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Tarawa, French Navy Ship Enhance Interoperability

Navy NewsStand

Story Number: NNS081111-21
Release Date: 11/11/2008 9:29:00 PM

By Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class (SW) Bryan Niegel, Commander U.S. 3rd Fleet Public Affairs

PACIFIC OCEAN (NNS) -- The amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA 1), on her final operational underway, conducted a passing exercise (PASSEX) with the French Navy frigate F.S. Prairial (F 731) off the coast of Southern California Nov. 6.

PASSEX was a planned evolution with Tarawa, Prairial and U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Bertholf. Once the ships began working together, there was an exchange of crew members between Tarawa and Prairial as well as flag hoist drills, flashing lights and a vertical replenishment. An Allouette-3 light utility helicopter from Prairial conducted launch and landing operations from Tarawa during her last operational day at sea.

"I'm happy and proud to be a part Tarawa's long and proud history," said Capitaine de Corvette Luc Pages, Prairial's commanding officer.

Members of the French navy visited the well deck, hangar bay, medical, combat information center and the bridge where they met Tarawa's Commanding Officer, Capt. Brian Luther.

Enseigne de Vaisseau Gregoire Reneud, engineering and boarding officer aboard Prairial, said that his men enjoyed the tour and were impressed with the size of Tarawa and number of her crew members.

"We have 90 crew members aboard the Prairial, and Tarawa has over 900. That's a big difference," he added.

While the French sailors toured the Tarawa, three Sailors from Tarawa cross-decked for a visit to Prairial. They met the crew and commanding officer and saw firsthand how the other half lives and works.

"They were great. I felt welcome from the time I stepped aboard the French ship. I was treated with great hospitality, and I wonder how they could run a ship this size with so few sailors," said Cryptologic Technician Maintenance 2nd Class Kevin J. Edwards.

F.S. Prairial is currently based out of Tahiti and is on her way to Mazatlan, Mexico.

For more news from Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet, visit www.navy.mil/local/c3f/.