France is deploying its only aircraft carrier, the Charles de Gaulle, to assist in the bombing campaign against ISIS. The carrier deployment is a “rational choice” to “allow us to be more efficient in coordination with our allies,” French President Francois Hollande said, according to the BBC. The carrier holds up to 40 aircraft and can support 100 flights per day, according to the report. US Central Command spokesman Air Force Col. Patrick Ryder said the command “appreciates the tremendous support” from France in this deployment. The country is responsible so far for 271 airstrikes in 1,285 aerial missions in Iraq, according to the BBC. This is the secon?d time the carrier has deployed to the fight this year. France also has deployed its fighter jets to conduct airstrikes in the operation from other bases in the region.
In a nighttime ceremony contrived to continue concealment of many of its features, the new B-21 bomber rolled out of Northrop Grumman's Palmdale, Calif. plant Dec. 2. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said the aircraft's advanced technology represents "deterrence, the American way."