ARABIAN GULF — Strike aircraft from nuclear powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) flew their first missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), the fight to destroy the ISIL terrorist organization, Dec. 29.
Truman and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 join French nuclear powered aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91) in conducting combined combat operations in Iraq and Syria from the Arabian Gulf.
Rear Adm. Bret Batchelder, commander, Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 8, said the abilities his forces bring to the fight are a vital part of the DIME equation — diplomatic, informational, military and economic.
"Warfighting is the priority; that's why we are here," Batchelder said. "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."
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting OIR, strike operations in Iraq and Syria, maritime security operations, and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.
