April 19, 2007:
For the last month, the American
carrier John C. Stennis (CVN 74) and the French carrier Charles de Gaulle (R
91) operated together off the coast of Pakistan, in support of operations in
Afghanistan. Both nuclear powered carriers supplied bombing and reconnaissance
missions for troops in Afghanistan. Aircraft conducted touch-and-go landings on
each others carriers. Thus two French Super-Etendards, two Rafales and an E-2C
Hawkeye did so on the Stennis. Each day, six sailors from each carrier, went to
the other and spent the day working there, and getting to know the routine. The
two carriers participated in a number of training exercises, and a good time
was had by all. Not only that, but the French ship carries a good supply of
alcoholic beverages, something American warships have not been able to do since
1914.