Guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) departed Naval Station Mayport to begin a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG), Nov. 28.

During COMPTUEX, the final phase in preparing the cruiser for its upcoming deployment, Hue City will test its operational readiness through cooperative efforts within GHWBCSG.

Hue City will be evaluated on its ability to defend critical assets in the battle group by exercising pre-planned responses through a series of varied scenarios. These realistic and challenging scenarios will allow the strike group to gauge readiness on multiple mission areas, including maritime interdiction operations, counter-piracy, and strike warfare.

"The 'Golden Dragons' of Hue City are looking forward to the operational challenges presented at COMPTUEX," said Capt. Dan Gillen, Hue City commanding officer. "This is a great exercise that will test our skills to collectively operate and fight as a strike group. Hue City Sailors have trained hard and are anxious to get on deployment."

The exercise will vastly improve Hue City's familiarization with GHWBCSG, and establish a proficient warfighting team. Upon the successful completion of COMPTUEX, Hue City will be considered capable of deploying for worldwide operations.

GHWBCSG is comprised of aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77), Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron 22, guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103) and USS Laboon (DDG 58), and guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and Hue City.

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