 The crews of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and French Navy Task Force 473 finished five weeks of combined carrier strike group operations in the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area Sunday. Five U.S. and four French Navy ships participated in the exercise in the Arabian Sea and Arabian Gulf. The two navies teamed up for live fire, visit board search and seizure procedures, and air defense training. They worked together in air defense, training in both fighter jet and helicopter platforms, a war at sea exercise, and operational and training scenarios. The U.S. Navy and French aircraft launched and recovered on each other's aircraft carrier flight decks. Sailors visited their French counterparts to share experiences and learn from each other. Exercises like this one improve the relationships between allies and help stabilize the region's links to the global economy. From the Defense Media Activity, I'm Petty Officer Stuart Phillips.