16 Apr 2007
A French Super-Etendard from the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier French Navy Ship Charles de Gaulle (R 91) completes a touch-and-go on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74). Stennis, as part of the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, and Charles de Gaulle, the flagship of Commander, Task Force 473, are operating in the North Arabian Sea. Stennis and Charles de Gaulle are conducting bilateral exercises and supporting multi-national ground forces in Afghanistan. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Denny Cantrell (RELEASED)
Now, Murdoc’s not sure how close these usually are, but that tail end looks scary-close to the deck. Drop that hook and take part of the ship with ya:
Murdoc had thought that the Super-Etendards were retired from active (or at least front-line) duty with the French navy, replaced by the Rafale M. But not yet, obviously.
April 16th, 2007 at 10:30 am
Reading between the lines, it seems a big load of air fresheners should be en route to the Stennis.
April 16th, 2007 at 10:35 am
And you know, I wonder if the De Gaulle even deploys with live munitions. I mean, what does ’supporting multi-national ground forces in Afghanistan’ really mean? The Germans had a fit over several days regarding deployment of a half-dozen Tornados. The recon variants, at that. I wonder if the French have similar concerns, and if they do, why they effing bother cooperating with the US in this regard.
April 16th, 2007 at 11:43 am
According to this article, there are 7 Rafale M’s on the de Gualle so they must be slowing phasing out the older planes. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/rafale/ I did some active duty time in Lakehurst, NJ a few years ago – the French were using the Navy runway with a catapult to test the Naval Rafale.
April 17th, 2007 at 6:18 pm
The French are probably heavily armed. Whether they will use those arms in support is the question. If ‘La Belle France’ gets to lead and if their government ministers have not been bought off, then they will be bastards on the locals.