The guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey successfully completed composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group, April 12.

COMPTUEX is a compilation of scenarios designed to test a ship's ability to collaborate with other units in a carrier strike group on all levels and in a multitude of exercises based on real-world scenarios.

"We have trained through a lot of scenarios that were less than ideal," said Capt. Chris Degregory, commanding officer of Monterey. "We have learned a lot, come a long way, and it's prepared us well for deployment."

Monterey conducted several scenario-based missions including maritime interdiction operations, anti-air warfare, anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, strike warfare, cyber warfare, electronic warfare and counter-proliferation exercises.

Simulated attacks and engagements by opposing forces portrayed by U.S Navy surface ships, submarines and aircraft occurred frequently, and every Sailor played a vital role.

"We shot over 100 rounds on the MK 45 5-inch gun, over 2,000 rounds of crew-served weapons, over 350 rounds on the MK 38 25 mm machine gun and about 2,000 rounds of the close-in weapons system making a successful COMPTUEX," said Gunner's Mate 1st Class Craig Coffman.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Marsell James said that during simulated exercises, real mishaps can occur. During a replenishment-at-sea, a fuel probe did not connect properly.

"Deck division managed to come together, switch out the probes and get the fuel that the ship needed," said James. "This occurrence made our division more knowledgeable and stronger overall."

Throughout the exercise, the commanding officer and executive officer would end their announcements with the ship's slogan, "Rough and Ready!"

"This crew has performed admirably, they have grown together as a team, learned together as a team, and now they know what it's like to operate as a team," Degregory said. "They are ready to go."

Monterey deploys with the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG) later this year to conduct maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts.

Ike CSG is comprised of the Carrier Strike Group (GSG) 10 staff, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26 staff, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), the guided-missile cruisers USS San Jacinto (CG 56) and USS Monterey (CG 61) and the ships assigned to DESRON 26: the guided-missile destroyers USS Stout (DDG 55), USS Roosevelt (DDG 80), USS Mason (DDG 87) and USS Nitze (DDG 94).

For more information from USS Monterey (CG 61), visit www.navy.mil/local/cg61

For more news from USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69), visit www.navy.mil/