The US Navy’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) and embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 have conducted their first mission in the fight against ISIS.

The Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is deployed in the US 5th Fleet area of operations to support Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR), strike operations in Iraq and Syria, maritime security operations, and theatre security cooperation efforts in the region.

CSG 8 commander rear admiral Bret Batchelder said the abilities the forces bring to the fight are a vital part of the diplomatic, informational, military and economic (DIME) equation.

"We provide the hard power in the collective DIME, and look forward to contributing however we can."

"Warfighting is the priority; that’s why we are here.

"We provide the hard power in the collective DIME, and look forward to contributing however we can. Dual carrier operations with the French allow us to maximise our firepower and provide a unique opportunity to further progress against ISIS. It validates our abilities to successfully operate as an international coalition while conducting very dynamic operations."

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CVW 7 captain Fredrick Luchtman said: "We complement each other in that while one carrier is able to fly sorties in-country to support OIR, the other carrier can conduct maintenance and prepare for the next day.

"The carriers can then swap, which allows us to put more sorties in country while we partner in this operation."

The aircraft carrier joins French nuclear powered aircraft carrier FS Charles De Gaulle (R 91), which is conducting combined combat operations in Iraq and Syria from the Arabian Gulf.