U.S Navy’s Nimitz-Class Supercarrier Trains With French Aircraft Carrier In Mediterranean Sea

Charles de Gaulle, the only nuclear-powered flattop in service besides the U.S. Navy’s supercarriers, has been deployed under NATO’s command for the first time.

Dwight D. Eisenhower and Charles de Gaulle shared a complicated relationship — as military generals and leaders of their nations (later on).

The two respected each other during WWII, and it is fitting that the warships named for the leaders performed joint operations.

They did so in early May when the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered supercarrier belonging to the Nimitz class, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, sailed with France’s Marine Nationale carrier FS Charles de Gaulle in the Mediterranean Sea.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations, the U.S. Navy declared.

The French flattop was performing as part of the Akila mission envisioned by NATO to ascertain the alliance’s deterrence capacity in the Mediterranean.

On X, the Marine Nationale posted some images of the carriers sailing.

The Marine Nationale’s flagship, with a strike group, is deployed under the Naval Striking and Support Forces NATO.

The ongoing mission anchors France’s thriving involvement with NATO since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.

Indeed, Charles de Gaulle, the only nuclear-powered flattop in service besides the U.S. Navy’s supercarriers, has been deployed under NATO for the first time.

The same goes for her strike group, which included an air defence, a multi-mission frigate, and a nuclear attack submarine.

The flagship’s airwing includes 18 Rafale fighter jets, which comprise almost two-thirds of the vessel’s capability, along with two E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning and control aircraft.

It is also equipped with two Dauphin SAR helicopters.

The airwing is reportedly supported by a land-based maritime patrol aircraft, Atlantique 2, which operates in either a submarine or surface-warfare role.

Dwight D. Eisenhower recently concluded an almost six-month deployment in the U.S. Central Command’s zone of responsibility.

On completion of this deployment, it was sent to the region to help safeguard Israel and discourage escalations following the Hamas terrorist attacks on 7 October.

The carrier and its strike group participated in defensive and offensive operations against Houthis in Yemen, delivering additional safety to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is currently the world’s second-oldest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

She is scheduled to be replaced in/around 2029 when the USS Enterprise (CVN-80), the new supercarrier belonging to the Gerald R. Ford class, enters service.

Reference: National Interest

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