France dispatches frigate to join US and British naval forces poised for Syria strike

The French Navy has dispatched the Chevalier Paul (D621) to join multinational naval forces assembling for a possible strike on Syria. The Horizon-class air-defence frigate lacks its own strike capability, but will support the 4 US Navy cruise missile equipped destroyers and Royal Navy attack submarine/s currently on-station in the Eastern Mediterranean.

La frégate : Le Chevalier Paul quitte Toulon pour rejoindre la flotte internationale au large de la Syrie

La France décide d’envoyer au large de la Syrie une frégate, en l’occurence le Chevalier Paul. Elle doit rejoindre rejoindre la flotte internationale qui se trouve actuellement au large des côtes syriennes.

© Photo : Boris Horvat/AFP

Plusieurs bâtiments sont déjà sur place, prêts à intervenir, dès que l’ordre leur en sera donné : 4 frégates lance-missiles de l’US Navy et des sous-marins nucléaires d’attaque américains et britanniques.

© France3 Côte d’Azur

http://cote-d-azur.france3.fr/2013/08/29/la-fregate-le-chevalier-paul-quitte-toulon-pour-rejoindre-la-flotte-internationale-au-large-de-la-syrie-308641.html

PANAMAX 2013 multinational exercise begins

France? Where does France fit into the Monroe Doctrine? An exception made for le centre spatial guyanais, no doubt.

Britain (cricketers from Guyana notwithstanding) was apparently not invited. Argentine shirtiness, no doubt.

US, Partner Nations Kick Off PANAMAX 2013

US, Partner Nations Kick Off PANAMAX 2013

Approximately 160 military personnel, including Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sinclair Harris, and personnel from 19 nations arrived at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) headquarters Aug. 12 to begin exercise PANAMAX 2013.

U.S. and partner nations train in the execution of stability operations under the support of United Nations Security Council Resolutions; provide interoperability training for the participating multinational staffs; and build participating nation capability to plan and execute complex multinational operations.

This year’s annual PANAMAX exercise develops and sustains relationships that improve the capacity of the nation’s emerging and enduring partners’ security forces to achieve common desired goals, while fostering friendly cooperation and understanding among participating forces.

During the exercise, Harris will act as the commander of Multinational Forces South.

”The governments of the countries participating in PANAMAX share common interests and this exercise enhances those links by fostering friendly, mutual cooperation and understanding between participating militaries,” Harris said. “This multinational exercise also contributes to interoperability, and builds the capabilities of the participating nations to plan and execute complex multinational operations.”

PANAMAX 2013 is a U.S.-sponsored, multinational annual exercise that, this year, includes participants from Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and the United States.

The exercise will conclude Aug. 16.

http://navaltoday.com/2013/08/13/us-partner-nations-kick-off-panamax-2013/