JCS Carrier Strike Group Cruiser-Destroyer warships complete SWATT exercise

U.S. Navy Cruiser-destroyer (CRUDES) warships from the USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to port after completing a portion of CRUDES Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) on April 30.

SWATT events focus on advanced tactical training at sea to improve warfighting proficiency, lethality and ship interoperability. This is the third SWATT exercise led by Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SWMDC) and the second of the CRUDES variety.

CRUDES SWATT events provide dedicated in-port and at-sea training for surface ships that focus on watch team, unit, Air Defense Commander and Sea Combat Commander training prior to the integrated phase of training with the CSG. The exercise provides focused training in a number of specific warfare areas including Surface Warfare, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Integrated Air & Missile Defense, and Information Warfare. During SWATT exercises, SMWDC senior mentors and Warfare Tactics Instructors use replay tools that include systems data, voice, and other information to rapidly build ground truth and facilitate debrief sessions.

"Completing a SWATT prior to the integrated phase of training is like two-a-day practices during football season,” said Capt. James Storm, commanding officer of USS Mobile Bay (CG 53). “Each segment of the team - offense, defense, and special teams - all go off to become experts in what they do before coming together to play scrimmages as a team. SMWDC does a great job of sending in an offensive coordinator and a coaching staff to help me prepare with my team in our role as the Air Defense Commander, before integrating with the rest of the CSG."