Another aircraft carrier joins the fight against ISIS in the mediterranean

This post is also available in: עברית (Hebrew)

The carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower and her escorts have been doing last-minute preps ahead of a planned seven-month deployment that is expected to put them squarely in the middle of fight with the Islamic State group.

The Eisenhower set of on deployment on June 1, deploying with cruiser San Jacinto and destroyers Roosevelt and Mason.

After preparations, air crews launched from the deck of carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower on strike missions against the Islamic State group in Iraq from the Eastern Mediterranean — the same region from which the homeward-bound carrier Harry S. Truman has continued airstrikes on the militancy.

The aircraft carrier nicknamed ‘Ike’ was supposed to have set sail back in November, but its departure was delayed, and the Harry S. Truman headed out in its place. The Ike was undergoing various repair work, which took almost two years to complete.

“When and where we operate an aircraft carrier sends a strong signal,” said Vice Adm. James Foggo, the 6th Fleet boss, in a release. “As demonstrated by Truman, and now Ike, a carrier strike group can effectively counter ISIL, reassure our allies and deter adversaries all from the Eastern Mediterranean.”

The vast majority of the aircraft carrier’s operations will be carried out from the air. However, the mission will also attempt to showcase how the US Navy can use energy saving initiatives to lower its dependence on foreign oil supplies. The Ike will be running on a biofuel mixture of petroleum and beef fat.