The French carrier connection

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  • The nuclear-powered aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush steams through the Chesapeake Bay on May 7, 2018, at the start of joint US and French flight operations in Norfolk, Va. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • A French pilot in the cockpit of a Rafael Marine fighter aircraft taxi’s to the Catapult 1 onboard the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush on May 10, 2018, during joint US and French carrier flight operations May 10. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • A French Navy pilot awaits the launch signal as the US deck crewman gives the OK signal to the shooters who will launch the French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft off the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush on May 11, 2018, during joint US and French carrier flight operations. The equipment in the foreground are the various bars and gear required to hook up and catapult a variety of aircraft. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • U.S. Navy and French flight deck crewmen clear out after making final checks on the catapult hook-up of a French Navy Rafale fighter seconds away from launch on catapult 2 on May 10, 2018, aboard the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • A U.S. Navy F/A-18E launches off the angle deck as a French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft awaits launch on the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush on May 15, 2018, during joint US and French carrier flight operations May 10. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • A French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft launches from catapult 2 onboard the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush on May 10, 2018, during joint US and French carrier flight operations May 10. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • A flight of three French Rafale Marine fighter aircraft pass the island of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Buch as they head into “the break” to circle and take turns landing on the ship on May 10, 2018. (Mark D. Faram/Staff).
  • A U.S. Navy sailor stands watch in the ship’s “pri-fly” flight deck operations center, keeping track of which aircraft are to slated to launch on May 10, 2018, on the USS George H.W. Bush. A U.S. Navy F/A-18E (r) stands on catapult 1 as the French Navy’s E-2C Hawkeye launches from Catapult 2. Waiting to the rear, are two French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • At Sea on the USS George H. W. Bush (May 10. 2018) A French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft prepares to trap on the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush as another Rafale awaits permission to taxi to launch during joint US and French carrier flight operations May 10. (photo by Mark D. Faram/staff)
  • A French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft prepares to trap on the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush on May 10, 2018, during joint U.S. and French carrier flight operations May 10. The Bush, unlike the French aircraft carrier Charles DeGaulle can both launch and recover aircraft at the same time, giving the French experience at cyclic operations, American Style. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • At Sea on the USS George H. W. Bush (May 10. 2018) Hook down, a French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft prepares to catch the number two wire trap on the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush for a near perfect trap, during joint US and French carrier flight operations May 10. (photo by Mark D. Faram/staff)
  • Sporting the French Navy’s blue flight deck pants and full-head cranial helmet, a French Navy plane captain stands watch over “his” assigned Rafale Marine fighter on the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush fduring joint US and French carrier flight operations May 10. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • Draped in tie-down chains, U.S. Navy plane captains from Strike Fighter Squadron 31’s Tomcatters await the return of F/A-10 Hornets during joint U.S. and French carrier flight operations May 10. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • A French Navy Rafale Marine fighter aircraft is taken down a flight deck elevator for maintenance in the hanger bay of the USS George H.W. Bush. U.S. deck crews got experience handling the Rafael’s, aircraft they didn’t know before this operation May 11. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • U.S. Navy and French maintainers worked side by side in the hanger bay of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush on May 10. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • French Petty Officer 2nd Class “Alan” does maintenance checks on a French Rafale fighter aircraft in the hanger bay of the the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush on May 11. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • Capt. Sean Bailey, commanding officer of the aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush, explains flight deck operations to the Chief of the French Navy, Adm. Christophe Prazuck, on May 13, 2018. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)
  • Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson spends time meeting sailors during a break in flight operations May 13, 2018, onboard the aircraft carrier George H. W. Bush with the French Navy. (Mark D. Faram/Staff)