The navies of US and France have concluded a “historic combined exercise” as the last French Navy Rafale jets took of from the flight deck of US Navy aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).
The exercise, named Chesapeake 2018, began in April this year at Naval Air Station Oceana and continued at sea, resulting in a full integration of the French navy air wing into a single, unified carrier air wing.
The at-sea portion of the training lasted from May 7-18 and included the French Carrier Air Wing, Carrier Air Wing Eight (CVW) 8, and embarked staff from Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 2.
“The French sailors acclimated very well to the US carrier and the environment because of their experience operating off the Charles De Gaulle,” said Capt. Sean R. Bailey, Bush’s commanding officer. “Furthermore, our sailors were very welcoming and supportive of the French sailors coming onboard. Having the opportunity to live, interact and work together created strong bonds and friendships between the US and French sailors, which consequently, was an essential component for such success during this underway.”
A total of 301 French sailors embarked onboard the Bush to maintain naval aviation proficiency and develop their expertise for real-world multi-national operations.
The exercise presented multiple combat scenarios including cyclic flight operations and combat search-and-rescues in addition to completing a series of arrested landings and launches by both countries’ aircraft, totaling 458 sorties and 752 traps, which resulted in 724.5 flight hours.
One of the highlights during the event was the arrival of the highest-ranking officers from each navy, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson and the Chief of Staff of the French navy Adm. Christophe Prazuck.
“The relationships being built during this exercise will matter when it comes time to operate together in combat conditions,” said Richardson.
During the exercise, more than 180 training evolutions and missions were accomplished onboard the ship, demonstrating the cooperation and interoperability of both navies.
Chesapeake 2018 builds on previous cooperation between the two countries in carrier strike operations. In June 2016, Adm. Richardson presented the Charles De Gaulle (R-91) with a U.S Meritorious Unit Commendation for their success of being the only non-US Navy entity to take command of US Naval Forces Central Command’s Task Force 50 during operation Inherent Resolve.
Chesapeake 2018 is named for the historic battle of Chesapeake during the Revolutionary War during which French naval ships cut off British supply lines to General Charles Cornwallis’ army in Yorktown, Virginia. The French navy’s engagement stranded Cornwallis’ army, and less than eight weeks later he surrendered to Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army.