Two FREMM train together in the Indian Ocean

(B2) The French frigate Auvergne (D-654), passing through the Indian Ocean, took the opportunity to develop exercises with the flagship of the European Union maritime operation EUNAVFOR Atalanta, ITS Virginio Fasan (F-591). The crews of the two sister ships, from the same Franco-Italian mold of multi-mission frigates (FREMM) trained in different crisis situations, in particular the fight against piracy.

FS Auvergne is currently on patrol in the Arabian Sea as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. A few days before, after a stopover in Djibouti, the French crew had been attacked by a detachment of marine commandos. An exercise for the men, based at the Arta camp, to demonstrate their ability to deploy on a moving building to take control of it. At the same time, an Air Force Puma helicopter had carried out a landing session; enough to maintain the pilots' qualifications for this perilous maneuver, and to train the aviation watch officers and the frigate's aircraft controllers.

(NGV)