We will continue our work to be the best ship on the waterfront, always ready for any challenge."

Crescitelli said there is no substitute for our strike group getting out to sea and making sure things operate the way they are designed to.

"In preparation for Composite Training Unit Exercise we intend to be over-prepared now," said Crescitelli. "We hope to make COMPTUEX just another opportunity for the Carrier Strike Group to showcase its many superstars and to prepare us for deployment."

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