French Navy Destroyer Chevalier Paul (D621) attached to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CVBG

: Posted On Wednesday, 13 February 2013 10:50

Naval Forces News - France, USA

French Navy Destroyer Chevalier Paul (D621) attached to USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) CVBG

Since January 28th 2013, the French Navy air defense Destroyer Chevalier Paul (2nd ship of Forbin class) is attached to CSG3 (Carrier Strike Group 3) which centerpiece is US Navy's nuclear powered Aircraft Carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). On February 6th, CSG3 sailed through Ormuz to reach the Gulf of Oman.

(pictures:U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kenneth Abbate/Released)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Feb. 9, 2013) The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and the French navy destroyer FS Chevalier Paul (D621) transit the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. John C. Stennis is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility conducting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.

(Picture: U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Armando Gonzales/Released)

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY (Feb. 6, 2013) Ensign Miguel Noyola, from Dallas, directs the course of the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) during a passing exercise with the French frigate Chevalier Paul (D621). Mobile Bay is deployed with the John C. Stennis Strike Group to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility promoting maritime security operations, theater security cooperation efforts and support missions for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Picture: French MoD/EMA

The integration of the Chevalier Paul is another step demonstrating how much the U.S. Navy trusts French Sailors. The French vessel had the responsibility to monitor the airspace above a particularly sensitive area of operations and contributed to the protection of the U.S. aircraft carrier and its crew of more than 5000 sailors.

After a few days of training in the Persian Gulf, U.S. Navy procedures had no secrets for French Navy personnel. Chevalier Paul found its place among the other escorts of the CVBG: the USS Mobile Bay (CG53), Ticonderoga class guided-missile cruiser and USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer. When crossing the Strait of Hormuz February 6, 2013, the French Navy Destroyer held the position usually assigned to a US Navy vessel, at the back of USS John C. Stennis.