With the conclusion of an impressive deployment in the Pacific, the Aircraft Carrier Strike Group (CSG) of the USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) of the US Navy ended its presence during the “Pacific Steller” exercises alongside the French nuclear aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle of the French Navy, its escorts, and the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Kaga of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
In the early days of February, the US Navy confirmed the participation of the aircraft carrier and its strike group in the “Pacific Steller“ exercises organized by the French Navy while sailing in the region as part of the Clemenceau 25 mission in the Pacific. During this instance, in addition to the French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle and its escorts, the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Kaga was also present, showcasing the integration of naval forces from both countries and their cooperative capabilities in an increasingly hostile Indo-Pacific scenario.
Having started on February 8, the various participating units wrapped up the exercise across the Celebes Sea and the Philippine Sea on Tuesday, February 18. Throughout these days, several exercises were conducted, including anti-submarine warfare, air defense, flight deck cross maneuvers, and underway replenishment.
Regarding the participating units, in addition to the USS Carl Vinson with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2 aboard, the US Navy also deployed the Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Sterett (DDG-104) and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110). Also participating were the tanker USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO-199), the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10), and a P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
The French aircraft carrier strike group (CSG) included the destroyer FS Forbin (D620), the frigates FS Provence (D652) and FS Alsace (D656), and the fleet tanker FS Jacques Chevallier (A725), along with two Atlantique 2 MPAs deployed in the region to support the CSG. Additionally, a nuclear-powered attack submarine of the French Navy was deployed. Japan sent the Kaga, the destroyer JS Akizuki (DD-115), and a P-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft for the exercise.
It is worth noting that in the original plans for the activity organized by the French Navy, the participation of Canadian and Australian assets was also planned, although official sources did not mention them despite the fact that platforms were deployed in the area.
Finally, according to the French Navy’s schedule and considering that this was the final major exercise of the Clemenceau 25 mission, the next publicly announced deployment of the Aircraft Carrier Strike Group will be the French-Indian Varuna 2025 exercise, which will take place in India during the return trip of the CSG. It is expected that the Charles de Gaulle will remain in the region for the next few weeks, with a stopover in the Philippines at the end of February, according to a report published in January by the state-run Philippines News Agency.
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