WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The carrier and its strike force sailed on schedule on Monday, as tensions mounted in the Middle East following Friday’s terrorist attacks in Paris that killed more than 130 people, and France's retalitary airstrikes in Raqqa, Syria over the weekend.
"We certainly extend our condolences to the French and look forward to supporting them as part of a coalition in any way that we can," Rear Admiral Bret Batchelder, the Truman carrier strike group’s commander was reported as saying by the Navy Times.
The super-carrier’s strike group includes the guided-missile cruiser USS Anzio, and the guided missile destroyers USS Gravely, USS Bulkeley and USS Gonzalez.
The Truman's Skipper, Captain Ryan Scholl, told the Navy Times that there had been no changes to the forces deployment orders after the Paris attacks, but that there was a great determination among US sailors to support France following the terrorist attacks.
