"It's a great opportunity for us to train at the air wing level and ultimately at the strike group level," said Lt. Matt Huffman, a naval aviator attached to VFA 131. "It's our first real combined exercise as part of the work-up cycle. We've done a lot of work at the squadron level and the unit level. This is the first time that we are going to be integrated together."
The aircraft and crew of CVW 3 is comprised of HSC 7, the "Swamp Foxes" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, the "Zappers" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, the "Screwtops" of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 123, the "Fighting Swordsmen" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 32, the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, the "Rampagers" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83 and Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131.
"We're coming aboard Ike to help out with flight operations and conduct carrier qualifications," said Lt. Ashley Strong, a naval aviator attached to the "Dusty Dogs" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7. "We'll be standing plane guard, we'll be the primary search and rescue asset for the boat, then we're here for cargo and medical evacuations, anything that's needed. It's good to get everyone together and ready for deployment."
TSTA/FEP, the final step of the basic phase of the Optimized Fleet Response Plan, is a unit-level training designed to prepare the ship, its crew and embarked air wing for full integration into a carrier strike group by measuring proficiency in a wide-range of mission-critical operation areas.
For TSTA/FEP, Commander, Naval Air Forces Atlantic and Afloat Training Group (ATG) Atlantic sends a specialized group of Sailors to asses training teams on their ability to train the crew on a variety of drills, including medical emergencies, general quarters responses, and other evolutions to evaluate the performance of Ike and air wing sailors.
The squadrons and staff of CVW 3 are part of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, also known as the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG, which includes Ike, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Monterey (CG 61), USS San Jacinto (CG 56), and USS Vella Gulf (CG 72); and the ships and staff of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 26.
