The U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson, and the Chief of French navy Adm. Christophe Prazuck visited the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) in the Atlantic Ocean, May 14.

While aboard, Richardson and Prazuck, toured the ship and spoke with crew members from both the U.S. Navy and crew members from the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle (R-91) about interoperability and relations between both navies.

"As I look out on the flight deck waiting to see the next launch its almost impossible to tell the difference between U.S. Sailors and French sailors as they prepare for the next launches," said Richardson. "This is exactly the level of teamwork we're going to need as we confront our high-end competitors in high-end blue water warfare."

Richardson and Prazuck praised the crews for their commitment to performing well, and to the long hours of work to maintain combat readiness.

"All this is not merely a technical or a diplomatic exercise," said Pruzack. "What we're really doing is preparing to fight together in the future if we are ever called to do so, proving our seamless interoperability is a very powerful message."

The Charles De Gaulle is currently undergoing a major refitting after serving ten deployments in the past 15 years, leaving its crew members and squadrons unable to effectively train at sea were it not for this combined operation.

"I would like to thank the entire U.S. team aboard for your generous day-to-day hospitality, for your professionalism and adaptability, for helping my team make outstanding progress alongside you all," said Prazuck. "In a few months' time, French and U.S. carriers will inevitably take turns holding the line in the most dangerous, the most demanding, theaters in the world."

USS George H.W. Bush is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting carrier air wing exercises with the French navy to strengthen partnerships and deepen interoperability between the two nations' naval forces. Interoperability allows combined forces to coherently and effectively achieve military objectives. By working together with allies and partners, we amass the greatest possible strength for the long-term advancement of our interests, maintaining favorable balance of power that deter aggression and support the stability that generates economic growth.

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