Jean-Ythier Verly, commander of the air defense frigate (FDA) Chevalier Paul

During the 24 months of command of CV Antony Branchereau, the sailors of the Chevalier Paul carried out four operational deployments. From November to December 2022, they took part in exercise SILENT WOLVERINE alongside CARRIER STRIKE GROUP 12 of the nuclear aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, then within NATO's TASK GROUP (TG) 441.01 in the Baltic Sea. From April to June 2023, they were deployed within TG 441.01 for exercise FORMIDABLE SHIELD 23 and contributed to the ASTER 30 firing by the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Bretagne.

OPERATIONAL COOPERATION

The Chevalier Paul then crossed the Arctic Circle and took part in the Spanish exercise FLOTEX. From August to October 2023, deployed under NATO operational control, the Chevalier Paul participated in the operational cooperation activity EUNOMIA as the host ship for the exercise. From April to May 2024, the ship was integrated into the French carrier strike group as part of the AKILA mission, serving as the air defense and electronic warfare commander for the force. During these two years, the FDA Chevalier Paul also carried out two ASTER 30 missile firings, participated in high-intensity operational preparation activities, completed an operational readiness training period in January and February 2024, and underwent three short-term technical maintenance periods. From July 2022 to July, the Chevalier Paul and her crew spent 209 days at sea, 266 days away from their home port, and traveled 60,821 nautical miles.

CORYMBE AND SOPHIA

Admitted to the École navale in 2000, CV Jean-Ythier Verly is a surface combatant officer specialized in weapons employment. During his first years at sea, he discovered the carrier strike group during the AGAPANTHE 06 mission, as well as Eastern Mediterranean operations under the tactical command of amphibious operations during Operation BALISTE. Upon graduating from the École des systèmes de combat et armes navals (ESCAN), he specialized in air defense. CV Verly has commanded twice at sea: the training ship Guépard in 2007, with which he participated in the maritime training of École navale students, and then the offshore patrol vessel (PHM) Commandant Ducuing in 2016, with which he was deployed in operations CORYMBE and SOPHIA. A graduate of the École de Guerre in 2017, he served at the Marine staff as program officer for the 'Frégate de Défense et d'Intervention' before joining the military cabinet of Madame Florence Parly, then Minister of the Armed Forces, in 2020. In 2022, he embarked again on the air defense frigate (FDA) Forbin as executive officer before being appointed commander of the FDA Chevalier Paul in 2024. Captain Verly is a Knight of the Légion d'Honneur and of the ordre national du mérite. He is married and has two children.