Dzirhan Mahadzir – August 16, 2024 1:16 PM
Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) and the French Navy Aquitane-class frigate FS Bretagne (D-655) sail together during bilateral operations in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 13, 2024. US Navy Photo
French Navy frigate FS Bretagne (D655) is carrying out the second phase of its Indo-Pacific deployment starting with drills with the U.S. Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) after conducting a crew swap in Japan. Meanwhile, submarine tender USS Emory S. Land (AS-39) is preparing to carry out a joint maintenance effort with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) on a U.S. Navy nuclear-powered attack submarine when it arrives in Australia, as part of AUKUS Pillar 1.
Bretagne deployed from France in May to participate in the Rim of the Pacific 2024 (RIMPAC 2024) exercise, carrying out drills with India and taking part in exercises Balikatan and Valiant Shield while enroute to Hawaii.
During RIMPAC 2024, the frigate carried out 23 hours of underwater warfare exercises, seven anti-aircraft warfare exercises, a gun exercise, two days of war-at-sea exercise and three replenishment-at-sea operations, according to a French Navy release.
Following the conclusion of its participation in RIMPAC 2024 on July 23, Bretagne carried out a patrol in the North Pacific Ocean “contributing to the autonomous assessment of the situation in this region and demonstrating the attachment of France, a sovereign nation bordering the Indo-Pacific, to freedom of navigation,” stated the French Ministry for Armed Forces in its update of operations.
The frigate arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, on Aug. 4, conducted a crew swap on Aug. 7 and then departed on Aug. 11 with the new crew conducting preparatory training prior to drills with the U.S. Navy and JMSDF.
On Tuesday, Bretagne and destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) conducted bilateral operations in the Philippine Sea, reads a U.S. statement.
“The U.S. 7th Fleet takes regular steps to advance our interoperability with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific, as we did during this week’s bilateral operation with our longstanding French Navy allies,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, in the release.
The ships conducted formation sailing, combined communication and simulated refueling at sea, according to the release.
On Wednesday, Bretagne carried out drills in the Philippine Sea with JMSDF destroyer JS Murasame (DD-101). “The JMSDF and the French Navy are deepening defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, including regular bilateral exercises (OGURI-VERNY), as well as enhancing cooperation and coordination in monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit maritime activities including ship-to-ship transfers with North Korean-flagged vessels,” read a JMSDF release on the drill.
The French Ministry of the Armed Force and French Navy have not stated how long Bretagne will remain deployed in the Indo-Pacific, though the crew swap indicates the frigate will operate in the Indo-Pacific for a significant period before returning home to France. This mirrors U.S. Navy littoral combat ship deployments to the Indo-Pacific, with a second crew relieving the initial crew that began the deployment.
In Australia, U.S. submarine tender Emory S. Land pulled into HMAS Stirling naval base, Western Australia on Friday, marking its seventh port visit in Australia since the ship left its homeport of Guam on May 17, stated a Navy release. The mixed crew of U.S. Navy and RAN personnel will take part in a submarine tender maintenance period (STMP) over the next several weeks as Australian technicians perform maintenance on a U.S. SSN scheduled to arrive for a port visit.
“The STMP marks a significant step toward Australia becoming sovereign-ready to operate, maintain, and support a fleet of conventionally armed SSNs, which is a central requirement in executing Pillar 1 of the AUKUS security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States,” read the release.
More than 30 Australian sailors will conduct the majority of planned maintenance work under the supervision of U.S. personnel, which will include the replacement of a mast in the submarine’s sail and a key hydraulic valve, along with the simulated removal of a large pump weighing more than 3,500 pounds from within the boat, according to the release.
“Both of our navies are benefiting tremendously from the interoperability we’ve been developing during this deployment, and are now better able to support each other’s fleets around the world. This STMP marks the first time that Australian workers will perform maintenance on an American SSN in Australian waters, but it’s really just the next step in a long partnership,” said Capt. Brent Spillner, commanding officer of Emory S. Land, in the release. “This is an important milestone and learning opportunity as we work together to establish Submarine Rotational Force – West, where both U.S. and UK submarines will regularly transit through HMAS Stirling, with maintenance and logistics assisted by Australian personnel, as they develop their own Intermediate-Level Maintenance capability for the eventual Australian SSNs.”