A608 Var
Var was a Durance-class command and replenishment tanker (French: Bâtiment de commandement et de ravitaillement, BCR) of the French Navy. In addition to its primary duty as a fleet tanker, Var was configured as a flagship and served as such in the Indian Ocean. The ship was laid down on 8 May 1979 by Brest Arsenal at their yard in Brest, France. She was launched on 1 June 1981, commissioned on 29 January 1983 and assigned to the Force d'action navale (FAN, "Naval Action Force"). Var took part in several multi-national operations. The tanker was decommissioned on 1 July 2021.
The third tanker of the Durance class was laid down on 8 May 1979 by Brest Arsenal at their yard in Brest, France. She was launched on 1 June 1981 and given the pennant number A 608. Var was commissioned into the French Navy on 29 January 1983. The Durance-class ships were assigned to the Force d'action navale (FAR, "Naval Action Force") after entering service. One of the BCRs is assigned to Indian Ocean as flagship of the French naval forces in the region. Her homeport is in Toulon. In addition to its mission of logistical support for other ships, Var like its sister ships Marne and Somme was able to carry additional command staff of 45 people.
Var was tasked with providing support for the French aircraft carrier Foch during Operation Trident airstrikes against Yugoslavia in 1999 . As the ship assigned to the Indian Ocean during the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, Var was one of the first French vessels to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom beginning on 3 October. In 2005, Var was sent to provide humanitarian relief following an earthquake in Pakistan. From 3 August 2006 to July 2009, the ship was the flagship of ALINDIEN (L'amiral, commandant la Zone Maritime Océan Indien).
In 2009, with the retirement of the ship dedicated to naval mine supply for the French Navy, Var became central to the Groupes Guerre des Mines (Mine Warfare Group). Var took part in mine warfare exercises with NATO in 2010 and in 2011, deployed with the Groupes Guerre des Mines for three months in the Persian Gulf. In November 2013, the ship was engaged in Operation Active Endeavour in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In April 2015, the ship took command of the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) in Operation Enduring Freedom. In April 2018, Var participated in Operation Hamilton in Syria.
In June 2021, the ship returned to Toulon following a final deployment to the Indian Ocean and was withdrawn from service on 1 July.
A608 Var
Var was a Durance-class command and replenishment tanker (French: Bâtiment de commandement et de ravitaillement, BCR) of the French Navy. In addition to its primary duty as a fleet tanker, Var was configured as a flagship and served as such in the Indian Ocean. The ship was laid down on 8 May 1979 by Brest Arsenal at their yard in Brest, France. She was launched on 1 June 1981, commissioned on 29 January 1983 and assigned to the Force d'action navale (FAN, "Naval Action Force"). Var took part in several multi-national operations. The tanker was decommissioned on 1 July 2021.
The third tanker of the Durance class was laid down on 8 May 1979 by Brest Arsenal at their yard in Brest, France. She was launched on 1 June 1981 and given the pennant number A 608. Var was commissioned into the French Navy on 29 January 1983. The Durance-class ships were assigned to the Force d'action navale (FAR, "Naval Action Force") after entering service. One of the BCRs is assigned to Indian Ocean as flagship of the French naval forces in the region. Her homeport is in Toulon. In addition to its mission of logistical support for other ships, Var like its sister ships Marne and Somme was able to carry additional command staff of 45 people.
Var was tasked with providing support for the French aircraft carrier Foch during Operation Trident airstrikes against Yugoslavia in 1999 . As the ship assigned to the Indian Ocean during the 11 September 2001 attacks on the United States, Var was one of the first French vessels to take part in Operation Enduring Freedom beginning on 3 October. In 2005, Var was sent to provide humanitarian relief following an earthquake in Pakistan. From 3 August 2006 to July 2009, the ship was the flagship of ALINDIEN (L'amiral, commandant la Zone Maritime Océan Indien).
In 2009, with the retirement of the ship dedicated to naval mine supply for the French Navy, Var became central to the Groupes Guerre des Mines (Mine Warfare Group). Var took part in mine warfare exercises with NATO in 2010 and in 2011, deployed with the Groupes Guerre des Mines for three months in the Persian Gulf. In November 2013, the ship was engaged in Operation Active Endeavour in the Eastern Mediterranean.
In April 2015, the ship took command of the Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) in Operation Enduring Freedom. In April 2018, Var participated in Operation Hamilton in Syria.
In June 2021, the ship returned to Toulon following a final deployment to the Indian Ocean and was withdrawn from service on 1 July.