Commander Strike Force Training Atlantic

Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic
CSFTL emblem
Active	c. 1940
Country	United States of America
Branch	United States Navy
Type	Fleet
Role	Atlantic Fleet Integrated/Advanced Training
Part of	U.S. Fleet Forces Command
Garrison/HQ	Naval Station Norfolk, VA
Commanders
Current commander	Rear Admiral Dennis Fitzpatrick

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 Groups, Amphibious Ready Groups, and independently deploying surface ships. Its mission is to “Conduct safe and effective Strike Force Training of the Atlantic Fleet.”^[1]

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)^[2] are subordinate commands. Additionally, Destroyer Squadron 24 and its four frigates also fall under CSFTL.

History

CSFTL began as Commander Carrier Division Four (ComCarDiv 4) and generally operated in the Atlantic, Caribbean 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.

Major exercises

CSFTL trains carrier strike groups 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 Groups (ARG) with their embarked Marine Expeditionary Units (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.^[3]

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^[4]-2007^[5]
• Rear Adm. Donald P. Quinn 2007-2009^[5]
• Rear Admiral Gerry White, 2009-2010^[6]
• Rear Admiral Dennis Fitzpatrick, 2010-present

Bibliography

• Sheehy, Edward (1992). The U.S. Navy, the Mediterranean, and the Cold War, 1945-1947. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.
• Toomey, David (2003). Stormchasers. New York: Norton.

References

1. ^ "Niet compatibele browser". Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/pages/COMSTRKFORTRALANT/122894064407751. Retrieved 2011-01-02. 
2. ^ "Ewtglant". Ewtglant.ahf.nmci.navy.mil. 2001-09-11. http://ewtglant.ahf.nmci.navy.mil/about/index.html. Retrieved 2011-01-02. 
3. ^ From Destroyer Squadron 24 Public Affairs. "CSFTL Highlights Training Value of Joint Warrior 10-1". Navy.mil. http://www.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=52767. Retrieved 2011-01-02. 
4. ^ http://www.defensedaily.com/articles/pm/2005/pm060105.htm
5. ^ ^{a b} John Pike (2007-09-18). "Strike Force Training Atlantic Holds Change of Command". Globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/09/mil-070918-nns01.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-02. 
6. ^ John Pike. "Command Strike Force Training Atlantic Changes Leadership". Globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2009/02/mil-090221-nns03.htm. Retrieved 2011-01-02. 

See also

	United States Navy portal
	Military of the United States portal

• History of the United States Navy

External links

• GlobalSecurity.org, Commander, Carrier Group Four/Commander, Carrier Striking Force