From February 23 to March 28, 2024 , the overseas patrol vessel (POM) Auguste Benebig is deployed in the permanent zone of responsibility (ZRP) of the senior commander (COMSUP) of the Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC).
During the stopover in Cairns in Australia from February 28 to March 3, the crew welcomed the commander of the HMAS Cairns naval base, Mr. Terry James, representative of the mayor of Cairns, a representative of the Alliance Française, and a representative of the local police. On Sunday March 3, the Auguste Benebig set sail again to head towards the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Papua New Guinea.
The Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC) allow France to have a permanent military presence in the South Pacific Ocean in order to protect French interests in the region and maintain France’s military partnerships in this area of strategic interest. With more than 1,650 soldiers, the FANC provides regular support to missions relating to State action at sea. They have the intervention capacity to deal with a security or climate crisis affecting the area. The FANC regularly shares its expertise in the field of HADR or maritime security with the security and defense forces of partner countries in the South Pacific.