Jun 13, 2014 | by Richard Sisk
USS George H.W. Bush celebrates the 41st President turning 90 years old. (USS George H.W. Bush)
The U.S. aircraft carrier George H.W. Bush and her more than 50 attack aircraft were available to conduct airstrikes against Islamic militants in Iraq if President Obama gives the order, Pentagon officials said Friday.
The Bush and her accompanying battle group of ships "were in the region and ready for any tasking," said Rear Adm. John Kirby, the Pentagon press secretary. Kirby would not confirm several reports that the Bush had already moved into the Persian Gulf.
The 1092-foot, nuclear-powered carrier, named for former President George H.W. Bush, deployed from her homeport in Norfolk, Va., in February on a regular rotation to the Mediterranean and the Persian Gulf region.
The Bush would be among several military options that were being drawn up by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and his planning staff for President Obama's consideration to stop the swift advance of fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq who have taken over major cities west and north of Baghdad.
"It's our job to provide the Commander-In-Chief with options. We're doing that," Kirby said. In addition, the U.S. has also stepped up intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations with drones over Iraq at the request of the embattled government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki.
Kirby said the military options being prepared for Obama were "designed to break the momentum of ISIS forces" which reportedly have come within 50 miles of Baghdad against little resistance from the U.S.-trained Iraqi security forces.
http://www.military.com/daily-news/2...r-strikes.html
