US aircraft carrier hits ISIL from the Mediterranean

The U.S. Navy’s Carrier Strike Group attached to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman conducted combat sorties from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea June 3, in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over Syria and Iraq.

The Carrier Strike Group transited the Suez Canal June 2 and flew multiple combat sorties June 3 in an effort to degrade ISIL resources and leadership, the Navy said.

“While the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is in the 6th Fleet area of operations, they continue to project power ashore against terrorists and violent extremists,” said Vice Adm. James Foggo III, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. “This exemplifies our Navy’s mobility, flexibility and adaptability, as well as our commitment to execute a full range of military operations in concert with our indispensable European Allies and partners,” he added.

The strike group consists of USS Harry S. Truman, the embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7; Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8; USS Anzio, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 28, USS Bulkeley, USS Gonzalez, and USS Gravely.

After conducting operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations, the strike group’s deployment has been extended to support dismantling and rolling back terrorist networks from the 6th Fleet area of operations before it will return home to Norfolk.