The Enterprise Carrier Strike Group (CSG) completed its Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) Dec. 12, marking the final step in the carrier’s preparation for its upcoming 21st deployment.

The culmination of months of training, the exercise presented scenarios and situations the strike group crew may face while deployed.

“If there was any day to be on top of our game, it was today,” said Rear Adm. Terry B. Kraft, commander of the Enterprise CSG on the final day of the exercise.

On this last day of the scenario, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 and USS Enterprise (CVN 65) launched 31 aircraft in 36 minutes and, within one hour, had 41 of the air wing’s 54 aircraft airborne in support of two massive air strikes for a total of 106 sorties in one day.

“This was the biggest strike, under the worst conditions, against the most simultaneous targets that this air wing has ever accomplished, and it was all organic to Big ‘E’ (Enterprise) with no outside force support,” said Capt. Kenneth Whitesell, commander of CVW 1.

Commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet, Vice Adm. Daniel P. Holloway embarked Enterprise during the exercise. U.S. 2nd Fleet is responsible for grading the strike group’s performance.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Enterprise Carrier Strike Group men, women, Sailors and Marines, as well as the CSFTL (Commander, Strike Force Training, Atlantic) team who put them through the intense training phases,” said Holloway. “The name Enterprise resonates with millions of people around the world due to her storied history and the legacy of her namesakes.”

The scenarios also presented CVW 1 and Enterprise’s Air Department Sailors more opportunities for training on the ship’s 49-year-old flight deck.

Upon return to her homeport of Norfolk, the Enterprise CSG Sailors will take an opportunity to spend time with their families before deploying.

The Enterprise CSG consists of Enterprise, the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG 55), the guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Mason (DDG 87), USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), CVW 1 and Destroyer Squadron 2.

- U.S. Navy