US Carrier Strike Group conducts live fire missile exercise en route to Middle East

Arleigh Burke class destroyers USS Farragut and USS Forrest Sherman, part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, have conducted a live-fire missile exercise.

During the exercise, the ships successfully executed a variety of scenarios simulating a complex environment, including the shoot-down of advanced high-speed targets.

“Beginning our deployment to the 6th Fleet area of responsibility with this complex exercise demonstrates that our weapons systems work, our Sailors know how to employ them, and most significantly, that our strike group is ready to take on any missions we are called upon to perform,” said Rear Adm. Gene Black, HSTCSG commander.

The techniques and weapons systems tested during this evolution represent HSTCSG’s capability to protect itself against a wide variety of modern air and missile threats.

Strike group ships conducted a number of drills and rehearsals prior to this event, including an integrated live-fire exercise during the strike group’s Group Sail in November. Each time, learning points were debriefed and lessons were incorporated to ensure the Combat Operations team was building expertise.

“Our surface ships face many threats, and our ability to provide combat power requires us to operate our weapons systems proficiently and promptly,” continued Black. “Each ship in our strike group brings formidable capabilities as a standalone combat force — but by integrating these assets as a carrier strike group, our power projection capability is unmatched.”

The Carrier Strike Group deployed April 11th and is reportedly heading towards the Middle East. Additionally, the vessels will work alongside allied and partner maritime forces, focusing on theatre security cooperation efforts, ‘which help to further regional stability’ say the US Navy.