Australian supply ship, HMAS Success, has supported a French
Carrier Battle Group during a recent transit through the Gulf of Aden,
providing logistic support. Success, known affectionately as the Battle
Tanker, was tasked to accompany the French aircraft carrier Charles
de Gaulle and its Task Force in February.
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“Tactically,
this was business as usual for Success. Strategically, however, working
so intimately with Task Force 473 was a significant act of support by
Australia for the French armed forces and the French government’s
broader regional intent," said Commanding Officer Success, Captain
Justin Jones.
Success cooperated with ships from different nations making up the Battle
Group, including French ships Chevalier Paul, Guepratte and Meuse and
the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate HMS Kent. Success was also tasked to
refuel FGS Lubeck as it made its farewells from the Gulf of Aden headed
for home, to be replaced by FGS Bayern.
Success rendezvoused with French Ship Meuse, its same-of-class sister
ship, for Commanding Officer discussions and handover of duties as the
TF 473 Auxiliary Oil Replenishment ship. Success was assigned to support
Commander TF 473, Vice-Admiral Chaperon.
While Success’s primary tasking was providing logistical support
for the Battle Group, the ship’s company gained a front row seat
for displays by the French Rafael Fighter Jet and Dauphine helicopter
from the carrier Charles de Gaulle.
Success also conducted a dual replenishment at sea with French Ship
Guepratte and HMS Kent; then French Ship Chevalier Paul and FGS Lubeck
the following day. Replenishing Guepratte has special significance in
the Centenary of Anzac year, noting that the French Squadron supporting
the Gallipoli landings in April 1915 was commanded by Contre-Amiral
(Commodore Equivalent) Guepratte, the so-called 'Fire Eater'.
HMAS Success’s integration with the Charles de Gaulle battle group
ended with the Task Force’s arrival in Djibouti for a logistics
visit. While the French force remained for five days, Success’s
short visit centred on a fuel top-up, before continuing back on patrol.
Success will remain in the area on its Operation MANITOU deployment
until May and continue to work with coalition Navies as part of the
Combined Maritime Forces. |
HMAS Success (centre) conducts a dual replenishment at sea evolution
with French Ship Chevalier Paul (left) and Federation German Ship Luebeck
while transiting the Gulf of Aden in support of Combined Task Force
53.