CNN breaking news report as US begins air strikes in Syria.
A military mission has begun from the USS H.W. Bush Nimitz-class supercarrier of the United States Navy and other US naval ships. The F-22 Raptor is reported be involved in the mission, which would be the first time the aircraft has been used in combat. Fighter jets, bombers and Tomahawk missiles.
The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) is reported to be launching the Tomahawk missiles at Syria — speculated to be from a position in the Mediterranean Sea, but later reported to be the Red Sea. The USS Arleigh Burke is the lead ship of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers launched on September 16 1989. The USS Arleigh Burke has participated in Bosnia-Herzegovina operations, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, anti-pirate operations in Somalia, and other operations.
The USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) was mentioned in April 2011 as being a possible test platform for a railgun — an electromagnetic projectile launcher that is known to send a 7-pound projectile hypersonic as fast 5343 miles per hour. A tested projectile round made by Boeing is known to have been sent by the General Atomics railgun with zero elevation downrange over four miles after going through a steel wall.
US military & partner nation forces have begun striking ISIL targets in Syria using mix of fighters, bombers and Tomahawk missiles.
— Rear Adm. John Kirby (@PentagonPresSec) September 23, 2014
Explosions had begun about 0115 UT. About 20 ISIL targets are believed to be involved in the military operation. The targets are reported to be ISIS safe havens, training camps, command and control centers, warehouses, parking areas of weaponized vehicles, and supply routes.
Five Arab nations are working along side with the United States — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Bahrain and Qatar.
The British and French are not part of the air strike operations.
President Barack Obama was not expected to speak Monday night about the military operations.