French Delegation

by Public Affairs Office

13 February 2024
SAN DIEGO (Feb 06, 2024) - Rear Adm. Geoffroy d’Andigne, French joint commander of the Asia-Pacific zone and the armed forces in French Polynesia, Cmdr. Pierre- Louis Deschamps, Joint Staff Armed Forces in French Polynesia and Capt. Jean-Olivier Grall, Naval Attachè to the United States, toured the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG59), Feb. 05.
 
Commencing with a salute from the Russell’s commanding officer, Cmdr. McInerney, the tour continued throughout the 154-meter warship from the helm of the pilot house to the captain’s chair in combat information center (CIC).
 
USS Russell is a multi-mission Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) and Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) destroyer with a crew of over 300 warfighters. The Red Dragons operate and specialize in the tactical and technical aspects of multiple warfare areas through frequent training evolutions underway.
 
This tour continues a long-term partnership and ally between the French and U.S. naval forces spanning two centuries of bolstering safety of the sea lanes through ensuring freedom of navigation. This mission is appropriately echoed in the Russell’s motto, "Strength in Freedom."