One of the Royal Navy's most advanced warships is supporting US forces as they launch airstrikes against Islamic State militants.
HMS Defender is using its hi-tech air defence weapons to protect US Navy aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush and her aircraft as they carry out bombing missions against IS targets, the Ministry of Defence said.
The Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer is using its air defence radar and Sea Viper missile system as part of an "umbrella" of support for the Nimitz class aircraft carrier and its escort ships as they patrol the Gulf.
The ship was deployed to the Gulf in June 2014, tasked with conducting maritime security operations throughout the Middle East and as far south as the coast of Somalia, where pirates have caused chaos with hijackings and kidnappings.
It is now operating with the US navy's Arleigh-Burke class destroyers USS Truxton and USS Roosevelt and the Ticonderoga class destroyer USS Philippine Sea to provide support for the USS George HW Bush.
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Gallery: IS Oil Refineries Hit By US Airstrikes
A man inspects damage at an oil refinery that was targeted by what activists said were US-led air strikes at al-Khaboura village, near the Syrian town of Tel Abyad of Raqqa governate
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Three makeshift oil refineries in Syria's Raqqa province were hit as part of an assault to weaken Islamic State (IS) militants
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The United States has been carrying out strikes in Iraq against the Islamic State since July and more recently in Syria with the help of allies
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It aims to damage and destroy the bases and forces of the al Qaeda offshoot which has captured large areas of both countries
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Street vendors selling diesel and gasoline wait for customers along a street in the Islamic State's stronghold of Raqqa
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Activists said that the price of the diesel and gasoline has increased since the beginning of the US air raids. Continue through for more pictures
Engaged in round-the-clock operations, HMS Defender's task is to build an accurate air surveillance picture over the whole of the Gulf in order to guard the US aircraft carrier against possible air attack.
Royal Navy Commander Phil Nash, Defender's commanding officer, said: "As an air defence destroyer, HMS Defender was built for exactly the sort of tasking that we are conducting in support of the USS George HW Bush.
"Since we arrived in the Gulf in June, we have been engaged in exercises with navies from around the world to test our air defence capabilities and I am delighted that my ship's company now have an opportunity to put into practice the training they have received over the past few months.
"This will be our primary role in the future, so to be able to provide the same defensive shield to a US Navy aircraft carrier that we will deliver as part of a British carrier strike group is an excellent chance to prove the value we can add in a national and international environment."
The UK has already committed Royal Air Force fighter bombers to carry out reconnaissance missions and air strikes in Iraq.
Visiting troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, David Cameron has warned that the fight against Islamist extremism will continue for many years.
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