Free Republic

SOUTHWEST ASIA: The French Navy Carrier Air Wing returned to the coalition fight last week, flying their first missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom since November. "Our main mission while we are here is to support troops on the ground and contribute to reconnaissance efforts as well," said Lt. Col. Gerard Brunel, commander of the French detachment at the Combined Air Operations Center. It is Central Command Air Forces policy not to disclose the specific location of its forward headquarters or the CAOC.

France to muscle defense capacities with 2nd aircraft carrier France announced Friday that it will build a second aircraft carrier using conventional propulsion to reinforce its nuclear-powered Charles de Gaulle by 2015. "This development is particularly significant in the anniversary year of the Entente Cordiale and will contribute to the strengthening of both Europe's defense capabilities and Franco-British military cooperation," said French President Jacques Chirac when announcing the decision. Entente Cordiale was a pact that France and Britain signed 100 years ago to form a military alliance in World Wars I and II. Earlier in the day, Chirac's office said...

The French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle is returning to France next week, say French officials, apparently scotching suggestions that it might be heading for the Gulf. The vessel set sail on 4 February from its Mediterranean home port of Toulon, amid speculation that its final destination might be the Gulf.Officially the vessel was heading for exercises off Crete, but some military analysts believed that it would subsequently join the build-up of military forces in the Gulf. However, a senior French naval spokesman said on Monday there was “no question” of the Charles de Gaulle going to the Gulf. “As...