As part of the French-Lebanese bilateral cooperation and in the same time the training of student officers of the Groupe Jeanne d’Arc 2012, an amphibious exercise called Blue Cedar was held on 13 and 17 March in Jounieh, north of Beyrouth. Set by the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF), blue Cedar has seen the implementation of joint assets. The LAF participated with a sub-arms task force (SGTIA) with M113 APCs, two landing craft infantry and tanks (EDIC), two Gazelle helicopters and three helicopters Bell UH1. French forces have been engaged from the PBC Dixmude with VAB APCs, an amphibious landing craft fast (EDAR), two barges transporting material (CTM) and two Gazelle helicopters.
A Wonderful photo report made by the ECPAD is available on their website, here are some of these photos:
The newly delivered French Marine Nationale BPC Dixmude on it's first mission overseas in front of Lebanese shores.The Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft and a pair of French ALAT SA-342L1 Viviane.The Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft.The Lebanese Air Force L1009 UH-1H of the 10th Squadron.A Lebanese Navy Willard Marine Sea Force 11m Standard Navy Rigid Inflatable Boat (SN RIB/RHIB).A French ALAT SA.330Ba Puma.The French Marine Nationale CTM 27 and EDAR L9093. The EDAR (Engin de Débarquement Amphibie Rapide) is set to replace the CTM (Chaland de Transport de Matériel).
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The Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft carrying French Army vehicles, among them an AMX-10RC Revalorisé, a VAB ERYX, a VAB Génie, a GBC 180 LOT 7 and a VBL.The French Army AMX-10RC Revalorié disembarking from the Lebanese Navy 'Damour' EDIC-III landing craft.Lebanese Army M113A2 APCs of the First Armored Regiment disembarking from the Lebanese Navy 'Sour' EDIC-III landing craft.Lebanese Army M60A3 tanks and M113A2 APCs of the First Armored Regiment.
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