ABU DHABI // The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle arrived in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday after five weeks in Iraq where it was part of the coalition operation against Isis.
With responsibility for a 1,000-square-kilometre area of Iraq, it was the base for 10 to 12 aircraft launches a day that made six-hour missions to provide air support and intelligence to Iraqi forces.
During its stay in the capital, it will conduct the Big Fox exercise with the UAE Armed forces, involving interoperability, common know-how and experience over four days during the carrier’s return voyage to take up station in Iraq.
“We are here in the framework of a prepared planned deployment that will last four months,” said Rear Adm Eric Chaperon, commander of Task Force 473. “France is contributing actively to the stability and security of this region and of the Indian Ocean.”
He said France was maintaining a strong and permanent naval presence in the region, with the deployment of a number of strike groups.
“France will take command of the Coalition Task Force 150, dedicated to terrorism, within a couple of days,” he said yesterday. “There are three to four task forces operating in the area and this is a clear testimony of the French engagement in the area to provide security and stability.”
The carrier’s deployment in Iraq focused on maintaining regional stability, providing maritime security and developing knowledge in areas it operated in.
“We deliver military power in Operation Inherent Resolve, which is dedicated to Iraq,” Rear Adm Chaperon said. “We have more Rafales than last year and this is our seventh deployment in the Indian Ocean since 2001.”
The Charles de Gaulle will return to Iraq on Monday where it will continue to operate closely with US aircraft carriers. It has so far completed 2,070 missions, representing 1,500 aircraft hours, as a coalition member.
“We provide surveillance, escort and monitoring to the local Iraqi forces that are ashore,” he said. “We [fly] reconnaissance missions and strike when necessary. There is still a need for military power in Iraq.”
Capt Pierre Bandier, commanding officer of the Charles de Gaulle, said the task at hand was tough.
“The flights are long,” he said. “We strike dedicated targets given by the coalition and we respond to the demands of the Iraqi forces. Along with the 60 aircraft of the US carriers, we are very near the target.”
He said US officials had confirmed ISIL had been hampered by strikes and their mobility had been tremendously reduced.
cmalek@thenational.ae
