After a two-month gap, the U.S. Navy is again launching carrier-based strikes against Islamic State targets in Syria from the Mediterranean, the service announced on Monday.
Strike fighters from USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) launched Monday against targets in Syria as part of the ongoing Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR).
“By defeating violent extremists in Iraq and Syria, we are simultaneously supporting two separate geographic combatant commands. We remain committed to defeating [ISIS], committed to our allies and partners, and committed to global security,” Vice Adm. Christopher W. Grady, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, said in a Navy statement.
The U.S. last launched carrier-based fighters on Dec. 12 from the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Bush Strike Group entered the Mediterranean on Feb. 2, 2017 and spent a few days at the U.S. naval base at Souda Bay, Greece before moving to launch sorties.
The 6,000 member CSG is embarked on Bush, guided missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG-58), USS Truxtun (DDG-103), guided missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) and USS Hue City (CG-66).
The strike group deployed with Carrier Air Wing 8, which includes Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 “Fighting Black Lions”; VFA-31 “Tomcatters”; VFA-87 “Golden Warriors”; VFA-37 “Ragin Bulls”; Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 “Lancers”; Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 124 “Bear Aces”; Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 “Spartans”; Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 “Tridents”; and a detachment from Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 “Rawhides”.
