Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic
Encyclopedia
Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL or COMSTRKFORTRALANT) is the U.S. Fleet Forces Command formation charged with training and certifying Atlantic Fleet Carrier Strike Group
s, Amphibious Ready Groups, and independently deploying surface ships. Its mission is to “Conduct safe and effective Strike Force Training of the Atlantic Fleet.”
The command was previously known as Carrier Group FOUR/Commander, Carrier Striking Force (CCG-4).
CSFTL is a one star command under the three-star Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and is based at Naval Station Norfolk
, Virginia. Tactical Training Group, Atlantic (TTGL) and Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic (EWTGL) are subordinate commands. Additionally, Destroyer Squadron 24 and its four frigate
s also fall under CSFTL.
and Mediterranean. USS Forrestal deployed to the Mediterranean from 3 August 1962 to 2 March 1963 as flagship
for ComCarDiv 4. From 1970 to 1971, Rear Admiral George C. Talley commanded Carrier Division FOUR and Task Force 60 from USS Enterprise
in the Mediterranean. Between 1971 and 1975 the organization became Carrier Group 4, affiliated with NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic, part of SACLANT. In 2004 it became Carrier Strike Group 4.
s primarily during Composite Training Exercises (COMPTUEX) and Joint Training Force Exercises (JTFEX) off the eastern seaboard of the U.S. CSFTL also trains Amphibious Ready Group
s (ARG) with their embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit
s (MEU), as well as other surface combatants not associated with a CSG or ARG. CSFTL participates in United Kingdom
led Joint Warrior exercises twice per year.
Composite Training Exercises (COMPTUEXs) are designed to integrate all warfare areas of the CSG or ARG/MEU.
JTFEXs provides the Strike Group with realistic training in joint operations prior to deployment. The exercise requires integration of the CSG’s existing warfighting ability with other Joint and Combined assets to support warfare under a challenging threat scenario. Upon successful completion, CSFTL recommends deployment certification to Commander, Second Fleet.
In addition, Fleet Synthetic Training (FST) is used throughout the training cycle to prepare units to go to sea. Synthetic training utilizes simulators and role players, and prepares units to go to sea at considerable savings (in fuel, material, etc.)
Carrier Strike Group
A carrier strike group is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft...
s, Amphibious Ready Groups, and independently deploying surface ships. Its mission is to “Conduct safe and effective Strike Force Training of the Atlantic Fleet.”
The command was previously known as Carrier Group FOUR/Commander, Carrier Striking Force (CCG-4).
CSFTL is a one star command under the three-star Deputy Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, and is based at Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk
Naval Station Norfolk, in Norfolk, Virginia, is a base of the United States Navy, supporting naval forces in the United States Fleet Forces Command, those operating in the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Indian Ocean...
, Virginia. Tactical Training Group, Atlantic (TTGL) and Expeditionary Warfare Training Group, Atlantic (EWTGL) are subordinate commands. Additionally, Destroyer Squadron 24 and its four frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s also fall under CSFTL.
History
CSFTL began as Commander Carrier Division Four (ComCarDiv 4) and generally operated in the Atlantic, CaribbeanCaribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
and Mediterranean. USS Forrestal deployed to the Mediterranean from 3 August 1962 to 2 March 1963 as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
for ComCarDiv 4. From 1970 to 1971, Rear Admiral George C. Talley commanded Carrier Division FOUR and Task Force 60 from USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise
USS Enterprise may refer to the following vessels:-United States of America:In watercraft, the prefix "USS" or "U.S.S." is applied to ships commissioned by and for the United States Navy. Private citizens also use the name unofficially...
in the Mediterranean. Between 1971 and 1975 the organization became Carrier Group 4, affiliated with NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic, part of SACLANT. In 2004 it became Carrier Strike Group 4.
Major exercises
CSFTL trains carrier strike groupCarrier Strike Group
A carrier strike group is an operational formation of the United States Navy. It is composed of roughly 7,500 personnel, an aircraft carrier, at least one cruiser, a destroyer squadron of at least two destroyers and/or frigates, and a carrier air wing of 65 to 70 aircraft...
s primarily during Composite Training Exercises (COMPTUEX) and Joint Training Force Exercises (JTFEX) off the eastern seaboard of the U.S. CSFTL also trains Amphibious Ready Group
Amphibious Ready Group
An Amphibious Readiness Group of the United States Navy consists of a Navy element—a group of warships known as an amphibious task force —and a landing force of United States Marines , in total about 5,000 people. Together, these elements and supporting units are trained, organized, and equipped...
s (ARG) with their embarked Marine Expeditionary Unit
Marine Expeditionary Unit
A Marine expeditionary unit , formerly called Marine amphibious unit , is the smallest Marine air-ground task force in the United States Fleet Marine Force...
s (MEU), as well as other surface combatants not associated with a CSG or ARG. CSFTL participates in United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
led Joint Warrior exercises twice per year.
Composite Training Exercises (COMPTUEXs) are designed to integrate all warfare areas of the CSG or ARG/MEU.
JTFEXs provides the Strike Group with realistic training in joint operations prior to deployment. The exercise requires integration of the CSG’s existing warfighting ability with other Joint and Combined assets to support warfare under a challenging threat scenario. Upon successful completion, CSFTL recommends deployment certification to Commander, Second Fleet.
In addition, Fleet Synthetic Training (FST) is used throughout the training cycle to prepare units to go to sea. Synthetic training utilizes simulators and role players, and prepares units to go to sea at considerable savings (in fuel, material, etc.)
Previous commanders
- Rear Admiral Reynold D. Hogle, 25 Sep 1961 - 8 Nov 1962
- Rear Admiral John Joseph Hyland, Jr., 8 Nov 1962 - ?
- Rear Admiral Dick H. Guinn
- Rear Admiral Lawrence R. Geis
- Rear Admiral Donald D. Engen, 1971
- Rear Adm. Richard J. O’Hanlon, as Commander Carrier Strike Group Four, 1 June 2005-2007
- Rear Adm. Donald P. Quinn 2007-2009
- Rear Admiral Gerry White, 2009-2010
- Rear Admiral Dennis Fitzpatrick, 2010-present
See also
- History of the United States NavyHistory of the United States NavyThe history of the United States Navy divides into two major periods: the "Old Navy", a small but respected force of sailing ships that was also notable for innovation in the use of ironclads during the American Civil War, and the "New Navy", the result of a modernization effort that began in the...
External links
- GlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.orgGlobalSecurity.org, launched in 2000, is a public policy organization focusing on the fields of defense, space exploration, intelligence, weapons of mass destruction and homeland security...
, Commander, Carrier Group Four/Commander, Carrier Striking Force