Composite Training Unit Exercises and Joint Task ... - Govsupport.us

COMPTUEX/JTFEX EA/OEA Final Chapter 1deployed contingency and combat operations. JTFEX also utilizes a simulated opposition force andserves as the venue for U.S. THIRD Fleet to assess the readiness, interoperability, and proficiency ofnaval forces in realistic, free-play scenarios, ranging from military operations other-than-war to armedconflict. As the final certification event of the FRTP, the Strike Group must demonstrate the ability tooperate and integrate into a Joint Operations Area under simulated austere, hostile conditions.1.5 PURPOSE AND NEEDThe purpose of conducting a COMPTUEX and JTFEX is to provide final certification of readiness priorto forward-deploying forces to Combatant Commanders. The exercise incorporates a multi-dimensional,multi-threat environment that stresses all aspects of joint maritime operations.The need for COMPTUEX and JTFEX major range exercises is derived from the Congressional mandateto organize, train, and equip the military Services (10 U.S.C. 5032). The JTFEX is the certificationcurriculum the Navy uses to meet its responsibility for deploying CSGs and ESGs. The COMPTUEXand JTFEX are needed both to train and evaluate the units and staffs, and to provide an opportunity toevaluate their readiness. The COMPTUEX and JTFEX provide a three-fold evaluation process. First, theStrike Group Commander, the Commander’s staff, and the Commander’s component commanderspractice essential skills to examine and prioritize every potential threat, balance competing demands ofspecific warfare commanders, and apportion limited assets to counter threats and decisively prevail incombat. Second, the Strike Group Commanders and their staffs are evaluated by THIRD Fleet on theirability to accurately analyze and assess the tactical situation, assimilate new information, plan anddevelop courses of tactical action, and effectively conduct military operations. Third, Strike GroupCommanders are evaluated on overall mission accomplishment, interoperability, response to emergenttasking, and force protection. At the conclusion of the COMPTUEX and JTFEX, Commander, THIRDFleet certifies to Commander, Pacific Fleet the readiness of the CSG or ESG to deploy, fulfilling theNavy’s Title 10 responsibilities.The COMPTUEX/JTFEX activities need to occur in the SOCAL OPAREA, as this area is uniquelysituated to support all warfare certification requirements associated with COMPTUEX and JTFEX. Forexample, the only deepwater, instrumented range in the eastern Pacific is located just west of SanClemente Island. In addition, the SOCAL OPAREA is the only location where Naval Surface FireSupport, Military Operations Specialist spotter training, artillery landings, full-mission Sea, Air, Land(SEAL) teams, Close Air Support (CAS), and Long-range Air Strikes can occur as an integrated,coordinated series of activities during JTFEX.1.6 SCOPE AND CONTENT OF THE EA/OEAAs defined in the CEQ regulations, an environmental assessment is a concise public document that brieflyprovides sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether to prepare an environmental impactstatement (EIS) or a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). In this case, an EA/OEA is being preparedas part of an ongoing planning process intended to optimize THIRD Fleet COMPTUEX and JTFEXtraining capability and to anticipate changes in training requirements or demand. This EA/OEA assessesthe environmental effects of ongoing training at current operations levels and capacity using existingtraining assets (the No Action Alternative). The findings of this EA/OEA will allow Navy decisionmakersand other interested parties to compare the environmental effects of the proposed surgeCOMPTUEX and JTFEX training to the effects of taking no action (maintaining status quo training).February 2007 1-6