ATG Undergoes Drills aboard USS TR

The Afloat Training Group (ATG) Atlantic, from Naval Station Norfolk, came aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) Sept. 16, to conduct 25 days of training underway for Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP).

ATG conducts TSTA and FEP aboard every carrier prior to deployment. These evolutions test assigned Sailors’ and Marines’ knowledge and proficiency in areas such as damage control and medical readiness.

“Every carrier undergoes TSTA before deployment,” said Lt. Cmdr. Zavean Ware, the training officer aboard TR. “TSTA phases are the processes that ramp us up and help us prepare for the final evaluation and ultimately our deployment next year.”

“TR Sailors will be running at-sea fire parties, general quarters, and chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) drills for TSTA in preparation for an upcoming deployment,” said Chief Warrant Officer Nicholas Mason, TR’s fire marshal.

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) completed TSTA and FEP in August 2013. At the end of the evaluation Bush received score of 97 percent after more than 300 drills.

“We’re going to try to out do the previous carriers on the East Coast,” said Ware. “The Rough Rider mantra is to be the best, and this is just part of the process to get us to the top. The key to accomplishing this is to stay focused and stay positive.”