Naval History and Heritage Command
Operation Inherent Resolve
ARABIAN GULF (9 September 2015) An HH-60H Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the Sea Knights of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 passes the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) and the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71). Theodore Roosevelt was deployed in the U.S. fleet area of operations supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anna Van Nuys)
On 17 October 2014, Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve was formally established by the Department of Defense in response to ongoing military actions against the rising threat posed by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Spawn from al Qaeda in Iraq after U.S. forces departed Iraq on 15 December 2011, ISIS rose to power and claimed to have an Islamic caliphate throughout the region. By June 2014, the security situation in Syria and Iraq had severely deteriorated with the Iraqi cities of Mosul and Tikrit falling into ISIS hands.
During the operation, U.S. Navy ships and assets deployed to the Arabian Gulf in the U.S. fleet area of operations and provided maritime security and support. While in the region, ships and strike groups conducted missions to annihilate the Islamic state group as well as reassure U.S. allies and partners, preserve freedom of navigation, and maintain the free flow of commerce.
By July 2017, CJTF-OIR coalition, Syrian and Iraqi partnered forces made enormous progress against ISIS ambitions. The cities of Mosul and Tikrit have been liberated, and coalition forces defeated insurgent counterattacks and reclaimed thousands of square kilometers. By 2019, the footprint of ISIS had all but been eliminated in Iraq and Syria.
Operation Inherent Resolve is still ongoing. Information will be added as it becomes available.
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Notable Ships
- Gridley (DDG-101)
- George H.W. Bush (CVN-77)
- Philippine Sea (CG-58)
- John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
- Harry S. Truman (CVN-75)
- Arleigh Burke (DDG-51)
- Nimitz (CVN-68)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69)
- Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)
Articles/Blogs
- Nimitz Plays Vital Role in Operation Inherent Resolve
- Carter Announces Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
- TR, CVW-17 Launch in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve
- French, US Navies Integrate Under Operation Inherent Resolve
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group Conducts Strikes from Med
- NMCB 11 Seabees and Marines Build Together in Support of Operation Inherent Resolve
- George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group Conducts OIR Missions Against ISIS
- Eisenhower CSG Completes First OIR Missions
- Harry S Truman CSG Completes Major OIR Milestone
- Truman Launches 2,000th Sortie in Support of OIR
- Harry S Truman CSG Launches First OIR Missions
- From Libya to Syria, Iraq, US Navy Fights ISIL From the Med
- Theodore Roosevelt and Naval Aviation: Then and Now
- Partnerships Born from Operation Desert Storm Remain Vital to Middle East Security
- Where are the Shooters? A History of the Tomahawk in Combat
- Dynamic Security: NAVEUR-NAVAF Blazes Trail Reflecting on Past, Preparing for Future
Additional Resources
- Islamic State and U.S. Policy
- Anchor of Resolve
- Armed Conflict in Syria - 2016
- Syria's Chemical Weapons: Issues for Congress
- Armed Conflict in Syria: Overview of US Response - 2017
- Operation Iraqi Freedom
- BDA Tomahawk Strikes1—7 April 2017
- BDA Tomahawk Strikes2—7 April 2017
- BDA Tomahawk Strikes3—7 April 2017
Selected Imagery
160628-N-KK394-036 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (28 June 2016) Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Dominique Asbury, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Jeremy Cooksey transported ordnance on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). Dwight D. Eisenhower was deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security operation efforts in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Anderson W. Branch)
ARABIAN GULF (3 September 2017) An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, prepare to take off from the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), 2 September 2017, in the Arabian Gulf. Nimitz was deployed in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kennishah J. Maddux)
160909-N-CZ759-008 ARABIAN GULF (9 September 2016) The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) sailed in formation with FS Lafayette. Ike and her Carrier Strike Group were deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Theodore Quintana)
180510-N-JI086-140 MEDITERRANEAN SEA (10 May 2018) The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) conducted a replenishment-at-sea with the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE). Harry S. Truman's supported Operation Inherent Resolve that demonstrated the capability and flexibility of U.S. naval forces and their resolve to eliminate the terrorist group ISIS and the threat they pose. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Ford Williams)
180623-M-WP334-0003 IRAQ (23 June 2018) A U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey flies above Iraq during a resupply mission in support of Combined Joint Task Force - Operation Inherent Resolve (CJTF-OIR), 23 June 2018. CJTF-OIR is the military arm of the Global Coalition to defeat ISIS in designated parts of Iraq and Syria. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Jered T. Stone)
ARABIAN GULF (Aug. 25, 2017) A U.S. Navy Sailor used a hand signal to indicate the catapult is ready to be moved up during flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), 25 August 2017, in the Arabian Gulf. Nimitz was deployed in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Leon Wong)
170808-N-UM507-009 ARABIAN GULF (8 August 2017) Sailors loaded an AIM-120C missile into an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Blue Diamonds of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the Arabian Gulf. Nimitz was deployed in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Weston A. Mohr/Released)
180911-M-LM779-004 AT TANF, Syria (Sept. 11, 2018) A Marine with 3rd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, attached to Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force, Crisis Response-Central Command (SPMAGTF-CR-CC), fired an FGM-148 Javelin shoulder-fired anti-tank missile at his target during a live-fire demonstration near At Tanf, Syria, 7 September 2018. SPMAGTF-CR-CC Marines supported Special Operations Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, conducting live-fire demonstrations showcasing the unit's crisis response capabilities. The de-confliction lines for air and ground operations are professional military exchanges to prevent accidental targeting or unnecessary escalation between Russian-backed Syrian regime forces and coalition-backed forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Carlos Lopez)
ARABIAN GULF (31 October 2014) The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104), center, participates in International Mine-countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) with the mine countermeasures ships USS Devastator (MCM-6) and USS Dextrous (MCM-13) and the Royal Navy mine-countermeasure vessels HMS Penzance (M-106), top, and HMS Chiddingfold (M-37). Sterett is deployed as part of the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group supporting maritime security operations, strike operations in Iraq and Syria as directed, and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. Fifth Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Eric Coffer)
180507-N-ER806-0671 SAN DIEGO (7 May 2018) Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Fuel) Miguel Mosquera, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), hugs his family upon the ship's return from a scheduled deployment. Theodore Roosevelt departed San Diego, 6 October 2017 and spent the deployment supporting Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom's Sentinel, as well as maritime security cooperation efforts in U.S. Fifth and Seventh Fleet areas of operation. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Nick Bauer)