Northern Iraq airstrikess from CVN 77 - F/A-18 Super Hornets are recovered aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

F/A-18 Super Hornets are recovered aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) while underway in the Arabian Gulf. Bush is operating in the Arabian Gulf on a scheduled deployment to U.S. 5th Fleet. The president has authorized U.S. Central Command to conduct military operations in support of humanitarian aid deliveries and targeted airstrikes in Iraq to protect U.S. personnel and interests, in response to activities conducted by Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) terrorists. (RELEASED) ARABIAN Gulf (Aug. 8, 2014)

U.S. air assets taking part in the campaign include Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles, Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcons and General Atomics MQ-1 Predators. The Navy is participating with Boeing F/A-18 Hornets flying off the deck of USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77).