Croix du Sud, a French term meaning Southern Cross, is a 14-day biennial joint multinational military training exercise organized and led by the French Armed Forces in New Caledonia (FANC), focusing on Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Response (HADR) operations, crisis events and interoperability.
This year’s iteration hosted approximately 2,000 participants, 13 aircraft, five ships from 18 different countries. In addition to the U.S. military and France, the other participating countries included Australia, Brunei, Canada, Fiji, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Tonga, the United Kingdom, and Vanuatu.
“The U.S. and France are Pacific nations, and our navies routinely operate together to preserve a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific,” said Vice Adm. Fred Kacher, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “The U.S. 7th Fleet’s participation in Croix du Sud is testament to our longstanding alliance with France and our shared commitment to advancing our combined warfighting capabilities in this theater.”
U.S. 7th Fleet staff, embarked aboard Blue Ridge, commands the U.S. Navy’s largest forward-deployed fleet with the primary mission of providing operational control and planning for its forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans, while also promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with allied and partners.
During Croix du Sud, Blue Ridge operated with the French Floréal-class frigate FS Vendémiaire (F734), offshore patrol vessel FS Auguste Bénébig (P779), and one MH-60S. Together, they conducted combined surface action group operations, maritime domain awareness operations, helicopter cross-deck operations, combined command and control capabilities, and information sharing.
“Croix du Sud has strengthened over the years with the participation of so many nations,” said Cmdr. Sébastien, Chief of Command Joint Task Force. “When it comes to HADR, there is a role for everyone in this kind of operation. We have many earthquakes and cyclones in this area every year, so this exercise is extremely realistic and important for the region.”
The U.S. Navy and France’s Marine Nationale routinely build upon their longstanding defense relationship in the Indo-Pacific. In January 2025, Charles de Gaulle Strike Group conducted bilateral interoperability training during La Perouse with USS Savannah (LCS 28) in Southeast Asia and Pacific Stellar with the Vinson Carrier Strike Group in the Philippine Sea. The events were part of their Indo-Pacific deployment Clemenceau 25.
The Blue Ridge and embarked U.S. 7th Fleet staff conduct regular Indo-Pacific patrols to deter aggression, strengthen alliances and partnerships, and advance future warfighting capabilities.
