Before dawn on September 23, US military forces were joined by several Gulf coalition partners in striking Islamic State targets in northern Syria. The strikes began with a flurry of 47 Tomahawk cruise missiles launched from the cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) and destroyer USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51), followed by two waves of strike aircraft dropping precision-guided munitions on a host of targets. Most of the aircraft in the third wave came from the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN 77) operating in the Persian Gulf.
Strikes on ISIS targets have continued since Sept. 23. Here is a comprehensive selection of videos and still images depicting ships, aircraft, weapons and some of the hits they’re making on targets in Syria and Iraq.
Below: In one of the first videos released by Britain’s Ministry of Defence (MoD), a Brimstone missile launched by a Royal Air Force Tornado strike aircraft on Sept. 30 hits an ISIS armed truck in northwest Iraq.
Below: From Oct. 3, scenes of flight deck operations aboard the carrier George H. W. Bush, all in support of anti-ISIS operations. (DoD video)
Below: F/A-18 strike fighters launch and recover aboard the carrier George H. W. Bush during air operations against ISIS on Oct. 2. The day before, US and partner nation aircraft made at least 11 air strikes against ISIS targets in Northern Syria and Iraq. (DoD video)
Below: Strike video of a Monday, Sept. 29 US attack on an ISIS-held building east of Al Hasakah, Syria. (DoD video)2
Below: A strike by US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle fighters hits an ISIL compound near Kobani, Syria on Saturday, Sept. 27. (DoD video)
Below: F/A-18 Hornet strike fighters and EA-6B Prowler electronic attack aircraft return to and launch from the Bush on Friday, Sept. 26. On this day, aircraft from the carrier were hitting ISIS targets in Iraq. (US Navy video)
This official video from Sept. 25 shows US Navy aircraft launching from the Bush against ISIS targets in Iraq.
Below: US strike on an ISIS tank in a revetment in Iraq on Sept. 25. (DoD video)
Below: An ISIS vehicle on a road in Iraq is hit by a US air strike on Sept. 25. (DoD video)
The US so far is refraining from giving the attacks on ISIS an operational name, like Operation Desert Storm or Operation Enduring Freedom. Historically, this is highly unusual.
Here’s a selection of videos and images showing the attacks.
Tomahawks fly from the cruiser Philippine Sea underway in the Persian Gulf. (US Navy)
Another series of Tomahawk launches from the Philippine Sea. (US Navy)
The view from the bridge of the cruiser Philippine Sea during the missile launches. (US Navy video)
The view from the carrier George H. W. Bush as the Philippine Sea shoots Tomahawks into the night sky. (US Navy)
Tomahawks launch from the vertical launch system aboard the destroyer USS Arleigh Burke in the Red Sea. (US Navy)
F/A-18 Hornets and EA-6B Prowler electronic warfare aircraft launch early on Sept. 23, 2014, from the aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush in the Persian Gulf against ISIS targets in Syria. Most of these aircraft were involved in the third wave of attacks carried out that morning. (US Navy video)
An F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 31, and an F/A-18F Super Hornet of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 213 ready for takeoff from the Bush early on Sept. 23. (US Navy photo by MC3 Robert Burck)
Night vision goggles footage of US Air Force F-16s getting fuel from a US KC-135 Stratotanker, Sept. 23, 2014, during air strikes against ISIL in Syria.
RESULTS
As ISIL building and tanks are hit on Sept. 23. (DoD video)
Weapons system video of US airstrike against an ISIL compound northwest of Ar Raqqah, Syria, Sept. 23, 2014. (DoD video)
ISIL storage facility near Abu Kamal, Syria, struck by US strike aircraft Sept. 23, 2014. (DoD video)
ISIL storage facility near Abu Kamal, Syria, struck by US strike aircraft Sept. 23, 2014. (DoD video)
Sept. 24 strikes
US airstrike on Jeribe West Modular Refinery, Syria, Sept. 24, 2014. (DoD video)
US Air Force F-15E Strike Eagles hit the Mayadin Modular Refinery on Sept. 24. (DoD video)
Christopher P. Cavas
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