George H.W. Bush CSG launching ISIS strikes

U.S. Navy’s George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has again started launching missions against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) from the Arabian Gulf, the U.S. Navy said.

The carrier strike group deployed from Norfolk and Mayport, Florida entering the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations on January 29. The group started first strikes on February 13.

Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell, commander, CSG 2, said the missions are part of the operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) and have a central role in accelerating the fight against ISIS.

“The superb efforts made by the men and women of this strike group will be critical to continuing this fight,” said Whitesell. “The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group brings a flexible, mobile and lethal multi-mission strike force to work with our allies and partner nations to engage ISIS and the threat they pose to the region and the greater international community.”

The carrier strike group is composed of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103), and Mayport-based guided missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66).