Breaking news
French Navy Rafale M Fighters May Conduct Combat Missions From a US Navy CVN in 2017.
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Naval
Forces News - France, USA |
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French
Navy Rafale M Fighters May Conduct Combat Missions From a US Navy CVN
in 2017 |
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French Navy (Marine Nationale) Rafale M carrier-based multirole fighters
may conduct combat missions against the Islamic State (IS) in Iraq and
Syria from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier as soon as January 2017. The
information comes from French TV channel TF1 (video
in French). According to TF1 this subject was discussed between
US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter and French Navy Rear Adm. Rene-Jean
Crignola, Commander Task Force (CTF) 50. The US Defense Secretary was visiting the French Navy aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle on Saturday. |
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ARABIAN GULF
(Jan. 13, 2014) A Rafale aircraft, assigned to the French aircraft carrier
Charles de Gaulle, prepares to launch from the aircraft carrier USS
Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during carrier qualification integration. Harry
S. Truman, part of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, is conducting
operations with units assigned to French Task Force 473 to enhance levels
of cooperation and interoperability, enhance mutual maritime capabilities
and promote long-term regional stability in the U.S. Fleet area of responsibility.
(U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Karl Anderson/Released)
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The
reason why the French Navy would deploy its Rafale M aboard a US Navy
aircraft carrier for combat operations is because of the planned
major refit (Major Technical Shutdown or IPER in French) for
France's sole aircraft carrier. The Charles De Gaulle next refit is
scheduled for the start of 2017 and is expected to last a year and a
half. |
MEDITERRANEAN
SEA (June 4, 2010) A French navy maintenance team, assigned to Rafale
squadron 12F, conducts an engine swap-out aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft
carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) as part of interoperability operations
with the French navy. Harry S. Truman is deployed as part of the Harry
S. Truman Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations
and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet
areas of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist
3rd Class Zachary Montgomery/Released) |
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If
this was to happen, it would be the first time that French Navy aircraft
would fly actual combat missions from an American aircraft carrier. The
US Navy and French Navy are used to demonstrate their interoperabilty
and Rafale M fighters have landed and launched several times already,
almost on a yearly basis. The most recent examples are March
2015 when the two allied navies teste, implemented and improved
their interoperability while on theatre and while actively engaged in
combat missions in the Gulf. In January
2014, the same type of training happened as well, while on theatre. According to TF1, as many as 18 Rafale M could be deployed on the US Navy aircraft carrier. Some room would have to be made for the French Navy support crew as US Navy sailors are not familiar with maintaining the Rafale M aircraft. Likewise, room would have to be made for spare parts and ammunitions for the French aircraft. Contacted by Navy Recognition, the French Navy public affairs didn't want to comment the information. |
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