This deployment is a new realization of the strategic partnership between
France and Denmark. While relying on the Danish excellence for operations
in the Arctic, the primary purpose of this deployment for the French
Navy was to acquire knowledge on the environment of the area, by correlating
the crew observations with satellite observations (concentration of
icebergs, assessment of maritime traffic in this area).
This deployment has also enabled to recognize the immense and unusual
area for crews usually based in Brittany and specialized in search and
rescue missions. Thus, together with the Danish Challenger crew - also
specialized in search and rescue at sea - and a Royal Danish Navy vessel,
HDMS Tulugaq, a SAR exercise was conducted: It consisted in looking
for a man overboard in the southern region of Greenland, in the fjords
near Narssarssuaq. It was a very good training for the French crew since
the next day Joint Arctic Command instructed the French Navy crew to
assist in a real SAR mission: A Canadian fisherman fell into the inhospitable
waters of the West Greenland. He was eventually found and rescued safely.
Finally, the Falcon 50M landed for the first time on the the United
States Air Force's northernmost base in Thule in the north of Greenland,
to refuel before returning to Kangerlussuaq. |
French Navy Falcon 50M and Royal Danish Air Force Bombardier Challenger
CL-604 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft at Kangerlussuaq in western Greenland.
French Navy Picture.
French Navy Falcon 50M Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Patrolling the Arctic.
French Navy Picture.
