According to information published by U.S. Navy on May 5, 2021, the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (TRCSG) began Exercise Northern Edge 2021 (NE21) in the Gulf of Alaska.
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An EA-18G Growler assigned to the “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71. (Picture source: U.S. Navy)
The exercise includes assets from TRCSG, Makin Island Amphibious Readiness Group (MKIARG) and embarked 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, and other U.S. military units in the continental United States and from U.S. installations in the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility.
Northern Edge 21, hosted by U.S. Pacific Air Forces, is designed to provided high-end, realistic war fighter training, develop and improve joint interoperability, and enhance the combat readiness of participating forces. This is done by providing a venue for large force employment training and multi-domain operations; tactical training for the full spectrum of conflict; execute and advance adaptive basing joint tactics, techniques, and procedures; advance live-virtual-constructive capabilities; and support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's experimental initiatives.
U.S. Sailors, Airmen, and Marines will conduct training over the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complexes, Gulf of Alaska, which encompasses more than 60,000 miles of airspace throughout Alaska. Capt. Michael Langbehn, commander, Carrier Air Wing 11, expressed his appreciation for the Alaska community support.
The exercises will include scenarios for defensive air combat, close air support, and aerial deterrence of maritime forces.
The TRCSG consists of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG 52), Destroyer Squadron 23, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG 59).
Theodore Roosevelt's embarked air wing consists of the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadrons (VFA) 31, "Golden Warriors" of VFA-87, "Blue Diamonds" of VFA-146, "Black Knights" of VFA-154, "Liberty Bells" of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115, "The Gray Wolves" of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142, "Wolf Pack" of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, "Eightballers" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 and "Providers" of Fleet Logistic Support Squadron (VRC) 30 Detachment 3.
The USS Roosevelt (DDG-80) is an Arleigh Burke-class destroyer in service with the United States Navy. This ship is the 30th destroyer of her class. USS Roosevelt was the 13th ship of this class to be built at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and construction began on 15 December 1997. She was launched on 10 January 1999 and was christened on 23 January 1999. On 14 October 2000 the commissioning ceremony was held at Naval Station Mayport, Florida.
The USS Roosevelt is armed with one 5 inches (127 mm)/54 caliber Mk 45 naval gun, two 25 mm Mk 38 automatic cannons, four .50 cal (12.7 mm) machine guns, two 20 mm Phalanx CIWS Clise-In Weapon Systems, two Mk 32 triple torpedo tubes for Mk 46 torpedo and 96-cell Mk 41 VLS able to launch RIM-66M Standard surface-to-air Missile, BGM-109 Tomahawk long-range cruise missile and RUM-139 Vertical Launch ASROC anti-submarine missile.
