US Navy carrier strike groups conduct joint exercises in Mediterranean Sea PHOTO

Ships and aircraft from two US Navy carrier strike groups have conducted joint exercises in the Mediterranean Sea over the past three days.

According to the US Sixth Fleet website c6f.navy.mil, sailors and naval aviation pilots from the aircraft carrier strike group USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) and the aircraft carrier strike group USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) practised ballistic missile defence, flight and maritime security operations.

They were joined by the US Sixth Fleet command ship Mount Whitney and the Italian Navy frigates Virginio Fasan and Carlo Margottini. More than 11,000 U.S. military personnel participated in the three-day exercise.

"The joint exercise demonstrates the US Navy's ability to seamlessly execute multiple missions, deter aggression and support our allies and partners," said Rear Admiral Eric Eslich, commander of CSG 12.

"The tight integration of naval and air command between us and our partners helps build a common tactical picture across the theatre, making us a more capable force," said Rear Admiral Mark Miguez, commander, CSG 2. - We focus on teamwork, and the exercise with the two carriers allows us to hone that".