US Navy (USN) aircraft operating from a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in the Persian Gulf conducted their initial missions against the Islamic State, officials announced on 29 December.
Strike aircraft from Carrier Air Wing 7, embarked on USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75), joined their counterparts operating from France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier FSCharles de Gaulle (R 91) in combined combat operations in Iraq and Syria.
Charles de Galle is serving as the flagship for Combined Task Force (CTF) 50 and is leading carrier-based naval strike operations for Operation 'Inherent Resolve' - the fight against Islamic State fighters.
Harry S Truman transited the Gulf of Oman on 25 December to join the CTF in the Gulf. It deployed from its home port of Norfolk, Virginia, on 16 November.
Its strike group consists of Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio (CG 68) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), USSGonzalez (DDG 66), USS Ramage (DDG 61), and USS Gravely (DDG 107).
