USS George Washington Completes CT I

The U.S. Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) completed Core Training I (CT I), July 7.

CT I is intended to train and assess the carrier’s training teams and watch standers in requisite warfare areas with emphasis on competencies such as damage control, navigation and training teams.

“[CT I] ensures that the ship and crew is safe at sea,” said Lt. Nick Long, George Washington’s training officer. “[CT I] assesses our teams so that we can remain effective and train our watchstanders in their core competencies to meet the basic requirements that keep George Washington mission ready.”

During CT I, each of the ship’s training teams plan, conduct, evaluate and critique exercises within their functional area.

“The purpose of [CT I] is to bring the crew’s core competencies up to speed to get back into their full operational mindset,” said Senior Chief Fire Controlman Stephen Compton, Afloat Training Group (ATG) Pacific team leader. “We want the crew to be up to speed in training their watch standing capabilities, rules of engagement, how to protect themselves at sea, recover from any sustained damage and how to treat themselves using first aid.”

CT I is an assessment and opportunity to train both the carrier’s training teams and watch standers in all required primary warfare areas, and to maximize effectiveness of the crew in leveraging fleet operations and exercises in carrying out U.S. 7th Fleet’s missions and operational planning.

“This gives the crew real-life scenarios with the experts at ATG,” said Compton. “This training sets the foundation for the crew coming out of the yard period to assure that they’re ready to save the ship from battle damage and continue to focus on the primary mission of the George Washington Strike Group.”

Evolutions are reviewed by ATG and Intermediate Superior in Command (ISIC) personnel, who ensure the ship’s material and administrative readiness to conduct training.

“[CT I] gives ATG members a chance to assess our training teams and watchstanders to ensure our training is effective,” said Long. “Everything we do is based on instructions and objectives defined by the U.S. Navy. We have to make sure we meet those objectives to ensure that the crew can obtain the mission we’ve been given.”

George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interest of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.

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Press Release, July 8, 2013; Image: US Navy