Slitherine

quote:

...unusually large air wing...In total, Charles de Gaulle should have 31 to 34 aircraft onboard:
» 18x Rafale ;
» 8x Super-Etendard Modernisé (SEM) ;
» 2x E-2C Hawkeye ;
» 3 to 5 CSAR and SAR helicopters including Air Force Caracal and Navy Alouette III

This should be the last operational deployment of the SEM as the aircraft which is flying for the French Navy for over 40 years now is set to be pulled out of service next year.

Around the Charles de Gaulle CVN, the CSG itself should be composed of Horizon class Air Defennse Destroyer Chevalier Paul (classified as Frigate in the French Navy), Leygues class ASW Frigate La Motte-Picquet, Durance class replenishment oiler Marne and as usual a Rubis class submarine (SSN).

quote:

150303-N-TP834-247 ARABIAN GULF (March 3, 2015) A French navy Rafale Marine aircraft from Squadron 11F embarked aboard the French navy nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle (R91) makes an arrested recovery during carrier qualifications aboard the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70). Carl Vinson is deployed as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class John Philip Wagner, Jr./Released)

quote:

140113-N-ZZ999-045 ARABIAN GULF (Jan. 13, 2014) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the "Gunslingers" of Strike Fighter Squadron 37, lands aboard the aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91). The Charles de Gaulle, flagship for Task Force 473, is conducting operations with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group to enhance levels of cooperation and interoperability, enhance mutual maritime capabilities and promote long-term regional stability in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by French Chief Petty Officer Bruno Gaudry/Released)