When is a Carrier Strike Group (CSG) considered surge ready?

A Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is considered surge ready when they have completed integrated phase training. This training ensures that all ships, aircraft, and personnel in the CSG can operate cohesively and effectively as a unified force. Integrated phase training involves various exercises that emphasize coordination among the different elements of the strike group, such as air dominance, maritime security, and mission readiness. Completion of this training signifies that the CSG is prepared to respond to operational demands at a moment's notice, demonstrating their capacity to engage in sustained combat operations and fulfill mission requirements efficiently.

The other options, while important in their own right, do not directly indicate a state of readiness for surge operations. Additional funding may enhance capabilities, but it does not determine operational readiness. Simulated combat exercises contribute to training, but they do not fulfill the comprehensive requirement of integrated phase training, which ensures full operational integration. Lastly, fitness tests are crucial for individual readiness, but they are not the metric by which a CSG's surge readiness is assessed.