The PHA Dixmude reinforced maritime security in the Golfe de Guinée
Upon its return from deployment, the Marine nationale assessed the PHA Dixmude's mission in the Golfe de Guinée. For 40 days, the...
The 475 soldiers of the amphibious group consisting of the helicopter carrier (PHA) Dixmude and the tactical subgroup (S-GTE) Korrigan successfully completed their mission, conducted as part of operation CORYMBE. Deployed in the Golfe de Guinée, the amphibious group conducted several maritime operations, reinforcing cooperation and security in this strategic region. A THREE-PART MISSION This mission was divided into 3 parts.
First, a training phase through the SIREN course, followed by the 7th edition of the major cooperation exercise Grand African Nemo. The third phase focused on the group's amphibious capabilities and resulted in three cooperation exercises with the partner nations' armed forces. It demonstrated the ability of French units to carry out joint force projections and share their respective expertise through joint training for regional stability.
In practice, the SIREN course is a comprehensive and diverse training program. This mission was distinguished by the success of the shipboard and digital regional instruction course, which enabled 32 participants from 17 different countries to acquire essential skills in maritime security. For 40 days, the PHA Dixmude hosted this high-level training, focused on maritime security in the Golfe de Guinée.
32 trainees attended 95 hours of theoretical and practical training on crucial topics such as the fight against illegal fishing, sea robbery, piracy, drug trafficking, and maritime pollution. Practical exercises at sea allowed participants to apply their knowledge to realistic scenarios, including simulations of counter-drug trafficking and maritime search and rescue. The course concluded at the end of October in Pointe-Noire, where the trainees received their diplomas, marking the end of a successful training program that strengthens the capabilities of coastal navies and the architecture de Yaoundé.
REGIONAL EXERCISE Gano24 This involves enhanced cooperation between 16 coastal nations and 9 partners.
Thus, from November 4 to 11, the Dixmude took part in exercise GRAND AFRICAN NEMO 2024 (GANO24), a major maritime security exercise co-organized by the architecture de Yaoundé and the Marine nationale. This exercise brought together 16 coastal nations of the Golfe de Guinée, 9 partner nations, 55 afloat units, 12 aircraft, and more than 4,000 participants from various administrations. GANO24 helped reinforce operational cooperation and interoperability among participating countries in the fight against maritime threats.
Furthermore, French sailors took part in joint training and operations at sea. Thus, French forces aboard the Dixmude participated in several cooperation exercises, notably with the Ivorian, Gabonese, Cameroonian, Beninese, and Nigerian navies. The PHA participated in joint training with the Gabonese navy, which successfully executed operational scenarios fighting illegal fishing, as well as countering drug and weapons trafficking, this time involving the Cameroonian patrol vessel Le Ntem.
The operational nature of GANO 24 was made tangible by a real rescue mission, conducted by the Dixmude which responded to a distress call on November 6, providing assistance to the tug Glory, experiencing engine failure, before participating in the towing in cooperation with the Cameroonian navy. Strengthening local capacities and bilateral cooperation, particularly in the amphibious field.
BILATERAL EXERCISE Finally, from October 20 to 22, in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, the SOGODJEGE exercise took place, a bilateral exercise between the Ivorian army and members of the GTE (Groupe tactique embarqué) embarked aboard the PHA Dixmude. Deployed on the Vridi peninsula, the marines of the 3ème RIMa, supported by the fusiliers marins, the 4ème RHFS, and the 34F and 36F flotillas, conducted a 48-hour raid over 150 km² in a lagoon environment. This first amphibious training of the deployment enabled French and Ivorian forces to strengthen their cooperation and share their expertise in a demanding environment.
The ZANGBETO amphibious exercise with the S-GTE and Beninese forces marked the beginning of GANO 24, followed by participation in the CROCODILE LIFT amphibious exercise with Nigerian forces in late November.
This final exercise simulated a hostage rescue operation and action against maritime terrorism and piracy. Bilateral cooperation actions were also illustrated during the port call in Kribi, Cameroun, where the Dixmude delivered an ophthalmological unit to the hospital of the Ordre de la Croix de Malte in Njombé, thus enhancing access to healthcare in this region. This port call also served to deepen relations with local authorities and the Cameroonian military.
This CORYMBE mission was also marked by the commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the battle of Dixmude.
This CORYMBE mission was also marked by the commemoration of the 110th anniversary of the battle of Dixmude, a major feat of arms for the brigade des fusiliers marins under the command of Amiral Ronarc'h in October and November 1914. At the end of this mission, the PHA Dixmude helped strengthen the maritime security capabilities of the coastal countries of the Golfe de Guinée, while consolidating international cooperation.
These actions fall within the dynamic of the architecture de Yaoundé, strengthening the stability and security of this strategic region.