Makin Island Completes First CSSQT, Harrier and AAV Ops: "Sailors and Marines aboard the Navy's newest Amphibious Assault Ship returned to port Dec. 10 after completing three combat critical training evolutions.
During its 11-day underway, USS Makin Island's (LHD 8) focus was on conducting successful Combat Systems Ships Qualification Trials (CSSQT), its first Harrier flight operations and first operations with Amphibious Assault Vehicles.
Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Combat (C5) Department performed four missile shoots against low altitude/high velocity targets and four Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) shoots throughout the underway.
'This was the ship's initial CSSQT evolution, testing all Combat Systems weapon systems against multiple targets,'"
