Strike aircraft from the USS Harry S. Truman flew their first missions from the Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on December 29th.
The Truman CSG is currently deployed in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations in support of OIR, strike operations in Iraq and Syria, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.
The carrier and Carrier Air Wing 7 join French nuclear powered aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91) in combined combat operations in Iraq and Syria from the Arabian Gulf.
“Warfighting is the priority; that’s why we are here,” said Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8. “We provide the hard power in the collective DIME, and look forward to contributing however we can. Dual carrier operations with the French allow us to maximize our firepower and provide a unique opportunity to further progress against ISIL. It validates our abilities to successfully operate as an international coalition while conducting very dynamic operations.”
“We complement each other in that while one carrier is able to fly sorties in country to support OIR, the other carrier can conduct maintenance and prepare for the next day,” said Capt. Fredrick Luchtman, commander, CVW 7. “The carriers can then swap, which allows us to put more sorties in country while we partner in this operation.”
