Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Hue City (CG 66) departed its homeport of Mayport, Florida, June 27 to participate in a group sail in preparation for its upcoming deployment as part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2.

Hue City is taking part in the group sail in order to improve at-sea interoperability with other Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 and CSG 2 assets.

"Group sail is the first organized opportunity for CSG 2 ships to transition from operating as single units going through the basic training phase to multiship [carrier strike] group operations," said Capt. Dan Gillen, Hue City commanding officer. "This is a great opportunity for Hue City Sailors to work on their communication system interoperability, coordinate multiship operations and practice advanced warfare tactics."

Also participating in the group sail are Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Truxtun (DDG 103), USS Mahan (DDG 72), USS Cole (DDG 67) USS Laboon (DDG 58), and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58).

"The ships will conduct various communications and combat systems checks while running scenario exercises that we're likely to encounter during deployment," said Lt. Kevin Pilcher, Hue City operations officer.

Group sail provides an opportunity for Hue City crew to integrate with the ships in the strike group and embarked "Spartans" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70.

"It's an exciting time for Hue City as it marks the end of our very demanding basic phase training and the beginning of our higher-level integrated phase work-ups," said Pilcher.

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