Tri-Service
EXCLUSIVE: The Fighter Pilots On The Frontline Against Daesh
US Navy aircraft carrier the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is at the forefront of the coalition military effort against Daesh.
Forces TV's Simon Newton is the first UK journalist to visit the ship since it began operations last month in the Arabian Gulf.
He's been given rare access to the aircrews flying combat missions over Iraq and Syria.
A steam catapult similar to the one used to launch aircraft from Dwight D. Eisenhower
The US Navy's elite, they're among the finest fighter pilots in the world.
"Aaron", one of the F/A-18 Super Hornet pilots, told us:
"None of us would do this if we didn't think the risk was worth it - that the mission wasn't necessary. Someone has to do it."
F/A-18 Super Hornet: Factfile
Crew: 1 or 2 depending on variant.
Length: 60 ft 1¼ in (18.31 m)
Wingspan: 44 ft 8½ in (13.62 m)
Height: 16 ft (4.88 m)
Loaded weight: 47,000 lb (21,320 kg)
Maximum speed: Mach 1.8 (1,190 mph, 1,915 km/h) at 40,000 ft (12,190 m)
Range: 1,275 nmi (2,346 km)
Combat radius: 390 nmi (449 mi, 722 km) for an interdiction mission
Service ceiling: 50,000+ ft (15,000+ m)
Weaponry: 1× 20 mm nose-mounted Gatling-style cannon, air-to-air, air-to-surface & anti-ship missiles, precision, laser-guided & unguided bombs, including cluster bombs, for use against vehicles and personnel.
Related topics
Join Our Newsletter
