The amphibious helicopter carrier (PHA) Mistral aircraft on 20 January 2025 to conduct joint training with the frigate La Fayette (FLF) Surcouf and the onboard battle group (GTE) – Army detachment on board the Mistral – to implement their respective skills.
For four days, they conducted various exercises, which they will have to repeat many times during future missions, including demonstration maneuvers for refueling at sea, the implementation of visiting teams and shooting exercises in formation on a floating goal.
On 21 and 22 January, the Mistral conducted a tactical amphibious sequence, during which the detachment of the amphibious flotilla was able to train with the GTE’s ground units, belonging to the 13th foreign Legion half-brigade, in the 1st foreign engineering regiment.
Within the GTE, the “aeromobile sub-group” consists of several helicopters from the 5th Helicopter Combat Regiment (RHC) with two Caymans, a Gazelle, reinforced for the exercise of a Cayman of the 1st RHC. The latter instructs his pilots to the deck and takeoff maneuvers, called “TAG” for “touching/peeling”, day and night. On 23 January, CEPA/10S was able to conduct testing of the Navy’s new version of the rotary-wing drone, the Camcopter S-100.
This joint training achieved its objectives by allowing all units, from diverse backgrounds, to work together.