11/23/2015: ARABIAN GULF (Nov. 19, 2015)
An AV-8B Harrier assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU), launches from the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) to conduct their first missions over Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
Kearsarge is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet, supporting Operation Inherent Resolve, the effort to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL; maritime security operations; and regional theater security cooperation efforts.
Credit: Navy Media Content Services:11/19/15
The Kearsarge and Harriers operating off of it are no strangers to the region.
The synergy of ship, strike aircraft, and Ospreys played a significant role in Odyssey Dawn.
http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-role-of-the-osprey-in-operation-odyssey-dawn/
http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-libyan-operation-comparing-the-french-and-usmc-experiences/
http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/the-amphibious-ready-group-arg-and-libya/
And it was from the Kearsarge that the TRAP mission to save the downed USAF pilot in Libya was launched as well.
http://sldinfo.wpstage.net/looking-back-on-the-libyan-trap-mission-battle-hardened-marines-drive-innovation/