The French Navy (Marine Nationale) FREMM frigate Aquitaine won the U.S. Navy’s “Hook’em” award. This marks the fifth time that the U.S. 6th Fleet awards the price to a French unit for its ability to find and track submarines (and the fourth time to a FREMM frigate)
The “Hook’em Award” rewards Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) excellence. It is presented quarterly to a unit supporting U.S. Navy’s 6th Fleet (also known as US Naval Forces Europe) which has demonstrated superior ASW readiness, proficiency, and operational impact.
Vice Adm. Frederick C. Turner established the “Hook ‘Em” award in December 1975 to recognize 6th Fleet’s ships, submarines, and aircraft squadrons demonstrating ASW excellence. The award was discontinued two decades later, but it was reestablished by Adm. James G. Foggo III in 2016 during his tenure as Commander, US 6th Fleet.
The crew of the multi-mission frigate (FREMM) Aquitaine receives the “Hook ‘Em award”, the excellence prize of the 6th American fleet in anti-submarine warfare !
This award of excellence was presented in Naples by Commodore Doug Sattler (CTF 69) to the commander of crew B of the FREMM Aquitaine, for the performance of his unit during anti-submarine operations in the North Atlantic during the year 2025.
Usually awarded to American units, this quarterly prize created in 1975 is once again given to a French unit. It thus marks the recognition of French know-how and the high degree of confidence accorded by our American partners, in a particularly strategic area for the security of allied operations in the Atlantic.
The ultra-performing sensors and information processing, analysis and intervention capabilities of the FREMMs and their embarked Caïman Marine helicopter make them formidable submarine hunters.
Trained and skilled, the crews of the Navy have acquired expertise to deploy them in operations. They are now recognized as among the best in the world.
Fourth time a French FREMM frigate wins the award
Back in 1991, the 21F flotilla, stationed at Nîmes-Garons naval air base and flying Atlantique Maritime Patrol Aircraft won the award.
In 2020, French CTF 470 and 473 and French frigates FS Bretagne (D-655) and FS Auvergne (D-654) earned the recognition.
In 2021, Admiral Eugene Black, then Commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet based in Naples, rewarded three French units including two FREMM frigates: CTF 473, FS Provence and FS Languedoc.
In 2022, Vice Admiral Wing Ishee (C6F) presented the award to Vice Admiral Boidevezi, Commander Task Force 470 (CTF 470) and FREMM frigates Auvergne , Bretagne , Languedoc and Provence, for their deployments in the Mediterranean in coordination with the United States Navy.
Naval News understands the American choice to procure the Thales CAPTAS-4 variable depth sonar system (fitted aboard all French FREMM frigates) for the (now cancelled) Constellation-class frigate program was directly related to feedback from U.S. Navy Europe on the performances of this sonar.
