This morning brought the arrival of 2 French Warships, La Fayette and Misteral.
(Above) FS La Fayette (F-710) is a Frigate, and launched in 1996, Making her a contemporary of the RCN’s Halifax Class. She was First of Class, and this type is also used by the Saudi Navy.
FS Misteral (L-9013) is an Amphibious assault ship, and lead ship of her class. She was commissioned in 2006. She features a landing craft dock, and Helicopter facilities.
DND Issued the Following Statement.
Approximately 200 Canadian Army soldiers from 5 Canadian Mechanized
Brigade Group in Valcartier, Quebec will take part in Exercise LION
MISTRAL alongside members of the French Navy and Royal Canadian Air
Force from June 16-23, 2014, in Gaspé, Quebec. Following a visit to
Halifax Harbour on June 16-17, 2014, The Mistral, a French warship, escorted by the frigate La Fayette, will proceed to the Gulf of St. Lawrence and the St. Lawrence River to participate in Ex LION MISTRAL.
Canadian Army soldiers, primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment (1 R22eR), will board The Mistral, the French amphibious assault ship and helicopter carrier in Halifax on June 18. Canadian Army troops will conduct littoral operations, including
running air-land operations and battle procedures, and establishing a
helicopter landing site and a beachhead. Ex LION MISTRAL will also
feature a humanitarian assistance air evacuation operation that will
help train expeditionary forces to respond to humanitarian disasters;
Ex LION MISTRAL will culminate in two disembarkation operations on a
Gaspé beach on June 20-21 marking the end of the amphibious exercise.
In response to a request by the town of Gaspé, the members of the 1
R22eR will also be offering a static display of their vehicles and
equipment on June 21. The Canadian Army’s participation will include ten Light Armoured
Vehicles, one combat command post vehicle, and several logistics
vehicles, to include an ambulance, a recovery vehicle, and a heavy
transport vehicle. These Are currently on the pier outside HMCS Scotian. Also participating are 15 members of the Royal Canadian Air Force,
with three CH-146 Griffon helicopters from the 430 Tactical Aviation
Helicopter Squadron based at Valcartier Garrison
Ex LION MISTRAL is the first joint amphibious exercise between the
Canadian Army and the French Navy.