The
aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle set sail Friday, March 16, 2012 for
a one month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. Program: training and
rise to power.
After a maintenance period, the carrier will begin its "Getting
in Operational Condition" maneuvers (MECO). The maneuvers will
be performed during one month and their goal is to validate all of the
vessel's operational capabilities.
The first part of the deployment will be devoted to training young pilots
of Embedded Air Group (GAE). They will perform several catapult launch
and landings, both at day and night to get their qualifications. During
this period, the GAE will consist of 7 Rafales, 7 Super Etendards Modernisés
and 2 E2C Hawkeyes . |
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For the second part of the deployment, the aircraft
carrier Charles de Gaulle will be joined by other vessels to to form
a complete Battle Group (CVBG). This type of configuration is similar
to that adopted during operations Agapanthus and Harmattan. They will
participate together to FANAL exercise. 38 people from the Aero Maritime
Rapid Reaction Force (FRMARFOR) will form the core of the General Staff
exercise aboard the aircraft carrier, the Admiral Coindreau at their
head. Objective: To conduct an operation in a fictitious crisis of medium
/ high intensity, multi-threat to train each unit of the CVBG to NATO
standards.
The CVBG will consist of the air defense destroyer Chevalier Paul, anti-submarine
frigates Dupleix
and Montcalm, the command ship and tanker Meuse, the dispatch boat EV
Jacoubet. A Caiman (NH90), and a Lynx helicopters and maritime patrol
aircraft Atlantique 2 will also take part.
Source: French Navy
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