{"id":49438,"date":"2018-05-18T23:52:17","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T23:52:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/uncategorized\/2018\/05\/18\/joint-usfrench-carrier-ops-highlight-common-ground-and-interests\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:13:54","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:13:54","slug":"joint-usfrench-carrier-ops-highlight-common-ground-and-interests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/militarytimes\/news\/your-military\/2018\/05\/18\/joint-usfrench-carrier-ops-highlight-common-ground-and-interests\/","title":{"rendered":"French connection: Joint US-French carrier ops highlight common ground"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The last time the United States and France combined for an operation off the coast of Virginia, the French Navy defeated the British and prevented resupply of Gen. Cornwallis\u2019 troops, who were surrounded by French and American troops at Yorktown. The British surrendered and the United States won its independence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, 237 years later, the two long-time allies are at it again, this time experimenting with the idea of integrating aviation squadrons of both navies into a single air wing during an exercise called the \u201cChesapeake Deployment.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Navy officials say although the allies have operated together in carrier operations before, they\u2019ve never attempted such an extensive integration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In early April, 27 French aviators and 350 sailors arrived in Virginia with 12 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft and one E-2C Hawkeye. Starting ashore in Virginia, the French trained alongside their U.S. counterparts at Naval Air Station Oceana. The training then moved to the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush and out to sea on May 7.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201c[The French] are integrating as essentially two squadrons into an American air wing,\u201d said Capt. Jim McCall, who commands the Oceana-based Carrier Air Wing Eight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n