Super Hornet Air Power Demonstration

In the above U.S. Navy photo an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the "Tomcatters" of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 breaks the sound barrier above the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) during an air power demonstration.

The ship and its carrier strike group are returning home from a seven-month deployment in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of responsibility.

The above photo was taken by U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Matt Matlage.  

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

Jet Launch From Carrier At Sea

In the above released U.S. Navy photo two jets launch from the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).  

The carrier is the flagship of the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group and the group is conducting naval operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations in support of U.S. national security interests in Europe and Africa. 

The above photo was taken by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Patrick Ian Crimmins.

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

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. Aircraft Carrier Launches Aircraft To Attack Islamic Terrorists Positions

In the above U.S. Navy photo an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31 and an F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77).

The carrier aircraft are conducting strike missions against ISIL targets. The George H.W. Bush is supporting maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Note: The above U.S. Navy photo was taken by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Robert Burck.

You can click on the photo to enlarge.