Press kit PEAN 12

PRESS KIT PEAN 12.1

Media Contact: Public Affairs Officer Carrier Strike Group : EV Cynthia Glock Tel. : 0033 4 94 05 19 48 / 0033 6 17 16 00 64 E-mail : [email protected]

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PRESS KIT PEAN 12.1


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Part 1

Context……….....................…….………………………………………………………………3

Part 2

Assets…………….………….…………………….…………………………………………………4

Part 3

The Carrier Strike Group………..……………………………………………………….…....5

Part 4

The Carrier Air Wing…………………………………………………….…………..…………12

Part 5

The French Maritime Force …………….…………..............................................20

Part 6

Biographies…………………………..……………………………………………………………22

CONTENTS

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PEAN 12.1 is a one-month advanced training period of the Carrier Strike Group (CSG). This

deployment mainly aims at maintaining the operational level of the battle staff and all the

units of the CSG, and the overall level of preparation and cohesion of the CSG, particularly

its power projection capability.

Within a fictitious air/maritime multi-threat environment, the program of PEAN 12.1

includes interactions with the French Army and Air Force, and with the Navies and Air

Forces of Spain, Morocco and the United States.

For the first time, the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle (CDG) will have a port visit in Spain,

and the Carrier Air Wing (CAW) will operate in Moroccan airspace.

Aim : in order for France to maintain its capability to deploy the CSG for any operational

engagement, the objective of PEAN 12.1 is to enhance the training and strengthen the

cohesion of all the units of the CSG and in particular :

- maintain the capability of command and control for the CSG battle staff

- demonstrate the ability to deploy a relevant force at sea, highly ready to be deployed

to help resolve any conflict, in the long-term period, under air, surface and

submarine threat

- maintain and develop bilateral and multilateral relationships, via interaction with the

navies and the armed forces of Spain, Morocco and the United States.

- enhance the capability of surface units to work in a CSG, by providing them with

tailored training, according to NATO standards.

PART 1 Context

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- maintain and develop interoperability with the French Army and Air Force.

Timeline:

- 30 May to 6 June : departure and work-up for the CSG battle staff

- 6 to 8 June : exercise Exocet. Multi-warfare training in anti-air and anti-surface

disciplines. Qualification of anti-surface warfare commanders

- 11 to 15 June : exercise Mojito. Power projection from the aircraft carrier, Close Air

Support (CAS) in support of Army troops deployed on the ground (11th Parachute

Brigade). Tactical focus on CAS, recce, Combat Search And Rescue (CSAR) and

Combined Air Operations (COMAO)

- 21 an 22 June : interaction with the Spanish Navy and Air Force

- 24 June : transit of the Strait of Gibraltar

- 26 to 28 June : interaction with the Royal Moroccan Navy and air-to-ground

weaponry training for the CAW

- 2 to 4 July : interaction with the US CSG 8 around the aircraft carrier USS

Eisenhower

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- Aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle

- The 85 person CSG battle staff, embarked in the Charles De Gaulle, drawn primarily

from the French Maritime Force (FRMARFOR).

- Carrier Air Wing (8 Rafale Marine, 7 Super Etendard Modernisé, 2 E2C Hawkeye)

- Anti-Air Warfare destroyer Forbin, equipped with a helicopter Caïman NH90

- Anti-Submarine frigate Montcalm, equipped with a helicopter Lynx

- Replenishment ships Var and Meuse

- 1 nuclear-powered attack submarine

PART 2 Assets

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AIRCRAFT CARRIER CHARLES DE GAULLE

Length : 261.5 m

Beam : 64.3 m

Displacement : 42,500 t

Draft : 12,50 m

Maximum speed : 27 knots (50 km/h)

Height : 75 m (the same as a 25 storey building)

Flight deck area : 12,000 m²

Hangar area : 4600 m²

Aircraft capacity : 40

Crew : 1,260

PART 3 The Carrier Strike Group (CSG)

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Aircraft launching :

- 2 steam catapultes

- Catapult launch speed : 250 km/h

- Catapult stroke : 75 m

- Catapult shot duration : 1.5 s

- Capability to launch and recover aircraft between 15 and 25t up to Sea State 5/6

- Launch rate : 1 aircraft every 30 seconds or 20 aircraft in 12 minutes

Aircraft recovery :

- Aircraft deck landing speed : up to 250 km/h

- Deck landing run out : 97 m

Propulsion :

- Two nuclear reactors developing 83,000 horsepower

- 4 turbo-alternaters, each providing 16 MW of electrical power

- 8 years of unrefuelled steaming at up to 1,000 km per day

Since obtaining operational status, the Charles De Gaulle has spent three years and eight

months at sea (not including days alongside) and has steamed the equivalent of 18 times

around the world. Between 2010 and 2011, she spent 351 days at sea, almost a whole

year, steaming the equivalent of four and a half times round the world whilst on Operations

Agapanthe and Harmattan.

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Agapanthe 2010 (13th October 2010 – 21st February 2011)

- 135 days

- CSG : aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle, destroyer Forbin, replenishment ships Meuse

and Somme, frigate Tourville and one nuclear-powered attack submarine

- CAW : 12 Super Etendard Modernisé, 10 Rafale Marine, 2 E-2C, 3 Dauphin

Harmattan (20th March mars – 12th August 2011)

- 40,000 nautical miles steames (more than 70,000 km, almost two times around the

world)

- 2,380 catapult launches and deck landings

- 120 days of air operations

- 3,600 flying hours

- 138 days at sea (four and a half months of which 63 days continuously at sea)

- The use of the aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle at sea off Libya permitted France to

maximise the use of her combat aircraft over the theatre of operations, with nearly

1,350 sorties overall. It also ensured an enhanced understanding of the situation in

order to allow for effective weapons employment.

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ANTI-AIR WARFARE DESTROYER FORBIN, Horizon class

Laid down at the Lorient DCNS dockyard on 16 January 2004

Launched on 10 March 2005

First sortie at sea on 29 June 2006

Commissioned into the Navy on 19 December 2008

Missions:

The main role of the Horizon Class warships is air defence:

- to ensure the protection of a naval or amphibious force against air threats (aircraft and

supersonic anti-ship missiles)

- to ensure the command and coordination of air operations from the sea, including

missions with foreign aircraft.

The Horizon Class also has capabilities across a range of other types of warfare, which

guarantees its ability to fulfil a diverse range of missions (maritime zone security,

commercial traffic control, Non-Combattant Evacuation Operations (NEO), etc…).

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ANTI SUBMARINE FRIGATE MONTCALM

Type : F70 Class

Pennant number : D 642

Laid down on 5 December 1975

Launched on 30 May 1980

Commissioned on 28 May 1982

Missions :

Originally built in order to ensure Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) protection of a CSG, these

frigates have recently seen their above water capabilities strongly reinforced. Now

equipped with optronic sensors and a more powerful and rapid armament, they can from

now on not only identify with certainty the threat before countering it, but also act with the

greatest possible restraint before engaging. This is important in order to prevent an

unnecessary crisis escalation.

A modern and capable warship, the F70 Class constitutes a powerful military tool, capable

of intervening to maintain or restore the peace, alone or within a national or international

Joint operation.

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NUCLEAR POWERED ATTACK SUBMARINE, Rubis class

Missions :

Attack submarines are the eyes and ears of a high-technology navy. Very efficient

submarines hunters, they are a necessary tool for the safety and support of the Strategic

Submarine Force, as well as for the protection of air and naval forces at sea. Such a

capability is currently only held by the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council.

Attack submarines are very discreet and totally autonomous for long periods, because of

their nuclear propulsion. They can be deployed in all the seas of the world in crisis areas.

Operating alone or in cooperation with other naval units (aircraft carriers, frigates etc), they

are able to provide intelligence, to hunt or to attack.

In 2017, the “Rubis” Class attack submarines will progressively be replaced by “Barracuda”

Class units.

All French attack submarines are based in Toulon.

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Composition of the attack submarine flottilla :

Rubis – Saphir – Casablanca – Emeraude – Améthyste – Perle

Technical characteristics :

Length : 73,6 m

Beam : 7,6 m

Displacement : 2670 t (when diving)

Powerplant : 1 nuclear reactor, 2 turbo-alternators

Speed : 25 knots (when diving)

Crew : 2 crews of 68 sailors

Weapons : Four 533 mm torpedo tubes for F17 torpedoes or SM-39 EXOCET anti-ship

missiles

Equipment: 1 multi-function sonar, 1 very low frequency towed-array sonar, 1 ARUR 13

radar detector, 1 satellite communications system, TITLAT combat system.

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The CAW consists of the fighter squadrons 11F, 12F and 17F (based at Landivisiau) and the

surveillance squadron 4F (based at Lann Bihoué). Operating from the aircraft carrier

Charles De Gaulle, the CAW is one part of the nuclear deterrent and constitutes a unique

military tool in Europe. Its missions include power projection, Close Air Support and

airspace and seaspace control.

When deployed on board the aircraft carrier, the CAW comprises some 540 people and up

to 40 aircraft (Rafale Marine F3, Super Etendard Modernisé and Hawkeye). The CAW also

has a helicopter detachment for Search and Rescue and liaison with the Dauphin and

Alouette III ‘Pedros’ of Flotille 35F, based at Hyeres.

The size and make-up of the CAW is a function of the mission of the Group and the tactical

environment within which it will operate.

PART 4 The units of the Carrier Air Wing (CAW)

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SUPER ETENDARD MODERNISE (SEM)

Flottille 17F

The SEM is an aircraft with manoeuvrability qualities at low and medium altitude which

make it a remarkable attack aircraft capable of dealing with maritime and land targets with

an equally diverse armament which includes nuclear weapons, air to ground and anti-ship

missiles, bombs and guns. It can be used for reconnaissance and Close Air Support

missions for troops ashore.

Missions :

- Power projection against the land (deep strike, Close Air Support and

reconnaissance)

- Power projection at sea (maritime attack with Exocet, reconnaissance and

maritime surveillance)

- Air to Air Refuelling (AAR).

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Specification :

- Wingspan : 9.60 m

- Length : 14.35 m

- Height : 3.85 m

- Maximum Take Off Weight : 11,900 kg

- Maximum straight and level speed : Mach 0.99

- Maximum dive speed : Mach 1.3

- Endurance : 1h15 or 2h15 with external fuel tanks

- Range without AAR : 2,600 km / 1,400 nm

- Engine : 1 Snecma Atar 8K50 jet engine (5 t of thrust)

Equipment :

- Inertial navigation and attack system

- On board computer and Head Up Display (HUD)

- ‘Anemone’ multi-function radar

Armament :

- AM39 Exocet anti-ship missiles

- ASMP nuclear weapon

- 250 kg bombs

- GBU-12 Laser Guided Bombs (LGBs)

- AS30L laser guided missiles

- 2 DEFA 352 cannon

- Matra 550 ‘Magic’ air-to-air missiles

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RAFALE MARINE Standard F3

Flottille 12F et Flottille 11F

Missions:

- Nuclear deterrence

- Power projection against the land (cruise missiles, GPS and laser guided weapons,

reconnaissance)

- Power projection at sea (attack against naval targets, reconnaissance)

- AAR

Entering service in 2002, the Rafale Marine, now at the F3 standard, is the most modern

French combat aircraft in service. In air combat it is extraordinarily manoeuvrable, thanks

to its numerous control surfaces and exceptionally powerful engines.

The Rafale Marine can carry out a wide range of missions from nuclear strike, through the

ability to attack ships at sea to air-to-air and air-to-ground capabilities.

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The qualities and performance of the Rafale are a result of its ‘delta-canard’ aerodynamic

form which combines a delta wing and active forward surfaces on an intentionally

aerodynamically unstable airframe. The flying control system gives the Rafale exceptional

manoeuvrability.

Used on board aircraft carriers, the Rafale provides excellent operational flexibility due to its

capability to return on board with an important amount of unused ordnance or fuel. Its

radius of action, twin-engine safety, stability during the landing approach and ability to

divert to a distant airfield ashore in the case of difficulties or extreme weather confer a

tactical utility on Charles De Gaulle that is close to that of her larger American cousins.

Specification:

- Single seat

- Wingspan : 10.86 m

- Wing area : 45.70 m²

- Length : 15.27 m

- Height : 5.34 m

- Weight :

_Empty : 10 tonne class

_Maximum : 24,500 kg

- Maximum weight of external stores : 9,500 kg

- Maximum speed : Mach 1.8 or 750 knots

- Carrier approach speed : 120 knots

- On station time : Greater than three hours.

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E-2C HAWKEYE

Flottille 4F

The E-2C Hawkeye was built by Northrop Grumman and has been in service with the US

Navy since 1973. The most modern E-2C ‘Group II+’ version was delivered to France and

incorporates new developments to the combat and navigation system. The E-2C is the only

aircraft of its type that can be embarked in an aircraft carrier.

Missions :

- Ensure the security of a naval force in the face of air and surface threats, thanks

to its detection, long-range identification, fighter control and guidance capabilities.

- Support interception and attack missions against naval and land objectives and to

compile the tactical picture.

- Relay information and data to the CSG and participate in special operations to

guide transport and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopters.

Specification :

- Wingspan : 24.60 m

- Length : 17.60 m

- Height : 5.6 m

- Maximum weights : 25 t (take off), 21 t (deck landing)

- Empty weight : 18,364 kg

- Endurance : 5 to 6 hours

- Maximum altitude : 40,000 feet

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- Maximum speed : 345 knots

- Cruise speed : 300 knots

- Engines : 2 Allison T 56-A-427 turboprops

Equipment :

Navigation system : 2 GPS-coupled ring laser gyro systems.

Communications systems :

- 2 tactical datalink systems (L11 and L 16) which allow it to distribute the air and

maritime picture to the whole of the Group.

- 6 V/UHF radios, of which 3 are encrypted and frequency-hopping.

- 2 HF radios for long range communications.

- 1 UHF Satellite Fleetsatcom radio.

Sensors :

- 1 APS145 radar (range greater than 200 nautical miles).

- 1 IFF interrogator / transponder (range greater than 300 nautical miles).

- 1 AN/ANR73 electronic surveillance system (for the detection and identification of

electromagnetic emissions from surveillance and fire control radars from ships or

ashore).

- All of the information from its sensors is managed by a computer system which

can simultaneously track 1,800 of its own contacts and 700 tracks or reference

points provided by other units.

Crew : 5 persons. Pilot, co-pilot, Combat Information Centre Officer (CICO) for tactical

coordination, Air Control Officer (ACO) for fighter control, Radar Officer (RO) for situation

management.

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DAUPHIN

Flotille 35F

Specification :

- Rotor diameter : 13.29 m

- Length : 11.41 m

- Height : 4 m

- Speed : 135 knots

- Endurance : 4 hours or 400 nautical miles

- Altitude : 12,000 feet

- 2 Turbomeca Ariel 1 MN turboshafts each of 760 horsepower

- ORB-32 radar

Crew :

4 including one diver.

Two essential missions :

- Aircraft carrier safety (surveillance of day and night catapult and deck landing

flight deck operations) and Search And Rescue (SAR) for pilots if they end up in

the sea. This mission is carried out by the Pedro Dauphins.

- Search, safety and rescue at sea in the framework of public service missions

(dispersed at four public service sites : Le Touquet, Cherbourg, La Rochelle and

Hyères). This mission is carried out by the Public Service Dauphins.

Since 1 July 2001, all Dauphin, both Pedro and Public Service, are flown by Flottille 35F.

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The Commander of French Maritime Force (COMFRMARFOR) is an admiral in the French Navy,

ready to take command at short notice of a multinational maritime component, a Task Force

or a Task Group.

COMFRMARFOR is the advisor to the functional (Amiral, commandant la Force d’Action Navale

(ALFAN)) and operational (Etat-Major des Opérations (EMO) or Etat-Major des Armées

(EMA)) headquarters for the conduct and employment of French aeromaritime forces.

PART 5

French Maritime Force Command (FRMARFOR)

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Regardless of whether it is deployed in peacetime, crisis or conflict, FRMARFOR is organised

and equipped to engage in missions under NATO, the European Union or as part of a

coalition. FRMARFOR also operates within the qualified structure of the NATO rapid reaction

force – called the NATO Response Force (NRF). During the second half of 2010, France took

on the alert for the fifteenth rotation of the NRF.

Ashore, as at sea, the multinational FRMARFOR is organised into functional cells along NATO

lines. Its peacetime complement is 109 with representation from ten allied nations. During

deployments, reinforcements (60 people) from identified French and allied organisations

complete the manning of this headquarters Staff.

When not deployed on operations or exercises, the staff plans for future activities and follows

the course of international events from a headquarters ashore, based in Toulon in the south

of France. When it is embarked in a flagship, the headquarters staff uses planning and

meeting rooms, as well as its own means of communication. FRMARFOR can be deployed at

any time to anywhere in the world at very short notice.

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Rear-Admiral Philippe COINDREAU

Commander, French Maritime Force

Married and the father of three children, rear-admiral Philippe Coindreau was born in Toulon

on June 12, 1959.

He entered the French naval Academy in 1979. After the officers’ training session on the

helicopter-carrier Jeanne d’Arc, and an assignment on the cruiser Colbert, he chose the

specialty of pilot of the Naval Aviation. In January 1983, he joined the Academy of

certificated naval aviation officers located in Salon de Provence, before following his training

on multi-engine aircraft. In July 1984, he qualified as a Naval Aviation pilot. Assigned in

November 1984 within the squadron 21 F in Nîmes-Garons as a pilot on Bréguet Atlantic

aircraft, he took part in the Silure operation from Gabon in 1985.

Promoted to lieutenant in August 1986, he was assigned to the Squadron 22F as an aircraft

commander. Deployed in mission in Djibouti in August 1987, he participated in the

beginning of the Prométhée operation. From November to December 1988, he was sent in

mission to Chad within the context of Epervier operation.

PART 6

Biographies

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In September 1989, he was named as an instructor on board the Jeanne d’Arc. Then he

joined the Squadron 23F in September 1990. He was then involved in operationally bringing

into service the Atlantique 2.

In September 1993 he was assigned to Nîmes-Garons within the Maritime Patrol Training

Cell in charge of the operational monitoring of maritime patrol cruise.

In September 1994 he joined the War College in Paris and was then assigned to the Joint

operational Center of the Defense Staff within the Yugoslavia Crisis Cell.

From 1996 to 1998, he was in command of the Squadron 23F, established in Lann Bihoué

station in Lorient.

In September 1998, he was assigned to the Tactical Staff of the Admiral in command of the

Naval Action Force and, in 1999, he participated in the Trident Operation in Adriatic, on

board the Aircraft Carrier Foch during the Kosovo conflict.

In 2000, he took part in the last campaign of the Foch, for the Myrrhe mission.

In April 2001, he received the command of the frigate Surcouf based in Toulon. After a

Corymbe mission in the Guinea Gulf between June and July 2001, he participated in the

Heracles Operation off the Iran’s and Pakistan’s coasts, from February to May 2002.

In September 20002, he was assigned to the Staff of the Commander of the Mediterranean

Maritime Zone in Toulon and became head of the Naval Airforce Division. In July 2003, he

was named as the Commander of Lann Bihoué Naval Air Station. In September 2005, he

attended the 55th Class of the Center of Advanced military Studies (CHEMS) and the 58th

Class of the Institute for Advanced Defences Studies (IHEDN).

From July 2006 to September 2009, he was assigned as a military assistant of the Ministry

of Defence General Secretary for Administration.

In September 2009, he joined the French Maritime Force Command (FRMARFOR) as deputy

commander. He led the Atalanta operation in 2010. Two years later, he became the

Commander for FRMARFOR, and led the Harmattan operation in 2011.

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Rear-Admiral Bruno DEMEOCQ

Deputy Commander of the French Naval Action Force

Born in France in 1959, Rear Admiral Bruno Deméocq enters the French Naval Academy in

1979. After initial training, he is posted during the summer of 1982 as executive officer of a

minesweeper in Brest before taking command in 1984 of the landing ship “EDIC 9091”

stationed in Djibouti.

After Surface Warfare Officer School in 1986, he spends the next 10 years as an anti-

submarine warfare specialist aboard the destroyers “Maillé-Brézé” and “Latouche-Tréville”,

the nuclear attack submarine “Rubis”, and at the headquarters of the SSBN squadron in

Brest and of the submarine force in Paris. During that period, he assumes command of the

landing ship “Francis Garnier” based in Fort de France in the Caribbean.

He then attends the US Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island (senior course - class

of 97), before being posted at the office of the French chief of naval operations.

After this 2 year tour in Paris, he takes command of the destroyer “Georges Leygues”,

assuming the duty of escort ship of the training ship “Jeanne d’Arc”. In August 2000, he is

posted as Dean of studies at the French naval Academy in Brest.

Promoted to the rank of Captain in 2001, he becomes in July 2002 chief of staff of the

admiral, deputy commander of the surface fleet, responsible for the ships based in the

Atlantic, before being assigned in August 2005 to the staff of the Joint War College in Paris.

Ten years after the Newport experience, Rear Admiral Deméocq attended the National War

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College in Washington D.C. where he earned in June 2007 a Master of

Science in National Security Strategy. After spending the next three years as French naval

attaché to the Unites States, he was assigned to the Joint Staff in Paris as military assistant

to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

He became on September 12, 2011, deputy commander of the surface fleet, responsible for

the ships based in the Atlantic (West coast of France and Saint Pierre and Miquelon), in

charge of personel, training and readiness, and was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral

on May 1st, 2012.

Officer of the French “Légion d’Honneur”, of the National Order of Merit and of the US

Legion of Merit, Rear Admiral Bruno Deméocq is married to Claudie and father of four

children, a girl and three boys.

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CAPTAIN Olivier LEBAS

Commander, Aircraft Carrier Charles De Gaulle

Born on the 24th of June, 1964, Captain Olivier Lebas joined the Navy in September 1987

after earning his bachelor's degree in engineering from the Institut catholique des Arts et

Métiers.

He began his career as a Watch Officer onboard the mine sweeper "Pégase" where he

participated in a 6 month deployment to the Persian Gulf during the Iraq-Iran war. Earning

his wings as a naval aviator in 1991, Captain Lebas completed various deployments

embarked with his squadron on aircraft carriers, primarily in the Super Etendard

Modernised (SEM). He has flown equally in the F8P Crusader and the Mirage 2000 RDI as

an exchange officer within the French Air Force in Cambrai. During these 10 years, he was

regularly embarked on the aircraft carriers Foch, Clémenceau and Charles De Gaulle. He

completed numerous flight missions over Bosnia and Serbia from 1993 to 1995. In 1996, he

participated in the enforcement of the "No Fly Zone" over Iraq. In 1999, he was engaged in

missions in the Kosovo theatre.

His time as an embarked carrier airwing pilot concluded with his command of the 17F

squadron which participated in "Operation Enduring Freedom" over the Afghanistan theatre

in 2001 and 2002. He has completed 2,230 flight hours and 441 carrier arrested landings of

which 72 where night landings.

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After graduating from the War College in July of 2004, he rejoined the helicopters carrier

"Jeanne d'Arc" and completed two campaigns as the "Operations Officer" in charge of the

training of all the embarked midshipmen. Nominated in January 2007 as the Commanding

Officer of the stealth frigate "Aconit", he completed numerous operational missions in the

Indian Ocean and off the coast of Lebanon.

In July of 2009, he was designated as the Executive Officer of the "Charles de Gaulle". He

left the aircraft carrier in February of 2011 to complete a course of study at the "NATO

Defense College" in Rome. Captain Lebas became the Commanding Officer of the aircraft

carrier "Charles de Gaulle" on August 1st, 2011.

Captain Lebas is also Commander of the Order of the Légion d'Honneur. Captain Lebas is

married to Perrine Duthu and they have four children.

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CAPTAIN Hervé HAMELIN

Carrier Air Wing Commander

Captain Hervé Hamelin entered the French Naval Academy in September 1988 and

participated in an exchange on board the Chilian sail training ship Esmeralda.

After the officers’ training period on board the helicopter carrier Jeanne d’Arc, he was

appointed to the amphibious assault ship Orage as an officer of the watch and an aviation

watch officer. At this time he took part in Operation Provide Comfort to help the Kurds in

northern Iraq as well as in the Libage mission in Haiti.

A volunteer for service in naval aviation, he was selected at Salon de Provence on the

Fouga Magister to join the fighter school at Tours on the Alphajet, where he was awarded

his wings in September 1993. His training continued in the United States where he

qualified in deck landings on the T-2 Buckeye on board the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz and

later on the A-4 Skyhawk on board the USS Theodore Roosevelt. Awarded his US Navy

fighter pilot’s wings in May 1995, he moved to the embarked fighter school at Hyeres in the

south of France on the Super Etendard.

Promoted to Lieutenant on 1 August 1995, he joined Flottille 11F in January 1996. As a

member of this front-line squadron he deployed to the Adriatic Sea on board the aircraft

carrier Clemenceau in 1996 where he qualified as an operational pilot.

In 1998-99 he was appointed as an instructor at the junior officers’ training period and he

embarked in the Jeanne d’Arc for their annual cruise as the head of aviation, in charge of

54 men. When the Jeanne d’Arc was diverted to provide assistance in the wake of

Hurricane Mitch, he organised the French and Honduran air assets during Operation

Cormoran.

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Following his return to France, he rejoined Flottille 11F on board the aircraft carrier Foch in

order to participate in the conflict over Kosovo until June 1999. Promoted to Lieutenant

Commander, he obtained his attack formation leader qualification during the Myrre 2000

mission, Foch’s last deployment. In the summer of 2000 he joined Flottille 17F as the

operations officer. He qualified at the NATO Tactical Leadership Programme in Portugal and

then was appointed to Flottille 11F in the summer of 2001 as the Executive Officer. In

November he was detached to reinforce Flottille 17F for Operation Héraclès where he took

part in the first aerial reconnaissance and Close Air Support missions over Afghanistan,

flying 19 combat sorties in total.

Qualifying as a strike leader in the autumn of 2002, he commanded Flottille 17F between 10

July 2003 and 27 June 2005, a period notable for including the second deployment of Super

Etendards over the Afghan theatre.

Having been selected for the Joint Defence College in 2002, he joined the Ecole Militaire on

1 September 2005 where he assumed the role of the naval president within the 13th course.

From March 2006, he started training at the Higher Business School and obtained an

Executive MBA in December 2007.

In the summer of 2006 he was appointed to the Centre for the Planning and Conduct of

Operations (CPCO) as an officer within the J5 cell. As part of this job, he was the French

operations group liaison officer within the Multinational Interoperability Council (MIC) and

participated in the MNE5 multinational experiments as well as being a planning expert.

During his time at the CPCO, he wrote a paper on the ‘strategic direction of crisis

management’, for which he was rewarded in May 2008 by receiving the second prize of the

St Cyr Foundation. After a year as the Executive Officer of the anti-air warfare destroyer

Jean Bart, he assumed command of the frigate Courbet on 27 July 2009.

He has been in the role of the French Carrier Air Wing Commander and the commander of

the Training, Instruction and Mission Preparation Centre (CEIPM) since September 2010.

A Knight of the Legion of Honour, and decorated with the Croix de Guerre and two Croix de

la Valeur Militaire, he has a total of 440 deck landings of which 113 were at night, 2,800

flying hours and 22 years of service.

He is married and is the father of four girls.

Press kit PEAN 12

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Transcript of Press kit PEAN 12