France conducts joint maritime operations with US in Indo-Pacific region

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News August 19, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States and French Navy conducted joint operations in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific in the Philippine Sea. Both naval forces conducted formation sailing, combined communication, and simulated refueling at sea.

The bilateral joint maritime operations began in the Philippine Sea on August 13. The operations included the U.S. Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) and the French Navy Aquitane-class frigate FS Bretagne (D655).

U.S. Navy’s Dewey is forward-deployed and assigned to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15. It is the largest Destroyer Squadron and the U.S. 7th Fleet’s principal surface force.

Commander of the U.S. 7th Fleet Vice Admiral Fred Kacher said, “The U.S. 7th Fleet takes regular steps to advance our interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, as we did during this week’s bilateral operation with our longstanding French Navy allies. The work we do together strengthens the combined capabilities of our professional maritime forces and enhances our ability to deter conflict in the region.”

Cmdr. Nicholas Maruca, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s Dewey, said in a statement, “Professional engagement with allies, partners, and friends operating in the region allows us to build upon our existing, strong relationships and learn from each other.”

“These sails are great opportunities to enhance interoperability, information sharing and combined warfighting capabilities with our partners and allies through realistic scenarios across a number of warfare areas,” commanding officer Maruca added.

U.S. and France naval exercise — ^{The French Navy multi-purpose frigate FS Bretagne (D 655) pulls alongside the U.S. Navy’s Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG 105) during bilateral operations in the Philippine Sea, August 13, 2024. (Image Credit: U.S. Navy/Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Greg Johnson)}

The commanding officer of the French Navy’s Bretagne, Capt. Audrey Boutteville highlighted the importance of the joint operations and said, “Our bilateral training affirms the high level of interoperability between French and American navies. The newly-swapped crew of the FS Bretagne continues to ride with high spirits established during RIMPAC as demonstrated with our cooperation with the U.S. Navy in the Philippine Sea!”

The U.S. Navy regularly operates alongside its allies in the Indo-Pacific region to demonstrate the shared commitment to the rules-based international order. Bilateral operations with allied forces provide valuable opportunities to train, exercise, and develop tactical interoperability across allied navies in the Indo-Pacific region.

The U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet is the largest forward-deployed numbered fleet. It operates in the Indo-Pacific region and plays a critical role in promoting regional security and cooperation among U.S. regional allies and partners. The 7th Fleet’s operations involve a wide range of activities, including joint exercises, maritime patrols, supporting regional partners, and responding to threats.

In recent years, the U.S. Department of Defense has been increasing bilateral exercises and training with Indo-Pacific allies and partners, including several military and naval joint exercises with Japan.