US aircraft carrier moves toward Iraq as violence escalates
By Kate Tummarello – 06/14/14 01:05 PM EDT
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is bringing U.S. military forces closer to Iraq as anti-government insurgents gain ground in the fight against Iraqi troops.
On Saturday, Hagel ordered aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to be moved into the Persian Gulf, bringing it closer to Iraq, Pentagon press secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby said in a statement.
“The order will provide the Commander-in-Chief additional flexibility should military options be required to protect American lives, citizens and interests in Iraq,” according to the spokesman.
The spokesman said the aircraft carrier, currently located in the North Arabian Sea, is being accompanied by a guided-missile cruiser and a guided-missile destroyer and is expected to reach its destination “later this evening.”
The navy’s movement comes as militants led by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria attack Iraqi troops.
Those troops were trained by the U.S., prompting some to call on the U.S. to reengage in Iraq.
Read more: https://thehill.com/policy/defense/209394-us-aircraft-carrier-moves-towards-iraq#ixzz34doWsBJT
