The guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), as part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, departed Naval Station Norfolk to begin composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), Sept. 2.

Gonzalez will join the rest of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to conduct COMPTUEX, which tests the strike group's ability to effectively react to real-world scenarios and perform as an integrated unit. Carrier Strike Group 4- tasked with mentoring, training and assessing Atlantic Fleet combat forces - will evaluate the strike group's performance during simulated air, surface and sub-surface threats.

"COMPTUEX is the certifying event of our deployment training. It provides a deliberate and challenging environment to both prepare and assess our ability to meet any mission requirements. We ask our Sailors to be great every day and they always deliver!" said Cmdr. Les Sobol, Gonzalez's executive officer.

Gonzalez will face a multitude of training scenarios that simulate real-world situations the ship could encounter during its upcoming deployment. Exercises include fictitious geopolitical scenarios which are meant to replicate real-world circumstances; ranging from helicopter launch and recovery, to anti-submarine warfare.

"This is our opportunity to demonstrate to the fleet commanders that we are ready to deploy and conduct operations in support of our country's national defense," said Lt. K. Slaughter, operations officer.
Following successful completion of COMPTUEX, Gonzalez will be certified to conduct worldwide operations during the upcoming deployment.

"COMPTUEX provides an assessment of our ability to effectively work as team, both within Gonzalez and throughout the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group. The crew has worked hard to prepare for this culminating certification and we look forward to demonstrating our readiness to work as a team on deployment," said Cmdr. Stefan. L. Walch, commanding officer.

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is composed of Carrier Strike Group 8, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, Carrier Air Wing 7, USS Anzio (CG 68), USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), USS Gravely (DDG 107), and USS Ramage (DDG 61).

For more news from USS Gonzalez (DDG 66), visit www.navy.mil/.