The Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group and the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group met in the Red Sea recently.

The Charles de Gaulle Carrier Strike Group, composed of aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, destroyer FS Forbin and the Royal Danish Navy Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate HDMS Niels Juel and the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, composed of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, cruiser USS Mobile Bay and destroyer USS McFaul, conducted dissimilar aircraft training, a nighttime gun exercise (GUNEX), a liaison officer exchange programme, and a photo exercise.

The aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74), front left, the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (F 91), front right, the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG 74), the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53), the Royal Danish Navy frigate HDMS Niels Juel (F 363) and the French F70AA-class air defence destroyer FS Forbin (D 620) are underway in formation in the Red Sea, April 15th, 2019.

“French Rafale aircraft and American Super Hornets conducted air-to-air combat and tanking (refueling) training,” said Cmdr. Desobry Bowens, Carrier Air Wing Nine’s operation officer (CAG-Ops) embarked aboard the John C. Stennis.

“The Rafales also performed touch-and-go procedures on the [John C. Stennis’] flight deck.”

The ships and their crews were put through several integrated training events, say the US Navy in a release.

“We did a liaison officer exchange, where their CAG-Ops and admiral spent time aboard the John C. Stennis, and our admiral went to the Charles De Gaulle,” said Bowens.

“We also exchanged landing signal officers from both aircraft carriers to cross-train. Both carriers have similar aircraft landing equipment.”

Conducting joint operations and exercises in the region with allied NATO partners is beneficial to everyone involved say the US Navy.

“[This] PASSEX enhances partnerships with our NATO allies, and promotes interoperability,” said Bowens.

“We can better understand how each other operates. [The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group’s] mission often includes presence operations, and when we work in combined airspace, we show strength through resolve. We’re not just two aircraft carriers passing by each other at sea, we’re working together.”

A similar viewpoint was shared by French leadership.

“This PASSEX with John C. Stennis strike group, a few days only after entering the Red Sea, emphasizes Charles de Gaulle’s come back at its highest level,” said Capt. de Saint Germain, commanding officer of Charles de Gaulle.

“That kind of interaction is the best way to increase our interoperability with our American ally.”

The John C. Stennis also provided targets for French Rafales to strafe at during the nighttime GUNEX.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Nick C
Nick C
4 years ago

That photo looks very like a Merlin helo, I thought at first it was an NH 90 but it isn’t. Presumably it is Danish? Nice to know our Allies are flying Westland’s best!

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago
Reply to  Nick C

I believe the Danish operate Merlins but not sure If the Niels Juel carries them.

PeterDK
PeterDK
4 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

We do, and it does, although it is actually our MH60 Sea Hawks that are intended for naval service.

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago
Reply to  PeterDK

Thank you, I did not know that.

PeterDK
PeterDK
4 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

We do, and Niels Juel-class frigates can embark Merlins which is however not the normal case. MH60R Seahawks are intended for shipborne operations.

Cam
Cam
4 years ago
Reply to  Nick C

Shame we can’t get more orders for them, the polish seem to be buying the merlin, I hope is more than two…

Nick C
Nick C
4 years ago
Reply to  Cam

Cam. I believe the Polish order is intended to be for four aircraft, presumably either the same or very similar to the UK HM 2.

HF
HF
4 years ago

I don’t know where they are but there’s a few ships missing from the USN group. The size varies but usually there’s two permanently attached Arleigh Burke DDGs, a Ticonderoga class cruiser, asw frigate, replenishment ship and an ssn.

Cam
Cam
4 years ago
Reply to  HF

And the french strike group, normally replenishment ships and frigate. But is a carrier strike group smaller than carrier battle group?

Helions
Helions
4 years ago
Reply to  Cam

Yes it is Cam. A CSG has about 4-5 fewer escorts than a full out Cold War era CBG. However, the USN is trending back towards larger deployments of vessels with a carrier. The Lincoln CSG is currently training to deploy with 2 cruisers and a full DESRON.

Cheers!

Andy
Andy
4 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Is that NINE destroyers and frigates?

Steve R
Steve R
4 years ago
Reply to  HF

They’ll likely be around, just out of sight for the photo; too many ships to fit in if both carriers and all their escorts crammed in close together.

What’s a likely escort fleet for the QE? 2 destroyers, 2 frigates and a sub plus SSN?

Helions
Helions
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve R

I’m betting 1 T45, 2 T23’s, an Astute, an UNREP, and perhaps a T31 when they join the fleet.

Cheers!

Helions
Helions
4 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Also an AB class USN BMD capable destroyer along with the embarked USMC VMFAs.

Simon
Simon
4 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Been doing some analysis on this recently. You can go for minumum but generally you have to have some kind of attritional contingency. One of these is the intersting requirement for a GP frigate (cheaper AAW ship) to cover the rear.

Minimum is therefore 1 T45, 2 T26 (ASW) and something else that can do pop-up missile defence. If the latter is a T45 we have principle AAW redundancy, if not we’d have to bug out as soon as we lose the “up threat” T45.

andy reeves
andy reeves
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve R

I THINK AN RFA AT THE BACK,WITH A 26 SITTING IN FRONT OF IT, JUST BEHIND THE PRINCIPLE VESSEL CARRIER OR ALBION A T45 IN FRONT, OF THE CARRIER AND TWO T23 ON THE WINGS AND AN ASTUTE OUT IN FRONT WITH MERLIN ASW IN ANY GAPS AND A FEW F 37B ON AIR PATROL COVER.

andy reeves
andy reeves
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve R

I THINK WE NEED ANOTHER TWO OR THREE DESTROYERS.

Trevor
Trevor
4 years ago
Reply to  Steve R

And the French carrier has a Dutch ship as escort as well so the idea that we would not have that same sort of extra escort is quite likely. And how easy would it be for the French to scrape up all their necessary escorts?

Helions
Helions
4 years ago
Reply to  HF

Many times the strike group escorts are off conducting independent operations from the group but remaining within the umbrella of the CSG’s air coverage. Increasingly you will be seeing large deck amphibs also acting in the CSG role albeit with smaller capabilities.

https://www.businessinsider.com/uss-mini-carrier-strike-groups-are-proving-their-worth-in-combat-2019-4

Cheers!

HF
HF
4 years ago
Reply to  Helions

Thanks !

andy reeves
andy reeves
4 years ago
Reply to  HF

THEY’RE HIDING FROM A SWEDISH GOTLAND SUBMARINE THAT KEEPS GETTING PAST THEIR SHIPS AND EMBARRASSING THEM.

andy reeves
andy reeves
4 years ago

two carriers that HAVE GOT THEIR AIR WINGS EMBARKED. AND NOT WAITING FOR EVENTUAL DELIVERY

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago
Reply to  andy reeves

Is THERE A CAPS LOCK ISSUE TONIGHT ?

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

Several downvotes above for no actual Reason whatsoever.
Think I’ll make it my mission now to just high light this pointless feature on here. !!!!!

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

Wednesday Evening must be children’s night !!!

Hello Kids, Hows It hanging ?

Sceptical Richard
Sceptical Richard
4 years ago

Why is the aft of the two Arabel Radar domes missing on the CDG?

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago

Probably been Down Voted !!!!!

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

Anyone know where Hero, TH, Ulya, Iqbal and a few other posters are tonight ?

just sayin.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

I had a nice chat with Ulya yesterday Cap. Herodotus has not been on for some time. TH surfaced once and was flagged and removed.

Keithdwat
Keithdwat
4 years ago

What has happened to Rear Gunner Richards, I miss him!

Keithdwat
Keithdwat
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

?

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

Keith, You have obviously upset one of a few !

Personally, I think He’s still here, Under another name.

Not going to say what It Is though.

Airborne might though !!!!!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

You mean you missed Armageddon last week???

If RGR is still reading, hi!

Keithdwat
Keithdwat
4 years ago

Are you talking about the captains and Richard cage match??

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

I must have missed that, what are you saying???

Keithdwat
Keithdwat
4 years ago

I don’t keep up religiously with this, I pop in and out every now and again! But what happened last week??? I saw RGR and (I think) the captain having a lot of arguements, or am I wrong?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

Wrong. RGR and the Captain are thoroughly disliked by another poster. Clashes often occur, and sometimes I would be dragged into it. One due to my political beliefs being similar to theirs, and two by association as I enjoy chatting and laughing with them both, as well as my usual serious posts on UK military ORBATS, bases, units, and stuff. Well after yet another spat things were said, and RGR was banished. I won’t say what was said out of respect for George. As I said at the time I had no problem RGR, I found him hilarious and he… Read more »

Keithdwat
Keithdwat
4 years ago

Damn, how did I miss all of that!
I guess it was already deleted by the time I was one, bit that’s sad, I always like RGR as well! If your out there RGR, hi!
I have a feeling I know who the other poster is!

Keithdwat
Keithdwat
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

I just got the names a bit mixed up there.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

Thought you might….

Captain P Wash
Captain P Wash
4 years ago

Well, I’ll bow to your better Judgement on that Daniele but with Reservations.

Been There, Seen It, got the Tee Shirt.

One of the Site’s I’m on had a real problem with haters, It got a bit messy as the majority were Ex Service People. Mostly Ex FI. Vets.

The upshot was, We had a cull.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Captain P Wash

Better judgement on Ulya Cap?

Who knows? She has not disrespected me in any way and I treat posters likewise. You think she is not what she says? I have no reason to doubt her myself.

Naive of me? Maybe.

If she is Russian, and on this website, quite happy to talk with her. If she is not, and is a he or something else, I’m still happy to talk with him!

Keithdwat
Keithdwat
4 years ago

Yeah, I like ulya, I’ve had a couple of nice conversations with her, she seems to be a nice person, id say she is russian. She’s not here to pick fights, I think she’s just here to get different opinions, she’s very respectful and there doesn’t seem to be any I’ll feelings, as there should be really!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Keithdwat

That is pretty much how I see it too mate.

Lusty
Lusty
4 years ago

Just thought I’d say hi. I’ve been a bit busy so not commenting too much.

Nice photo, but QE looked far better alongside the US carrier when they had their photo op. But I am bias of course!

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Lusty

Evening Lusty, our navy expert. 🙂 Agreed.
Soon it will be our turn.

Lusty
Lusty
4 years ago

Evening our formations expert. 😉

You’re too kind.

I can’t wait to see QE or POW will a full battlegroup. Chuck in an Albion, Bay or Argus and I’d be even happier. Of course the real prize will be QE and POW together…maybe later this year?

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli
4 years ago
Reply to  Lusty

Likewise.

For a photo op certainly.

But on ops I guess only in wartime where the s**t really has hit the fan.