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Published November 29, 2015
As the U.S. cements its strategy on how to best fight ISIS terrorists in Syria and Iraq, a top U.S. Navy official told FoxNews.com his branch of the Armed Forces is working to keep the upper hand against the terror group.
Fox News National Security Analyst KT McFarland spoke to Navy Adm. Jonathan Greenert, chief of naval operations, about the nation's current role in the Middle East.
He points out that the Navy is a crucial component to Operation Inherent Resolve, the military’s campaign against ISIS.
“Some of it is just information – intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance … others are strikes and it depends on what the central commander desires,” said Greenert.
He added, “this could include jamming of some of ISIS’ network … We are standing by with Tomahawk missiles, . . . which, in fact, we used on that first night at the start of this operation.”
The Navy is currently working with partner nations on coordinating a strategy against ISIS.
In addition to counterterrorism cooperation, “we also share information on what is happening in and around what’s happening with this [ISIS] network,” said Greenert. “The most important aspect is where are these bad guys. We go in early on and you can find some targets very quickly, but then they start moving around and it gets complicated, complex … so it’s really about information sharing.”
Intelligence sharing could include person-to-person contact, drones, as well as monitoring events from the sea.
He believes the U.S. Navy currently has the right level of resources in the region to achieve their objectives.
Some critics, though, want the Navy to have two carrier strike groups in the Persian Gulf, which was the case in 2012 until budget cuts reduced their deployment to one carrier.
“We did have two carriers in the Arabian gulf for a period of time that was during some increased tensions with Iran,” said Greenert. “One is working fine for now and I think we have the proper capabilities there. We will be where it matters when it matters.”
https://www.foxnews.com/us/navy-admiral-shares-details-of-operation-inherent-resolve