The George HW Bush aircraft carrier strike group has completed its pre-deployment graduation exercise ahead of a deployment to U.S. European Command, USNI News has learned.

USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) and embarked Carrier Strike Group 10 returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., last week after a month-long Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in the Atlantic , according to the U.S. 2nd Fleet.

“COMPTUEX lasts for several weeks, during which units are tested on their proficiency and readiness for deployment through live, scenario-based training that increases in complexity and intensity,” according to a 2nd Fleet statement.

Part of the exercises included the transfer of authority from the US 2nd Fleet to NATO Naval Strike and Support Forces (STRIKFORNATO) out of Portugal. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, currently operating in the Mediterranean Sea, came under NATO control twice during its deployment.

During the transfer of control, “the strike group used NATO reporting procedures, messaging formats and chat capabilities, reinforcing command and control and aligning communication channels to ensure a seamless process in crisis,” the statement said.
“In addition to participants from the US Navy, the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, the Italian destroyer ITS Caio Duilio (D 554) and submarines from Brazil and Colombia joined the strike group.

Bush will be embarked with Carrier Air Wing 7 along with the USS guided missile cruiser Leyte Gulf (CG-55), the staff of Destroyer Squadron 26, USS guided-missile destroyers Nitze (DDG-94), USS truxtune (DDG-103) homeported in Norfolk, Virginia, and USS farragut (DDG-99) and USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) homeported in Mayport, Florida.

CVW-7 includes:

• The “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Es from Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia.
• The “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.
• The “Knighthawks” of VFA-136 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “patriots” of VAQ-140 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Bluetails” of VAW-121 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of VRC-40 – Detachment – ​​C-2A – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
• The “Nightdippers” of HSC-5 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
• The “Grandmasters” of HSM-46 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida.

BushCVW-7 and her escorts should now relieve the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and CVW-1 which have been operating in the Mediterranean Sea since December. Truman’s planes played a key role in U.S. presence operations along NATO’s eastern front, flying 60 to 90 sorties daily, USNI News learned during a visit to the carrier in March.

Truman was extended by Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to operate in the area until he could be relieved by Busha defense official confirmed to USNI News earlier this year.

Bush completed a 30-month extended maintenance availability in August.

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