The U.S. Navy has deployed its strike group from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea in a move to help counter the Islamic State organization, the U.S. European Command said Friday.
The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group comprises the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman, Carrier Air Wing 7, Carrier Strike Group 8, guided missile cruiser USS Anzio, Destroyer Squadron 28 and guided missile destroyers USS Bulkeley, USS Gonzalez and USS Gravely.
The strike group passed the Suez Canal on Thursday and launched multiple combat sorties on Friday to destroy the resources of the Islamic State organization in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over Syria and Iraq.
“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.
The combat sorties are meant to provide strike, ballistic missile defense, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance support to the EUCOM and the U.S. 6th Fleet.
