Frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ concludes participation in Exercise ‘PEAN 19’ integrated into the French ‘Charles de Gaulle’ carrier strike group.

Between November 25 and December 6 the Spanish Navy frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ (F-103) participated in the French-organized exercise ‘PEAN 19’, in Gulf of Lion and Tyrrhenian Sea’s waters. This is the last activity of the scheduled operational deployment of the F-103, which has extended for almost 4 months, with a planned arrival at her home port in Ferrol by December 15.

‘PEAN-19’ is an integration and certification exercise of the French CDG Carrier Strike Group made up of the aircraft carrier ‘Charles De Gaulle’ and several escorts, among them the Spanish Navy frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’.

The participating units came from different allied countries, such as the United States, (destroyer ‘USS Ross’); Italy (frigate ‘Luigi Rizzo’ with her NH-90 helicopter); Spain and France that, as the host nation, provided the bulk of the naval assets (1 aircraft carrier, 2 frigates, 2 corvettes and 1 AOR). Additionally, France provided 20 ‘Rafale’ fighters and 3 NH-90 helicopters).

PEAN-19 was divided into a serial phase where different anti-air and anti-surface exercises were carried out, highlighting the anti-aircraft firing exercises and drills with helicopters on the flight deck of the carrier.

During the tactical phase, training was conducted in command and control tasks, including drills to face surface and air threats, where the opportunity was taken to exercise the control of French ‘Rafales’ in combat air patrols (CAP).

During the exercise, mutual know-how and expertise were enhanced between the French National Navy and the Spanish Navy, including an exchange of liaison officers. Additionally, and in order to implement French procedures for the use of aircraft, French air traffic controller embarked on board the Spanish frigate.

Rear Admiral Aussedat (COMFRMARFOR and CTF473) made a courtesy visit to the frigate to greet the crew and learn of the operational capabilities of the ship.

PEAN-19 lasted 12 days, and in that period the operational activity was intense, conducting replenishments at sea (RAS) with the French ship ‘Var’, air traffic control drills with fighters and many flight operations with helicopters like the ‘Dauphin’ and the Italian NH90.

On the other hand, frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ performed as escort of the aircraft carrier for more than 130 hours, 24 of them as a close escort, being able to observe the flight cycles on this ship’s deck where, at times, an average of 12 aircraft took off in less than 15 minutes. Finally, it is worth noting the active role of the F-103 during the exercise where she operated as command ship of the anti-air element of the whole combat group.

On December 6 exercise ‘PEAN 19’ concluded and the ‘Blas de Lezo’ made a stopover in Toulon for logistic purposes before starting her transit back to Ferrol, also calling in the ports of Tarragona and Rota.