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French Navy Rubis class SSN Escorted and Hunted USS Theodore Roosevelt during COMPTUEX

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Naval Forces News - France, USA
 
 
 
French Navy Rubis class SSN Escorted and Hunted USS Theodore Roosevelt during COMPTUEX
 
Following several days of stalking under constant threat from US Navy's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and Arleigh Burke class destroyers, the Saphir Commanding Officer managed to lock the massive profile of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier in the crosshair of his periscope. Another few hundred yards and the French Navy Rubis-class SSN will be in firing range. The crew inside the Combat Information Center holds its breath: the US Carrier Strike Group is on alert and the slightest noise would induce a lightning and lethal response.
     
Following several days of stalking under constant threat from US Navy's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and Arleigh Burke class destroyers, the Saphire Commanding Officer managed to lock the massive profile of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier in the crosshairs of his periscope. Another few hundred yards and the French Navy Rubis-class SSN will be in firing range. The crew inside the Combat Information Center holds its breath: the US Carrier Strike Group is on alert and the slightest noise would induce a lightning and lethal response.
The Saphir in Norfolk naval base in Virginia (with USS USS James E. Williams in the background). Picture: French Navy
     
The French Navy Saphir SSN participated in a COMPTUEX (composite training unit exercise) with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment. The French SSN was inserted in the US CSG from January 22 to February 5.

During this exercise, the Saphir successively escorted and threatened the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, according to the scenarios selected for the exercise. Following an initial phase of tactical training (for which the Saphir was not present), the exercise included two scenarios inspired by the operational environment typically found in the areas of permanent deployment of the US Navy: the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. In addition, an officer of the General Staff of the French admiral commanding the submarine and strategic oceanic forces (ALFOST) was present in Norfolk naval base in the US to advise on the optimal use of the Saphir and facilitate its control.
     
Following several days of stalking under constant threat from US Navy's P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and Arleigh Burke class destroyers, the Saphire Commanding Officer managed to lock the massive profile of the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier in the crosshairs of his periscope. Another few hundred yards and the French Navy Rubis-class SSN will be in firing range. The crew inside the Combat Information Center holds its breath: the US Carrier Strike Group is on alert and the slightest noise would induce a lightning and lethal response.
The Saphir is the second (of six) Rubis-class Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine (SSN) of the French Navy. Rubis-class SSN file picture: French Navy
     
The variety of situations and modes of control proved valuable to improve the interoperability of the two allied navies. The crews learned how to prepare and work together more effectively in theater of operations.

As far as the French Navy is concerned, the means deployed by the United States offered a stimulating environment for training the Saphir crew. From a US Navy point of view, the French SSN presence was an opportunity for US sailors to improve their multinational cooperation procedures, as well as improve their tactics (both offensive and defensive) when faced with foreign submarines. The organizers of the exercise praised the quality of Saphir's work, its ability to penetrate defenses undetected and its flexibility.
     
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 16, 2015) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) participates in a strait transit exercise. Theodore Roosevelt is underway participating in a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group's ability to effectively react to real-world scenarios and perform as an integrated unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kris R. Lindstrom/Released)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 16, 2015) The aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) participates in a strait transit exercise. Theodore Roosevelt is underway participating in a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX), which tests the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group's ability to effectively react to real-world scenarios and perform as an integrated unit. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kris R. Lindstrom/Released)
     
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 6, 2015) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) launches an SM-2 missile during a training exercise. Laboon is underway for a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael J. Lieberknecht/Released)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Feb. 6, 2015) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG 58) launches an SM-2 missile during a training exercise. Laboon is underway for a composite training unit exercise (COMPUTEX) with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming scheduled deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Michael J. Lieberknecht/Released)
     
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 22, 2015) The guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Farragut (DDG 99) conduct a strait transit exercise with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). Churchill is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Rodney Davidson/Released)
ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 22, 2015) The guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58), USS McFaul (DDG 74), and USS Farragut (DDG 99) conduct a strait transit exercise with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81). Churchill is underway conducting a composite training unit exercise with the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group in preparation for an upcoming deployment. (U.S. Navy photo by Senior Chief Culinary Specialist Rodney Davidson/Released)