Thibault de Possesse, head of the Force aéromaritime de réaction rapide

Since 2006, France has had a joint and multinational tactical staff with an embarked vocation. Its mission is to ensure the command of a maritime component. 'Being at the head of the men and women who make up the staffs whose vocation is to command the French fleets at sea in general, and the carrier strike group in particular, is a great honor.

With respect to our country, it is a great responsibility to be entrusted with such an instrument of power, the fruit of the ambition, will, ingenuity, and effort of an entire nation. It is one of the embodiments of our country's greatness, of which everyone can legitimately be proud,' stated Rear Admiral de Possesse.

POLARIS AND CLEMENCEAU 25 Within NATO, STRIKEFOR (for Strike Force) or MARFOR (for Maritime Force) staffs command Task Forces that include one or more carrier strike groups (Carrier Strike Groups – CSG), amphibious forces (Expeditionary Strike Groups – ESG), and cruise missile capabilities deployed by frigates, aircraft, or submarines. As a French specificity, FRSTRIKEFOR is also capable of commanding a mine warfare component.

Last year, the FRSTRIKEFOR staff conducted two major activities: the POLARIS 25 exercise and the CLEMENCEAU 25 mission. These operations strengthened combat readiness, demonstrated France's commitment to freedom of navigation, and consolidated ties with our allies, thus affirming France's capacity and determination to ensure maritime security in a complex strategic environment.

Né à Saint-Malo en 1973, le contreamiral de Possesse a rejoint l'École Navale en 1995. Il a commandé plusieurs unités de la Force d’action Navale (FAN), dont le patrouilleur La Capricieuse en Guyane, le patrouilleur de haute-mer (PHM) Commandant Birot et la frégate de défense aérienne (FDA) Chevalier Paul. Il a participé à la plupart des missions opérationnelles de la Marine nationale, notamment en Libye, au large du Liban et en océan Indien. Avant de rejoindre FRSTRIKERFOR, il a été conseiller mer au cabinet militaire du Premier ministre sous Jean Castex et Élisabeth Borne puis a dirigé le Centre des Hautes Études Militaires (CHEM) qui forme les futurs officiers généraux des armées. À la tête de la force aéromaritime de réaction rapide, il sera secondé dans ses nouvelles fonctions par le capitaine de vaisseau Mackara Ouk.

Now, the FRSTRIKEFOR staff and its new head have begun three weeks of Battle Staff Training dedicated to the planning and conduct of a realistic, high-intensity aeromaritime operation in a joint and allied environment.

AN IMPRESSIVE CV Born in Saint-Malo in 1973, Rear Admiral de Possesse joined the École Navale in 1995. He commanded several units of the Force d'action Navale (FAN), including the patrol boat La Capricieuse in Guyane, the offshore patrol vessel (PHM) Commandant Birot, and the air defense frigate (FDA) Chevalier Paul.

He has participated in most of the operational missions of the Marine nationale, notably in Libye, off Liban, and in the océan Indien. Before joining FRSTRIKEFOR, he served as maritime advisor to the military cabinet of the Prime Minister under Jean Castex and Élisabeth Borne, and then headed the Centre des Hautes Études Militaires (CHEM), which trains future general officers of the armed forces.

At the head of the Force aéromaritime de réaction rapide, he will be assisted in his new duties by capitaine de vaisseau Mackara Ouk.