Summary (Focus on Great Power Competition): On January 16, the USS Carl Vinson Carrier Battle Group (VINCSG) and the Essex Amphibious Combat Readiness Group (ESX ARG) completed joint expeditionary strike force training in the South China Sea. The ESX ARG provided substantial air support for the U.S. Marine Corps operations, including the White Knight, the U.S. Navy's 165th Medium Inclined Rotor Squadron, and the U.S. Navy's 214th Attack Squadron, Black Sheep. The White Knight operates the MV-22B Osprey, UH-1Y Venom, AH-1Z Viper, and CH-53E Super Ogas, while the Black Sheep operates the AV-8B Harrier.
The Essex Amphibious Readiness Group and the Carl Vinson Carrier Battle Group ended their joint operations in the South China Sea.
The training includes integrated strike missions at sea, interception operations at sea, anti-submarine operations, maritime replenishment and mobile navigation operations in formations. These actions are the latest initiatives in the Indo-Pacific region to enhance naval readiness and interoperability.
"Our opportunity to conduct integrated operations with the Carl Vinson Carrier Battle Group over the past week demonstrates the U.S. Navy's commitment to defending stability in the Indo-Pacific region, not only through our combined expertise and experience, but also through the different capabilities of the U.S. Navy's large deck platforms," said Kelly Sanders, U.S. Navy Co., Co., Brigadier General, No. 1 Amphibious Squadron (Fibrunn).
The U.S. Navy's USS John Erikson and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Michael Murphy were resupplied at sea in the South China Sea.
The U.S. Navy, the French Navy and the Italian Navy's Carrier Battle Group (CSG) will conduct a rare "three-carrier operation" in the eastern Mediterranean next month, with the sword pointing to Russia.
Next month, the U.S. Navy will assemble three carrier strike groups with allies in the Mediterranean
The French Navy aircraft carrier CHARLES DE Gaulle and its Battle Group (CSG) will set sail for Mission Clemenceau 22 in early February. The French CSG will conduct a "three-carrier operation" with the Italian Navy's (Marina Militare) CSG CSG of the HMS CSG.
On March 3, 2020, the aircraft carriers HMS Charles de Gaulle and HMS Eisenhower conducted a two-carrier operation in the Mediterranean.
At a press conference held yesterday by the French Armed Forces, rear admiral of the French Navy explained that the Clemenceau 22 mission will be concentrated in the Mediterranean region, but some assets (a frigate and some fighters) will also be deployed in the Black Sea. The French CSG will initially be trained with the Italian Navy aircraft carrier HMS Cavour and the F-35B. In the eastern Mediterranean, the two carriers will be in a position to fight with Harry S. USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) CSG meets and conducts the rare "Operation Three" mission. The French CSG will carry out more activities with the AMERICAN CSG. On the way back, the French CSG will sail in the Adriatic Sea.
One F-35B landed on the Italian aircraft carrier HMS Cavour, and the other was already on the flight deck. Italian Navy pictures.
A French Navy spokesman told Navy News that this is the first time that the French Navy CSG has interacted with the U.S. Navy CSG after the two navies recently signed a strategic interoperability framework.
According to the French Navy, the carrier operation between France and the United States will be carried out in the eastern Mediterranean in February/March and will see the following:
- Joint maritime control
- Comprehensive strength projection
- C4I (Command, Control, Communications, Computer, and Intelligence) data sharing
All of this is in line with the Strategic Interoperability Framework. The Navy News explained that the focus will be on data and information sharing because the U.S. Navy uses some very strict encryption systems, and the two navies will ensure that this encrypted data can be read and accessed by the French.
The E-2D Hawkeye AWACS aircraft will be tested for the first time on a French Navy aircraft carrier
MEDITERRANEAN (January 11, 2022) On January 11, 2022, E-2D Hawkeye fighters belonging to the 126th Seahawk Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) landed on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Harry W. Bush. On the flight deck of the USS S. Truman (CVN 75). Harry P. The S. Truman Carrier Battle Group is planned to be deployed in the U.S. Sixth Fleet's area of operations to support U.S. Naval operations, maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allies, and partners' interests in Europe and Africa.
In addition, the Aircraft of the French Navy will take off and be recycled on the aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman, and the aircraft of the US Navy will take off and be recovered on the aircraft carrier "Charles de Gaulle". In particular, the E-2D advanced Hawkeye aircraft will be launched from a French naval aircraft carrier for the first time and will be tested with the French CSG. For the record, the French armed forces announced a year ago that they had approved the purchase of three E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft. The contract was officially awarded in December 2021. The E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AWACS aircraft from the U.S. Navy's 126th Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) Seahawk is currently deployed on the USS Truman nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.
A spokesman for the U.S. Navy's Sixth Fleet said in an interview with The Naval News:
"Because of the U.S. Navy's operational security policy, we do not comment on future operations. Deployments are dynamic in nature, but U.S. naval forces typically work with allies and partners to support maritime security in the U.S. Sixth Fleet's area of operations under international law. ”
Mediterranean (January 17, 2022) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier Harry S. Formations of S. Truman (CVN 75) and the Italian Navy's Andrea Doria-class destroyer ITS Andrea Doria (D553) conduct a maneuver exercise in the Mediterranean, January 17, 2022. Harry P. The S. Truman Carrier Battle Group is planned to be deployed in the U.S. Sixth Fleet's area of operations to support U.S. Naval operations, maintain maritime stability and security, and defend U.S., allies, and partners' interests in Europe and Africa.
The USS Truman strike group departed from Naval Bases Norfolk, Virginia, and Mayport, Florida, on December 1, 2021 for routine deployment. The components of the strike group include the staff of the carrier's 8th Strike Group; Commanded by Captain Gavin Duff, Harry M. S. Truman flagship; 9 squadrons of Aircraft Carrier Squadron No. 1 (CVW), commanded by Captain Patrick Holrigan; Personnel and guided-missile destroyers of the 28th Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) commanded by Captain Todd Zenner, including: USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), USS Cole (DDG 67), USS Gravely (DDG 107) and USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109); The Royal Norwegian Navy Fridschev Nansen-class frigates (F 310) were deployed as part of a cooperative deployment program; and the Ticonderoga-class cruiser San Jacinto (CG 56).
Mission Clemenceau 22
Slideshow, sketch.
Clemenceau 22 will mark the 14th operational deployment of the French CSG. At a press conference, The French Armed Forces spokesman Herve Granjean said:
"This deployment is a symbol of political and military strength. We are sending a strong message to our partners and competitors. Having an aircraft carrier with a nuclear deterrent capability is one of the reasons why France retains its rank as a permanent member of the UN Security Council. I would also like to remind you that there is a nuclear naval aviation unit on the aircraft carrier, which is one of the components of the French nuclear deterrent. In addition, the aircraft carrier and its CSG are certified by the NATO Response Force, so the aircraft carrier and its commanders are key assets of the Atlantic Alliance. ”
French CSG composition:
- Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier CHARLES DE GAULLE (R 91)
- Horizon-class anti-aircraft destroyer "Fubin" (D 620)
- USS Alsace (D 656)
- FREMM frigate NORMANDY (D 651)
- Durance-class supply ship MAN (A 630)
- A Ruby-class attack submarine
Mission Clemenceau 22, sketch.
The mission will mark the first operational deployment of the French Navy's newest frigate, the Alsace.
All Rafale M fighters (20 - 24 aircraft) use the latest standard, the F3R, the first standard for the French CSG.
Several Allied units will become part of the French CSG:
- USS Rose( DDG 71 )
- Alvaro Bazin class frigate "Juan de Borbon" of the Spanish Navy (F 102)
- An as yet-to-be-named Frigate of the Greek Navy
- An as yet-to-be-named Greek navy submarine
- The Belgian Navy's NH 90 multi-role carrier-based helicopter