Tag Archives: François Hollande

French, U.S. Naval Aviators Learn to Work Together Ahead of Middle East Deployment

French, U.S. Naval Aviators Learn to Work Together Ahead of Middle East Deployment

Cmdr. Marc, commander of the French carrier airwing training at Naval Air Station Oceana. USNI News photo

NAVAL AIR STATION OCEANA, Va. — Since carrier flight skills atrophy over time, French naval aviators are spending two months training with US Navy air wings so they’ll be ready for missions this summer when their carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R91) finishes repairs after almost two years in the yard.

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French Rafale Fighters to Deploy on Carrier USS George H.W. Bush This Spring

French Rafale Fighters to Deploy on Carrier USS George H.W. Bush This Spring

French navy Rafale Marine aircraft from the aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R91) fly in formation above the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on Dec. 8, 2017. US Navy Photo

ARLINGTON, Va. – France is sending 350 sailors and naval aviators to deploy with a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier this spring as their nuclear-powered carrier finishes scheduled maintenance, French officials told USNI News. Read More

French Fighters Launch from Carrier Charles de Gaulle Against ISIS Targets in Iraq

French Fighters Launch from Carrier Charles de Gaulle Against ISIS Targets in Iraq

A French Dassault Rafale M launches from nuclear carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on Nov. 23. French Ministry of Defense Photo

A French Dassault Rafale M launches from nuclear carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea on Nov. 23. French Ministry of Defense Photo

The French Navy launched strike fighters to against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria targets in Iraq from its nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) on Monday, the French Minstry of Defense announced. Read More

Marine Harriers Strike ISIS Targets; French Carrier Leaves for Middle East

Marine Harriers Strike ISIS Targets; French Carrier Leaves for Middle East

An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), launches from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on Nov. 19, 2015. US Navy Photo

An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), launches from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on Nov. 19, 2015. US Navy Photo

Naval forces resumed air strikes against the Islamic State this week after a one-month pause in participation in Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the Navy announced today. Read More

Hollande: French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Leaves for Middle East on Thursday

Hollande: French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Leaves for Middle East on Thursday

French carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91). French Navy Photo

French carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91). French Navy Photo

This post has been updated with a revised schedule for deployment of French carrier Charles de Gaulle.

France is sending its nuclear aircraft carrier to the Middle East on Thursday for its second deployment this year against the combined forces of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, president François Hollande told the French parliament during an emergency Monday meeting. Read More

France to Sell Mistral Amphibs to Egypt

France to Sell Mistral Amphibs to Egypt

The two Mistrals built for Russia. Reuters Photo

The two Mistrals built for Russia. Reuters Photo

The French government is planning to sell two Mistral-class amphibious warships — built for Russia — to Egypt, according to a Wednesday morning statement from Élysée Palace. Read More

French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Bound for India After Two Months of Strikes Against ISIS

French Carrier Charles de Gaulle Bound for India After Two Months of Strikes Against ISIS

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), left, and the French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) transit the Northern Arabian Gulf on March 8, 2015. US Navy Photo

USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), left, and the French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) transit the Northern Arabian Gulf on March 8, 2015. US Navy Photo

French carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) has left the Persian Gulf after about two months of strike operations against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS or ISIL) militants, according to local press reports. Read More