George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Conducts OIR Missions Against ISIS

Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Mario Coto with USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs offers the below report:

ARABIAN GULF (NNS) -- The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is currently launching missions against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) from the Arabian Gulf.

Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell, commander, CSG 2, said the missions are part of the key to 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."

Whitesell credited the strike group's readiness on the extensive training leading up to deployment.

"This is what we've been training for," said Whitesell. "We're ready to support the mission wherever and whenever we're needed. We have a crew of highly-trained, warfighting professionals ready for this mission, and I know that we, along with our allies and regional partners, will be successful."

OIR is the unwavering resolve and commitment of the U.S and partner nations in the region and around the globe to eliminate the terrorist group ISIS and the threat they pose.

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is comprised of the staff of CSG 2; USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77); the nine squadrons and staff of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8; Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff; 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).

In the above and below U.S. Navy photos by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Christopher Gaines F/A-18E Super Hornets attached to the "Golden Warriors" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87 launche from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush. 

Note: You can click on the above photos to enlarge.

Anytime, Anywhere: Aircraft Carrier George H.W. Bush Conducts Strikes From Mediterranean

The U.S. Navy News Service released the below report:

NAPLES, Italy (NNS) -- The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) commenced strike missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) from the eastern Mediterranean Sea, Feb. 13.

Carrier strike groups demonstrate the mobility, flexibility and power projection capability of the Navy's globally-deployed force -- anytime, anywhere.

The GHWBCSG operations in the eastern Mediterranean Sea in support of OIR demonstrate the capability of the U.S. Navy to conduct precision strikes on Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets from multiple theaters, highlighting the flexibility of the Navy's globally-deployed force.

Quotes:

"The precision strike operations being carried out by the Bush Carrier Strike Group in the eastern Mediterranean Sea continue to demonstrate the tremendous warfighting capability and flexibility of the U.S. Navy. By defeating violent extremists in Iraq and Syria, we are simultaneously supporting two separate geographic combatant commands. We remain committed to defeating Daesh, committed to our allies and partners, and committed to global security." - Vice Adm. Christopher W. Grady, commander, U.S. 6th Fleet

"The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group brings a credible and mobile strike force that is trained and ready to operate and fight decisively from the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The flexibility and lethality inherent to this strike group allows the theater commander to employ GHWB across a broad capabilities spectrum, from striking ISIL targets to reassuring allies and solidifying partnerships and ensuring freedom of maritime operations." - Rear Adm. Kenneth R. Whitesell, commander, Carrier Strike Group 2

Quick Facts: 

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group entered the Mediterranean Sea Feb. 2, and will continue to provide support to allies and partners, deter potential threats and conduct strikes against ISIL operators and infrastructure in support of OIR.

The GHWBCSG consists of flagship aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) with embarked staffs of CSG-2, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 8 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 and the squadrons of CVW-8; guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and USS Hue City (CG 66); and DESRON-22 guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG 58) and USS Truxtun (DDG 103).

The most recent aircraft carrier strike group to operate in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations was the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (Ike CSG). The Ike CSG conducted strikes in from the eastern Mediterranean Sea in support of OIR June 28-July 7, 2016, and Dec. 6-12, 2016, completing 1,899 sorties in support of OIR.

Operation Inherent Resolve is the unwavering resolve and deep commitment of the U.S. and partner nations in the region and around the globe to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to the region and the wider international community.

U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allied, joint and interagency partners in order to advance U.S. national interests and security and stability in Europe and Africa.

Note: In the top U.S. Navy photo an F/A-18F Super Hornet launches from the deck of the USS George H.W. Bush. The other U.S. Navy photo shows the Bush at underway at sea. 

U.S. Army Lt. General Townsend Takes Command of Operation Inherent Resolve

The Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve Released the below report:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, Aug. 21, 2016 — Army Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commanding general of XVIII Airborne Corps based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, assumed command of Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve from Army Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland, the commander of III Armored Corps based at Fort Hood, Texas, during a transfer of authority ceremony held here today, according to CJTF-OIR officials.

Army Gen. Joseph L. Votel, U.S. Central Command’s commanding general, presided over the ceremony that was attended by hundreds of U.S. and coalition soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

Pressuring ISIL

Votel expressed confidence in the team from Fort Bragg to continue pressuring the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

"We are very fortunate to be welcoming another great team in Lt. Gen. Steve Townsend and Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones," Votel said. "The XVIII Airborne Corps has very big shoes to fill, but I know they are up to the task and raring to go!”

Over the last several months, officials said, soldiers from the XVIII Airborne Corps conducted intense training to prepare for the mission.

Townsend highlighted the incredible work already accomplished in the region.

"Over the past year, CJTF-OIR, led by my good friend Lt. Gen. Sean MacFarland and his III Armored Corps, and our coalition and regional partners, have done incredible work to degrade and dismantle ISIL's oppressive and brutal regime,” Townsend said.

“Their combined efforts on the ground and in the air have accelerated” the counter-ISIL campaign, Townsend said, pushing ISIL back across the battlefield and achieving remarkable momentum towards ISIL’s ultimate defeat.

MacFarland reflected on the turning point in the campaign against ISIL as Iraqi security forces drove them out of Ramadi, Iraq, in December 2015.

“Now the enemy is in retreat on all fronts and the Iraqi security forces have demonstrated that they can conduct complex and decisive operations," MacFarland said.

Counter-ISIL Accomplishments

Some key accomplishments achieved during the III Armored Corps tour include:

-- Trained more than 13,500 members of the Iraqi security forces including over 4,000 Iraqi soldiers, 1,500 counter-terrorism service soldiers, 6,000 Peshmerga, almost 1,000 federal police and 300 border guards.

-- Increased emphasis on police training and recruiting tribal forces, adding 5,000 trained local police and over 20,000 tribal fighters enrolled.

-- Conducted about 50,000 counter-ISIL sorties in the past year, in which more than 30,000 munitions were dropped on the enemy with approximately two-thirds of those in Iraq and about one-third in Syria.

-- These strikes have enabled the liberation of more than 25,000 total square kilometers from ISIL. That's nearly half of the territory the enemy once controlled in Iraq and 20 percent of the territory they once controlled in Syria.

-- Conducted more than 200 strikes against oil and natural gas activities of the enemy, which reduced their oil revenue stream by approximately 50 percent.

-- Vigorously attacked enemy leadership, command-and-control and weapons manufacturing capability, to include more than 25 bulk cash storage sites, resulting in at least half-a-billion dollars destroyed.

Townsend shared his vision for the CJTF-OIR mission ahead.

“Let me say for all to hear -- friend and foe alike -- we will continue the attack against ISIL, and we will defeat them in Iraq and Syria on our watch," Townsend said.

The XVIII Airborne Corps most recently returned from deployment in Afghanistan in December 2014, where in Afghanistan it led the NATO operational headquarters in Kabul, the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command.

Note: In the above DoD photo by Air Force Tech. Sgt. Brigitte N. Brantly, Defense Secretary Ash Carter appears Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend.

An American Hero: Military Spokesman Describes Battle That Left Navy SEAL Dead In Iraq

Terri Moon Cronk at the DoD News offers the below report:

WASHINGTON, May 4, 2016 — The Navy SEAL killed in a battle yesterday with Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant fighters responded to an early attack on peshmerga units about 2 miles behind the forward line of troops, Army Col. Steven Warren, spokesman for Operation Inherent Resolve, said today.

Defense Department officials today identified the Navy SEAL as Petty Officer 1st Class Charles H. Keating IV, 31, of San Diego (seen in the above U.S. Navy photo).

In a teleconference briefing with Pentagon reporters from Baghdad, Warren said Keating responded to the ISIL attack on the peshmerga forces as part of a U.S. quick-reaction force in the village of Tal Asquf at about 7:30 a.m.

“ISIL forces breached the peshmerga forward lines,” he said. “At [7:50 a.m.], the Americans there became involved in the ensuing firefight and called in a quick-reaction force,” he said.

“It is a group of very well-armed, very well-equipped, very well-trained American service members whose mission is to stand by, stand at the ready, when American forces are operating,” he said.
Keating was struck by direct fire shortly after 9:30 a.m., and though he was evacuated within what Warren called the “all-important golden hour” between being wounded and receiving medical treatment, his wound was not survivable.

“Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to that American service member and his family,” Warren said. “He is an American hero. This is a reminder of the risk our men and women face every day supporting the fight against ISIL.”

ISIL Attack Was Large-Scale

“We think there were at least 125 enemy fighters involved in this fairly complicated, complex attack. So it was a big fight -- one of the largest we've seen recently,” the colonel said.

With several peshmerga outposts in the area, the force rapidly generated its series of counterattack forces, which numbered in the hundreds for the counterattack and regained control of Tal Asquf, Warren added.

No other coalition or American forces were injured, he said, but he added that both medical evacuation helicopters were damaged by small-arms fire. The peshmerga casualty numbers are not yet known, Warren said.

“Coalition air responded with 31 strikes taken by 11 manned aircraft and two drones,” he said. “Air power destroyed 20 enemy vehicles, two truck bombs, three mortar systems [and] one bulldozer, [and] 58 ISIL terrorists were killed.”

ISIL Enters Battle in ‘Technicals’

Operation Inherent Resolve officials believe the attack is likely linked to a string of recent ISIL defeats and ongoing pressure, Warren said, adding that such a pattern has been observed.
“When they are back on their heels, they often will try a high-profile, high-visibility attack to gain some attention,” he told reporters.

ISIL moves into battle with vehicles the coalition calls “technicals,” Warren said, an all-encompassing term for homemade gun trucks. “They throw together these … ‘Jed Clampett’ [vehicles], bolt a machine gun onto the hood of a pickup truck, Gremlin or whatever they can find with four wheels and an engine,” he said.


ISIL troop-carrying vehicles have no standardization, he said. “This is a nonstandard military force that we're facing,” he said, “so it's a little bit of everything, … [and] we've destroyed 20 of them.”

Coalition Killed 10 Senior ISIL Leaders In December

Terri Moon Cronk at DoD News offers the below piece:

WASHINGTON, Dec. 29, 2015 — A high-value Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant leader killed by U.S.-led coalition airstrikes Dec. 24 was just one of 10 ISIL leaders targeted and killed so far this month, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren (shown in the above U.S. Army photo) confirmed today.

Speaking to reporters at the Pentagon via a live satellite feed from Baghdad, Warren said Syria-based Charaffe al Mouadan was “planning additional attacks against the West,” and was directly linked to Abdelhamid Abaaoud, leader of the cell responsible for the terrorist attacks in Paris last month.

The ISIL leaders were killed in coalition airstrikes that took place from Dec. 7-27, he said, noting that several were external attack planners linked to the Paris attacks.

‘Striking at the Head of the Snake’

“In addition to our tactical operations, we are also striking at the head of this snake by hunting down and killing ISIL leaders,” Warren said.

Warren also provided descriptions of the other nine deceased ISIL leaders:

-- Rawand Dilsher Taher, an external operations facilitator; and Khalil Ahmad Ali al-Wais, also known as Abu Wadhah of Kirkuk province, Afghanistan. Taher, killed Dec. 7 near Raqqah, Syria, was a trusted ISIL member who assisted with command and control and handling and transferring money and equipment. Abu Wadhad, the ISIL emir of Kirkuk province had a long history of targeting U.S. and Iraqi forces, and he was killed Dec. 7 near Huwayjah, Iraq.

-- Abu Anas, an ISIL bomb cell facilitator, was killed Dec. 8 near Kirkuk, Iraq. His death, Warren said, “will disrupt ISIL's ability to conduct [improvised explosive device] attacks near Kirkuk.”

-- Yunis Khalash, aka Abu Jawdat, who was ISIL’s deputy financial emir in Mosul, was killed Dec 9. His death will burden senior ISIL cadre to find a technically skilled and trustworthy replacement, Warren said. Mithaq Najim, ISIL’s deputy emir in Kirkuk province was also killed Dec. 9 near Huwayjah, Iraq. “Najim's removal disrupts ISIL’s ability to train, command and maintain fighters in Kirkuk province,” Warren said.

-- Syria-based Bangladeshi Siful Haque Sujan was killed Dec. 10 near Raqqah, Syria. Sujan was an external operations planner and a United Kingdom-educated computer systems engineer, Warren said, adding Sujan supported ISIL hacking efforts, anti-surveillance technology and weapons development. “Now that he's dead, ISIL has lost a key link between networks,” he said.

-- Akram Muhammad Sa'ad Faris, also known as Akram Aabu, an ISIL commander and executioner, was killed Dec. 12 near his base of operations in Tal Afar, Iraq.

-- Abdel Kader Hakim, another ISIL external operations facilitator, was killed Dec. 26 in Mosul, Iraq. Hakim was a veteran fighter and forgery specialist who had links to the Paris attack network, who also was part of ISIL’s external operations group who enabled attacks against Western targets. “His death removes an important facilitator with many connections in Europe,” Warren said.

--Tashin al-Hayali, an external operations facilitator, was killed Dec. 27 near Mosul, Warren said. 

Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesman Updates Iraq, Syria Operations

Cheryl Pellerin at the DoD News offers the below piece:

WASHINGTON October 21, 2015 — Since operations began against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant targets in Syria and Iraq, the coalition has conducted 7,603 airstrikes, an Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman in Baghdad told Pentagon reporters today via video teleconference.

Army Col. Steve Warren said 4,933 of the strikes have taken place in Iraq, and 2,670 have been conducted in Syria.

In Iraq, Iraqi forces have regained most of the Beiji oil refinery and are clearing small pockets of enemy resistance, Warren said, noting that coalition forces have conducted four airstrikes in Beiji over the last week. The Iraqi air force has been flying in direct support of ground forces at Beiji, flying more than 40 missions over the last three days, he added.

“The ability of the Iraqi air force to fly close air support missions and support their own ground forces marks a key milestone … in capability that we are helping the Iraqi security forces develop,” Warren said.

Clearing IEDs

In Ramadi, Iraq is consolidating and reorganizing its security forces in preparation for continued offensive operations, he added, and Iraqi forces on the northern, southern and western axes are clearing improvised explosive devices in populated areas.

ISIL forces in Ramadi have conducted unsuccessful counterattacks in recent days, Warren said, including an attempted counterattack last night along the western access using three vehicle-borne bombs, indirect fire and a ground assault.

“Aided by coalition airstrikes, Iraqi security forces fought off these attacks, and in the process destroyed a command-and-control node, struck a [vehicle bomb] before the enemy was able to use it, and killed several enemy [fighters],” Warren said.

Syria Airstrikes

In northern Syria, the coalition conducted 15 airstrikes over the past eight days, focused mainly in Raqqa, Manjeb and Aleppo, the colonel said.

“Yesterday … we signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia regarding measures to minimize the risk of in-flight incidents” Warren added, in the airspace over Syria. The memorandum includes only safety protocols for aircrews he said. “We continue to believe that Russia's strategy in Syria is counterproductive and will exacerbate the instability there,” he added.

Warren said the coalition assesses that the Russians have conducted about 140 airstrikes clustered around Hama, Homs and Latakia.

“According to open-source reports, these strikes have displaced about 7,000 households, or 35,000 people,” he said.” [Most] of these people are believed to be moving to areas where humanitarian support is already strained due to overwhelming numbers.”

Civilian leaders from around the globe have called on Russia to cease its attacks and seek a political solution to the Syrian civil war, Warren said.

Targeting Infrastructure

Focusing on broader aspects of coalition air operations, Warren discussed airstrikes against ISIL munitions factories and the balance of activity on the battlefield.

Along with strikes against high-value targets, tactical operations in support of troops, and dynamic strikes when the coalition sees ISIL conducting operations, he said, “we’ve also got deliberate strikes targeting their infrastructure.”

During the last 45 days, the coalition has struck and destroyed 47 IED and vehicle-bomb factories and has struck 30 oil infrastructure targets, Warren said.

Enemy use of suicide vests and vehicle bombs is down 49 percent from a 12-week average, he added, and IED incidents are down 32 percent.

“The intent with the IED factory and oil targets is to pressure the funding and functioning of the ISIL war machine [by] getting at their industrial base,” Warren said.

Pressuring the Enemy

Warren also explained that the battlefield is more than individual fights.

“We've placed increased pressure on Beiji -- almost completed the Beiji operations … and continued pressure on Ramadi. Then we have pressure over in Syria from our Syrian-Arab coalition partners,” he said.

Such pressure on multiple points across the battlefield makes it necessary for the enemy to react and to move, Warren added.

“Because of the pressure we're placing in Ramadi and Beiji and Syria -- all that pressure is causing our enemy to have to move. And one of the places that we're seeing them move to is Sinjar,” he said, responding to a question about recent heavy airstrikes there.


“And as always,” Warren added, “when we see our enemy, we will kill them.”

Note: In the above U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephane Belcher an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the Red Rippers of Strike Fighter Squadron 11, prepares to launch off the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt, Sept. 14, 2015. Theodore Roosevelt is deployed in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed while conducting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region.

You can click on the above photo to enlarge.

Hashtag USA: U.S. Navy Celebrates July 4th American Independence on Aircraft Carrier

Sailors spell out #USA next to the American flag to mark Independence Day on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the Arabian Sea.

The carrier is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations to support Operation Inherent Resolve and strike operations in Iraq and Syria.

The above U.S. Navy photo was taken by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jackie Hart.

Note: You can click on the photo to enlarge.

Airstrikes Hit ISIL In Syria, Iraq

The Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve released the below information:

SOUTHWEST ASIA, June 19, 2015 - U.S. and coalition military forces have continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria and Iraq, Combined Joint Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve officials reported today.

Officials reported details of the latest strikes, which took place between 8 a.m. yesterday and 8 a.m. today, local time, noting that assessments of results are based on initial reports.

Airstrikes in Syria

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 11 airstrikes in Syria:

-- Near Raqqah, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying two ISIL vehicles.

-- Near Hasakah, one airstrike struck an ISIL weapons manufacturing building.

-- Near Dayr Az Zawr, four airstrikes struck three ISIL crude oil collection points.

-- Near Tal Abyad, five airstrikes struck four ISIL tactical units, destroying two ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL mortar system.

Airstrikes in Iraq

Attack, bomber, fighter and remotely piloted aircraft conducted 13 airstrikes in Iraq, approved by the Iraqi Ministry of Defense:

-- Near Huwayjah, two airstrikes struck land features denying ISIL a tactical advantage, destroying an ISIL weapons cache.

-- Near Beiji, two airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL bunkers and an ISIL fighting position.

-- Near Fallujah, two airstrikes destroyed an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL heavy machine gun and an ISIL vehicle.

-- Near Makhmur, one airstrike struck an ISIL staging area.

-- Near Mosul, five airstrikes struck an ISIL tactical unit, an ISIL rocket firing position and an ISIL structure, destroying an ISIL excavator, an ISIL fighting position, an ISIL rocket and an ISIL tank.

-- Near Sinjar, one airstrike struck an ISIL tactical unit, destroying three ISIL heavy machine guns and four ISIL structures.

Part of Operation Inherent Resolve

The strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the ISIL terrorist group and the threat they pose to Iraq, Syria, the region, and the wider international community. The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project terror and conduct operations, officials said.

Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Iraq include the United States, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Jordan, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Coalition nations conducting airstrikes in Syria include the United States, Bahrain, Canada, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Note:  The above U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Josh Petrosino shows a U.S. Navy seaman directing an E/A-18G Growler to the catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt in the U.S. 5th fleet area of operations on May 28, 2015. The Theodore Roosevelt is supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, which includes strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed.

You can click on the above photo to enlarge.

Airstrikes Continue Against ISIL Targets in Syria, Iraq

The U.S. Central Command released the below:

TAMPA, Fla., Oct. 21, 2014 - U.S. military forces continued to attack Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant terrorists in Syria yesterday and today, using fighter and bomber aircraft to conduct four airstrikes, U.S. Central Command officials reported.

Separately, officials added, U.S. and partner-nation forces conducted three airstrikes using fighter and attack aircraft against ISIL terrorists in Iraq. In Syria, four airstrikes near Kobani destroyed ISIL fighting positions, an ISIL building, and a large ISIL unit. In Iraq, an airstrike destroyed an ISIL fighting position south of the Bayji oil refinery.

Another airstrike southeast of Mosul Dam destroyed an ISIL fighting position, and an airstrike north of Fallujah suppressed an ISIL attack.

All aircraft exited the strike areas safely, officials said, and airstrike assessments are based on initial reports.

The U.S. strikes were conducted as part of Operation Inherent Resolve, the operation to eliminate the terrorist group ISIL and the threat they pose to Iraq, the region and the wider international community.

The destruction of ISIL targets in Syria and Iraq further limits the terrorist group's ability to project power and conduct operations, Centcom officials said.