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Here's a great article I found at www.northwestnavigator.com: -- The Abraham Lincoln Strike Group has suc-cessfully wrapped up another phase of its training to ready for overseas deployment in early 2008. Carrier Strike Group 9 completed its Com-posite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX), Nov. 16. COMPTUEX is a two-part exercise of scripted and spontaneous simulations.  It is the last required qualification the strike group must complete to be certified ready for deployment. It typically represents the first time in a training cycle that a carrier strike group operates together as a cohesive team. “You guys have done well this at-sea period,” said Capt. Patrick Hall, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) commanding officer, while addressing the crews of Lincoln, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, and embarked staffs. “We have completed COMPTUEX at the highest standard. During this inspection, the crew nailed it.” The exercise is scenario driven, containing “battle problems” of increasing complexity and difficulty, as well as Blue Water Certification, which allows Lincoln and CVW 2 to operate without a divert airfield nearby. The scenarios were designed to measure the ability of the strike group to act as a coordinated, combat-ready force, and were intended to closely resemble real-life situations the carrier strike group could encounter during deployment. While Lincoln and its crew performed air operations, the other ships of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 9 worked nearby to ensure no threat, airborne, surface or subsurface could interfere with the carrier’s ability to project air power. “You’re a head of the power curve because you have learned to like each other and work together,” said Vice Adm. Samuel Locklear, commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet to some of the chief petty officers and officers of CSG 9. “We as a Navy—as a strike group—have to be able to get there together.  Your job is to be ready.” The successful completion of COMPTUEX now certifies the ALSG as Major Combat Operations Surge capable, which means the strike group can now be called upon for a surge deployment at a moment’s notice. “Every one of us can now deploy at any time,” said Hall. With COMPTUEX behind them, Abe’s crew will return to their homeport of Naval Station Everett to undergo maintenance availability.  http://www.northwestnavigator.com/index.php/navigator/regionalnews/alsg_wraps_up_comptuex1/