Gettysburg Returns From SUSTEX II

During the week and a half, Gettysburg conducted various types of training, including Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS), Tomahawk strike scenarios, and air defense exercises.

Upon conclusion of the final exercise battle problem, Gettysburg returned to homeport, where Sailors began the first of two pre-deployment leave periods.

Gettysburg's VBSS team conducted two separate boardings of the USNS Prevail, acting as a contact of interest.

While the VBSS teams have conducted extensive training on their own, this was their toughest evaluation to date. Operating in a virtual environment, the team boarded the vessel, searched it for illicit cargo, and detained suspects of interest.

During their final debrief, the team learned that they had earned the highest possible score of "T1" for their superb performance.

Gettysburg's tomahawk team also trained hard and often during the Sustainment Sail.

During multiple, simulated, emergent taskings, Gettysburg's strike team was required to analyze their assignment, plan their missions, and launch a virtual attack with little notice.

Each time, the team executed all requirements on time and proved their readiness for whatever lies ahead of them.

Finally, Gettysburg participated in round-the-clock air defense training for many days.

Because Gettysburg will be the Strike Group's Air Defense Commander during the upcoming deployment, it was of utmost importance that the Combat Information Center (CIC) teams took advantage of this last opportunity to train with the other units.

Most important for them was the "Final Battle Problem," conducted over the last two days of the Sustainment Sail.

Gettysburg's warfighters had to prepare for attacks from air, surface, and subsurface opposing forces. At the call of "FINEX, FINEX, FINEX," the entire Sustainment Exercise was concluded, and the ship began its return to homeport.

Gettysburg Sailors are now enjoying the fruits of their labor: well-deserved rest and relaxation.

While half the crew has departed on leave, the other half has collapsed to three sections of duty, working one duty day, one half day, and receiving one day off out of three.

Gettysburg will continue with the schedule throughout the entire standdown period.