STUTTGART, Germany, June 03, 2016 — The Navy’s Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group launched combat sorties from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea today in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over Syria and Iraq, according to a news release from U.S. European Command.
The carrier strike group transited the Suez Canal yesterday and today flew multiple combat sorties in an effort to degrade the resources and leadership capability of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, the release 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 Navy Vice Adm. James Foggo III, the 6th Fleet commander.
“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.
Truman Carrier Strike Group
The strike group consists of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman; embarked Carrier Air Wing 7; Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8; the guided missile cruiser USS Anzio; Destroyer Squadron 28; and guided missile destroyers USS Bulkeley, USS Gonzalez and USS Gravely.
The Truman Carrier Strike Group brings multi-mission capable platforms to the Eucom area of responsibility and the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations with strike, ballistic missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, the release said.
“These resources further serve to support European allies and partners, deter potential threats and to conduct combat operations in support of the counter-ISIL mission,” the release continued.
After conducting operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations, which includes the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean, the strike group’s deployment was extended to support dismantling and rolling back terrorist networks from the 6th Fleet area of operations before it returns home to Norfolk.