Frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ joins the French ‘Charles de Gaulle’ carrier strike group in Atlantic waters.

Yesterday afternoon, the F-100 frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ set sail from the Military Arsenal of Ferrol to integrate into the French ‘Charles de Gaulle’ carrier strike group. In the next few days she is scheduled to make a brief port call at Rota Naval Base to embark an SH-60B helicopter of the 10th Aircraft Squadron, along with the personnel that make up the air unit.

Later, in Alboran Sea waters the Spanish frigate will join the ‘Charles de Gaulle’ aircraft carrier and will proceed towards the Atlantic Ocean to participate in different international allied exercises such as 'Joint Warrior 20-1' in UK waters and 'Frisian Flag 20' in Denmark. The frigate also plans to call at the ports of Brest (France) and Copenhagen (Denmark).

Once these exercises conclude, the frigate 'Blas de Lezo' will return to Ferrol by mid-April.

About the frigate ‘Blas de Lezo’ (F-103)

The ‘Blas de Lezo’ is the third of the five ‘Alvaro de Bazán’ class frigates (F-100), which form part of the 31st Escort Squadron, which also includes the auxiliary oiler and replenishment ships (AOR) ‘Patiño’ and ‘Cantabria’. She was delivered to the Spanish Navy in December 2004. The frigate is 147 meters long, 18.6 meters wide and a displacement of more than 5,800 tons.

This frigate is named after Lieutenant General Don Blas de Lezo y Olavarrieta, hero of the battle of Cartagena de Indias and one of the most illustrious naval officers in the history of Spain. She is the fifth ship in the history of the Spanish Navy to receive this name.