Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Brooke Macchietto | 180515-N-JU894-0137 ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 15, 2018) Aircraft assigned to Carrier Air...... read more read more
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By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Zachary P. Wickline, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs
NORFOLK, Va. (May 18, 2018) As the Rafale Marine launched into the distant skyline becoming the last French aircraft to depart from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), Sailors on the deck celebrated a successful training operation and a job well done, concluding the historic combined exercise Chesapeake 2018.
Chesapeake 2018 began in April 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 U.S. 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 on board. Having the opportunity to live, interact and work together created strong bonds and friendships between the U.S. and French sailors, which consequently, was an essential component for such success during this underway.”
Chesapeake 2018 provided invaluable training between the U.S. and French carrier strike groups as 301 French sailors embarked aboard 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 aboard the ship, demonstrating the cooperation and interoperability of both navies.
Exercises like Chesapeake 2018 allow participants to develop their expertise and demonstrate current capabilities for real-world multi-national operations with NATO partners to achieve success in carrier strike group operations. Last month, both navies conducted air strikes on Syrian chemical weapons infrastructures, and 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-U.S Navy entity to take command of U.S. 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.
For more news from USS George H.W. Bush visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn77 or www.facebook.com/ussgeorgehwbush/.
| Date Taken: | 05.17.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2018 08:43 |
| Story ID: | 277453 |
| Location: | NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 2,174 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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