ALINDIEN
Encyclopedia
ALINDIEN is a French naval
acronym designing the admiral in charge of the maritime zone of the Indian Ocean
, and of the French forces there. The office has been held by Contre-amiral Jacques Launay since 31 December 2006. Contre-amiral is equivalent to the Commonwealth navy rank of Commodore
.
, dubbed "ZMOI" (zone maritime de l'océan Indien): it comprises the area bounded on its Western part by the Red Sea and Africa, and on its Eastern part by Philippines and Viet Nam. The zone notably comprises such strategic areas as the Persian Gulf, Southern Africa, India, Australia and Singapore.
The zones of La Réunion
and of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands operate under a different hierarchy.
. As a fleet commander, he operates under ALFAN, the Admiral in charge of the Force d'action navale
for matters of management, training and preparation of the units permanently stationed in the Indian Ocean. The units are mostly stationed in La Réunion
and Djibouti
.
ALINDIEN is tasked with the operational control of the naval forces deployed in his area, unless they are detached with their own general staff. This command is exercised from a Durance class tanker
("BCR) carrying the entire general staff. Which exact ship is deployed depends on unit turnover, as the ships are relieved every four years; the Marne (A630) has served in this capacity from the summer of 2002. ALINDIEN was the only naval command of the French Navy that is permanently stationed at sea. In autumn 2010, the commanding staff moved ashore to the Abu Dhabi base
and the permanently-sea-stationed status of the command ended.
ALINDIEN also has duties in defence diplomacy with all neighbouring countries.
He supervises the French bases in Djibouti
, La Réunion
, and the Abu Dhabi base
(since 2009).
Reinforcements can be deployed under ALINDIEN's authority for punctual operations.
, ALINDIEN's office managed the Opération Promethée, that aimed at preventing any action from either Iraq or Iran against oil shipping. Minesweepers were deployed in several occasions to secure shipping lines.
In January 1986, Vice-amiral Gilbert Le Meledo carried out evacuation of the foreign citizens from Aden
. The Jules Verne was particularly involved in the operation.
During the Gulf War
, Contre-amiral Pierre Bonnot commanded a number of war actions, and was later involved in enforcing the Iraq sanctions
, as well as minesweeping in Koweiti waters.
In 1992, Contre-amiral Gérard Gazzano and Hubert Foillard supported the United Nations Operation in Somalia I. From March 1993 until March 1995, Admirals Hubert Foillard and Jean-Luc Delaunay supported UNOSOM II
. From 8 to 14 April 1994, Delaunay also supervised a second evacuation of foreign citizens from Aden
, with Jules Verne playing a prominent role again.
In 1996, Contre-amiral Alain Béreau supervised Operation Condor, a UN mission to monitor Hanish Islands
in the context of a mediation between Yemen and Erythrea.
In 1998, Contre-amiral Jean-Louis Battet supervised Operation Khor Angar, securing the shores of Djibouti during the Eritrean–Ethiopian War.
From 2001, Opération Héracles has been in force, in the context of the "War on Terror
".
In January 2005, Vice-amiral Xavier Rolin supervised Opération Beryx, a humanitarian mission to relieve populations victim of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
. The Dupleix, Georges Leygues and Jeanne d'Arc were notably involved.
French Navy
The French Navy, officially the Marine nationale and often called La Royale is the maritime arm of the French military. It includes a full range of fighting vessels, from patrol boats to a nuclear powered aircraft carrier and 10 nuclear-powered submarines, four of which are capable of launching...
acronym designing the admiral in charge of the maritime zone of the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, and of the French forces there. The office has been held by Contre-amiral Jacques Launay since 31 December 2006. Contre-amiral is equivalent to the Commonwealth navy rank of Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
.
Zone of authority
ALINDIEN's jurisdiction extends over the maritime zone of the Indian OceanIndian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, dubbed "ZMOI" (zone maritime de l'océan Indien): it comprises the area bounded on its Western part by the Red Sea and Africa, and on its Eastern part by Philippines and Viet Nam. The zone notably comprises such strategic areas as the Persian Gulf, Southern Africa, India, Australia and Singapore.
The zones of La Réunion
La Reunion
La Reunion may refer to:* La Reunion , a communal settlement near present-day Dallas, Texas*La Réunion, Lot-et-Garonne, a town in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France*Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar...
and of the French Southern and Antarctic Lands operate under a different hierarchy.
Missions
In his role as a maritime zone commander, ALINDIEN operates directly under the Chief of the Defence StaffChief of the Defence Staff (France)
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the chief of staff of the Military of France. The position is currently held by Admiral Édouard Guillaud.- Functions :The Chief of the Defence Staff has two roles:...
. As a fleet commander, he operates under ALFAN, the Admiral in charge of the Force d'action navale
Force d'Action Navale
The Force d'action navale is the 12,000-man and about 100-ship strong backbone of the French Navy. As of 2006, it is commanded by Vice-Amiral d’Escadre Philippe Sautter.The ships are divided into seven categories:...
for matters of management, training and preparation of the units permanently stationed in the Indian Ocean. The units are mostly stationed in La Réunion
La Reunion
La Reunion may refer to:* La Reunion , a communal settlement near present-day Dallas, Texas*La Réunion, Lot-et-Garonne, a town in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France*Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar...
and Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
.
ALINDIEN is tasked with the operational control of the naval forces deployed in his area, unless they are detached with their own general staff. This command is exercised from a Durance class tanker
Durance class tanker
The Durance class is a series of multi-product replenishment oilers, originally designed and built for service in the French Navy. Besides the five ships built for the French Navy, a sixth was built for the Royal Australian Navy, while the lead ship of the class currently serves with the Argentine...
("BCR) carrying the entire general staff. Which exact ship is deployed depends on unit turnover, as the ships are relieved every four years; the Marne (A630) has served in this capacity from the summer of 2002. ALINDIEN was the only naval command of the French Navy that is permanently stationed at sea. In autumn 2010, the commanding staff moved ashore to the Abu Dhabi base
Abu Dhabi base
Abu Dhabi Base, also called Camp de la Paix and known and referred to by the French military as Implantation militaire française aux Émirats arabes unis or simply IMFEAU, is a French Naval Air Station based in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, since 2009.- History :Defence arrangements were...
and the permanently-sea-stationed status of the command ended.
ALINDIEN also has duties in defence diplomacy with all neighbouring countries.
He supervises the French bases in Djibouti
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
, La Réunion
La Reunion
La Reunion may refer to:* La Reunion , a communal settlement near present-day Dallas, Texas*La Réunion, Lot-et-Garonne, a town in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France*Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar...
, and the Abu Dhabi base
Abu Dhabi base
Abu Dhabi Base, also called Camp de la Paix and known and referred to by the French military as Implantation militaire française aux Émirats arabes unis or simply IMFEAU, is a French Naval Air Station based in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, since 2009.- History :Defence arrangements were...
(since 2009).
Deployment
The following units are permanently under ALINDIEN command:- Marne (A630), Durance class tankerDurance class tankerThe Durance class is a series of multi-product replenishment oilers, originally designed and built for service in the French Navy. Besides the five ships built for the French Navy, a sixth was built for the Royal Australian Navy, while the lead ship of the class currently serves with the Argentine...
- Nivôse (F732), Floréal class frigateFloréal class frigateThe Floréal class is a type of light "surveillance frigates" designed for the needs of the French Navy after the end of the Cold War, ordered in 1989. They use construction standards of commercial ships...
based in La RéunionLa ReunionLa Reunion may refer to:* La Reunion , a communal settlement near present-day Dallas, Texas*La Réunion, Lot-et-Garonne, a town in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France*Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar... - Floréal (F730), Floréal class frigateFloréal class frigateThe Floréal class is a type of light "surveillance frigates" designed for the needs of the French Navy after the end of the Cold War, ordered in 1989. They use construction standards of commercial ships...
based in La RéunionLa ReunionLa Reunion may refer to:* La Reunion , a communal settlement near present-day Dallas, Texas*La Réunion, Lot-et-Garonne, a town in the Lot-et-Garonne department of France*Réunion, an island in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar... - Commando Arta, a 60-man commando based in DjiboutiDjiboutiDjibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
- One Atlantique 2 naval patrol plane, based in Djibouti
Reinforcements can be deployed under ALINDIEN's authority for punctual operations.
History
During the Iran-Iraq warIran-Iraq War
The Iran–Iraq War was an armed conflict between the armed forces of Iraq and Iran, lasting from September 1980 to August 1988, making it the longest conventional war of the twentieth century...
, ALINDIEN's office managed the Opération Promethée, that aimed at preventing any action from either Iraq or Iran against oil shipping. Minesweepers were deployed in several occasions to secure shipping lines.
In January 1986, Vice-amiral Gilbert Le Meledo carried out evacuation of the foreign citizens from Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
. The Jules Verne was particularly involved in the operation.
During the Gulf War
Gulf War
The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...
, Contre-amiral Pierre Bonnot commanded a number of war actions, and was later involved in enforcing the Iraq sanctions
Iraq sanctions
The Iraq sanctions were a near-total financial and trade embargo imposed by the United Nations Security Council on the nation of Iraq. They began August 6, 1990, four days after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, stayed largely in force until May 2003 , and certain portions including reparations to Kuwait...
, as well as minesweeping in Koweiti waters.
In 1992, Contre-amiral Gérard Gazzano and Hubert Foillard supported the United Nations Operation in Somalia I. From March 1993 until March 1995, Admirals Hubert Foillard and Jean-Luc Delaunay supported UNOSOM II
UNOSOM II
United Nations Operation in Somalia II was the second phase of the United Nations intervention in Somalia, from March 1993 until March 1995....
. From 8 to 14 April 1994, Delaunay also supervised a second evacuation of foreign citizens from Aden
Aden
Aden is a seaport city in Yemen, located by the eastern approach to the Red Sea , some 170 kilometres east of Bab-el-Mandeb. Its population is approximately 800,000. Aden's ancient, natural harbour lies in the crater of an extinct volcano which now forms a peninsula, joined to the mainland by a...
, with Jules Verne playing a prominent role again.
In 1996, Contre-amiral Alain Béreau supervised Operation Condor, a UN mission to monitor Hanish Islands
Hanish Islands
The Hanish Islands are an island group in the Red Sea. Most of them are a part of Yemen, but before 1998–1999 they were claimed by Eritrea as well. After a long trial with an international court under the guidance of Dr...
in the context of a mediation between Yemen and Erythrea.
In 1998, Contre-amiral Jean-Louis Battet supervised Operation Khor Angar, securing the shores of Djibouti during the Eritrean–Ethiopian War.
From 2001, Opération Héracles has been in force, in the context of the "War on Terror
War on Terror
The War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
".
In January 2005, Vice-amiral Xavier Rolin supervised Opération Beryx, a humanitarian mission to relieve populations victim of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
2004 Indian Ocean earthquake
The 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake was an undersea megathrust earthquake that occurred at 00:58:53 UTC on Sunday, December 26, 2004, with an epicentre off the west coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. The quake itself is known by the scientific community as the Sumatra-Andaman earthquake...
. The Dupleix, Georges Leygues and Jeanne d'Arc were notably involved.