Carrier Strike Group 12 Completes Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Malachi Lakey | 220922-N-LK647-0031 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Sept. 22, 2022) Fire Controlman (AEGIS) 2nd Class John Velazquez monitors the integrity of the computer systems aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) following the ship’s completion of Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT). Normandy is underway as part of the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group conducting SWATT exercises to increase lethality, ensure combat readiness, and promote tactical innovation. SWATT is led by the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, whose mission is to increase the tactical proficiency and lethality of the surface force. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Malachi Lakey)  

ATLANTIC OCEAN

09.22.2022

Story by Petty Officer 1st Class Spencer Fling    

Carrier Strike Group 12

Carrier Strike Group 12 (CSG 12) completed its Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) Sept. 22, 2022. SWATT is the Surface Navy’s premier advanced tactical training exercise, developed and led by Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC), which provides multi-ship, multi-platform, multi-warfare area training at sea to increase combat capability, lethality and interoperability.

"SWATT provided Warfare Tactics Instructors to ships for several weeks of high-end combat planning and execution, followed by extensive debriefings that improved our performance over the weeks at sea," said Capt. Stefan Walch, Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON 2) Commodore.

Units participating in the event include SMWDC, DESRON 2, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60), and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Ramage (DDG 61), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS James E. Williams (DDG 95).

"I am extremely proud of the nearly 1,200 Sailors and airmen across the task force who performed exceptionally well during intense combat scenarios including live-fire gunnery against inbound threats and at-sea training in the latest tactics for the air, surface and subsurface fight,” said Walch. “We departed SWATT's capstone event an integrated team better prepared for the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group deployment by harnessing the mentorship and training of WTI's."

While SWATT focuses on tactical watch stander proficiency – including tactical action officers, warfare coordinators, and warfare-centric watch stations - supporting the event involves every Sailor assigned to the ship.

“Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training has provided Normandy’s crew with the opportunity to improve tactical proficiency across multiple warfare areas,” said Capt. Simon McKeon, Normandy’s commanding officer. “Air defense, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, and electronic warfare exercises have given the crew a chance to further refine the skills they will need to operate effectively on this upcoming deployment, and to develop multi-ship interoperability with the other warships and aircraft that comprise Carrier Strike Group 12.”

Much of CSG 12, including its flagship, the first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), are underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting qualifications and workups for a scheduled deployment this fall.

For more information about the USS Gerald R. Ford, visit https://www.airlant.usff.navy.mil/cvn78/ and follow along on Facebook @USSGeraldRFord on Instagram @cvn78_grford on Twitter @Warship_78 and DVIDS https://www.dvidshub.net/unit/cvn78

• Date Taken: 09.22.2022
• Date Posted: 09.25.2022 17:14
• Story ID: 430052
• Location: ATLANTIC OCEAN