February 21, 2020. 20:51
French aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle docked on
Friday morning in Limassol port.
After its
arrival, French Lieutenant Marc Aussedat, commander of the Task Force 473 of which
the carrier is part said he was pleased with the hospitality in Cyprus, “which
has always been a partner of the French navy.”
Admiral
Aussedat said that the Task Force 473 consists of the Charles de Gaulle
aircraft carrier and a number of support vessels involved in “inherent
resolve”, against ISIS.
Although there
is no longer an Islamic State, he said, there are activities of its fighters
that the task force is trying to bring to an end.
He added so far
no targets have been hit by aircraft.
The contribution to the operation by the aircraft
carrier, he said, focuses on reconnaissance flights, while noting that “our
aircraft are ready to show their presence by air and if needed, we could attack
targets.”
For his part,
the pilot of the aircraft carrier, Captain Guillaume Pinget, said the Charles
de Gaulle departed from Toulon, France on January 21, and after a month at sea,
staff will have a break in Cyprus until February 26.
He explained the aircraft carrier has 1,200 sailors
and 600 marines, as well as members of navy personnel, while it currently
transports 20 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft, two E-2C Hawkeye early warning
and control aircraft, a Caïman helicopter and two Da-helicopters.
Pinget said the
aircraft carrier could remain at sea for long periods of time, since it can be
refueled and equipped at sea, but noted that staff has to rest on land at
intervals.
He recalled
that the French aircraft carrier visited the port of Limassol in 2010 and 2016
and expressed his satisfaction with the level of service and hospitality in
Cyprus.
President Nicos Anastasiades and other government and
military officials as well as members of the diplomatic corps serving in Cyprus
are to attend the vessel on Saturday at 12.20 when a reception is to take
place.