France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle left its home port of Toulon on Tuesday for a three-week exercise in the eastern Mediterranean, the French Defense Ministry said. The Defense Ministry said the maneuver was planned a long time ago and is not related to the "international situation," a reference to tensions over Iraq and threats of war by the United States and Britain.
The 43,000-ton warship, which carries 40 aircraft, is scheduled to return to Toulon at the end of the training exercise on Feb. 25. French officials said the operation will include a joint exercise with the USS Harry Truman, which left port in December for deployment in the Mediterranean Sea and the Persian Gulf.
OK, what's the over/under on how long before she breaks down again? |