Crignola, embarked aboard the French carrier, is commanding
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's Task Force 50, which plans and
conducts coalition strike operations in the Middle East. Since taking
the helm on Dec. 7, the Charles de Gaulle Carrier Battle Group has
been serving as the flagship of Task Force 50 and leading naval strike
operations for Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) - the fight to degrade
and ultimately destroy the ISIL terrorist organization.
This represents the first time the French have taken
command of a U.S. Navy task force, a development that illustrates
the two countries' shared commitment to security in the region, as
well as amplifies the interoperability of the partners' maritime capabilities
during conflict.
Donegan said the decision to put the French - and
Crignola in particular - in charge of this carrier strike force was
a simple one to make.
"(Crignola) was the commander of Combined Task
Force 150, the Combined Maritime Forces task force responsible for
maritime security and counter terrorism earlier this year. He impressed
us with his leadership and overwhelming aptitude with the mission
of CTF 150, to promote maritime security in order to counter terrorist
acts and related terrorist activities. He was the perfect choice to
take on this important and historic command role.
"Interoperability in a forward deployed environment
takes time to develop, and now we see the fruits of our shared labor.
U.S. and French Navy forces have forged an alliance that has made
our countries a more formidable fighting force than either could be
alone." said Donegan. "With Rear Adm. Crignola leading a
task force that includes the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and
six escorts from four countries,
I'm confident we'll achieve our objectives in this campaign."
The U.S. Navy's enduring forward presence in the waters
of the Middle East and the continual interaction with allies and partners
played a role in enabling the French to seamlessly join the NAVCENT
command structure.
This is the French Navy's third deployment in two
years in this area of operations. Each time, they've built upon their
experience with interoperability with a U.S. Navy Carrier Strike Group.
France accepted the U.S. proposal to assume Task Force
50 duty, ensuring a presence in the region to defend allies' interests
in the struggle against violent extremism, and projecting power in
support of OIR.
"We are making a step forward regarding interoperability
building between our navies. One cannot always imagine all the dedicated
and patient common work that was necessary throughout the years to
reach such a result." said Crignola. "We must also pay tribute
to all carrier strike group commanders who definitely played a major
part for years in the process."
Crignola's leadership of NAVCENT Task Force 50 represents
the culmination of years of combined trainings and exercises meant
to deepen operational relationships with America's French allies.
The countries' longstanding partnership predates the current terrorist
threat, but is showing its immense benefits now more than ever.
Escorting Charles de Gaulle are the French air defense
destroyer Chevalier Paul (D621); the French anti-submarine frigate
La Motte-Picquet (D645); the Belgian anti-submarine frigate Leopold
Ier (F930); the German anti-submarine frigate Augsburg (F213); the
French command and supply ship Marne (A630); and a French nuclear
attack submarine.
U.S. Naval Forces Central Command is responsible for
approximately 2.5 million square miles of area including the Arabian
Gulf, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
NAVCENT's mission is to conduct maritime security operations, theater
security cooperation efforts, and strengthen partner nation's maritime
capabilities in order to promote security and stability in the U.S.
5th Fleet area of operations.
ARABIAN GULF
(Dec. 19, 2015) Vice Adm. Kevin Donegan, Commander, U.S. Naval Forces
Central Command, confers with (from left) French Navy Rear Adm. Rene-Jean
Crignola, Commander Task Force (CTF) 50, and French Navy Rear Adm. Antoine
Beaussant, ALINDIEN commander, aboard the French aircraft carrier FS
Charles De Gaulle (R 91). ALINDIEN is a French naval acronym describing
the admiral in charge of the maritime zone of the Indian Ocean, and
of the French forces there. Charles De Gaulle is serving as the flagship
of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command's CTF 50, the carrier strike force
leading naval strike operations for Operation Inherent Resolve, the
fight to degrade and ultimately destroy the ISIL terrorist organization.
(U.S. Navy Combat Camera photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd
Class Gabriel Bevan/Released)
