French navy amphibious assault ship LHD Dixmude departs Naval Station Norfolk for Fleet Exercise 250, on June 22, 2026. (Ethan Carter/U.S. Navy)
ABOARD LHD DIXMUDE — Nearly 250 years after French Admiral François Joseph Paul de Grasse helped secure America’s victory at Yorktown, French and American troops are once again operating side by side along the Atlantic coast.
“We celebrate that relationship today, 250 years later, because that’s been key to our growth as a maritime nation,” said Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet.
Naval Station Norfolk, Va., is hosting Fleet Exercise 250, a multinational naval exercise that allows allied and partner nations to train and work together through operations, communication and exercises at sea, according to the U.S. Navy.
Amphibious assault ship LHD Dixmude is France’s only vessel among 30 warships from 20 allied nations. It is also the ship’s first time sailing into Norfolk waters.
“We are building the next generation based on our heritage, and our heritage is part of this history here,” said French Navy Capt. Jocelyn Delrieu, Dixmude’s commanding officer.
Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet (left), speaks with French Navy Capt. Jocelyn Delrieu, commanding officer of amphibious assault ship LHD Dixmude during an embark trip on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
French Navy Capt. Jocelyn Delrieu, commanding officer of amphibious assault ship LHD Dixmude (left) and Vice Adm. Doug Perry, commander of U.S. 2nd Fleet, salute the French’s military color guard aboard amphibious assault ship LHD Dixmude on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
Perry flew from Norfolk aboard a Navy Osprey on Tuesday, traveling a few hundred miles before embarking Dixmude, where he met with Delrieu to discuss ongoing amphibious exercises and the importance of working together as allies.
“Interoperability today delivers combat effectiveness in the future. Whether that’s two months from now or 10 years from now,” Perry said.
Dixmude, with a crew of about 600, worked closely with the U.S. Navy’s amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge, conducting amphibious training that included troop movements between ship and shore and coordinating aircraft landings. They also conducted mass casualty exercises together.
French Marines also trained alongside the U.S. Marines and other allies at Onslow Beach, N.C., near Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Following the training, the French Marines returned to the ship on Tuesday.
A French amphibious connector makes its way into the well deck of amphibious assault ship LHD Dixmude on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (Kaylyn Barnhart Batista/Stars and Stripes)
“This is a part of our commitment,” Delrieu said, adding that training together provides his crew with valuable experience and improves their readiness.
The massive naval exercise is expected to conclude on June 29 and comes ahead of the International Naval Review in the Port of New York and New Jersey from July 3-8.
Navy Capt. Marc Hines, director of operations for U.S. 2nd Fleet, said this is the first exercise of this scale since the 1970s, involving just under 10,000 troops. Perry added that he can see exercises of this magnitude being held every three to five years.
