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American Navy aircraft carrier The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower recently sailed through the Strait of Gibraltar - which connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and entered the Med on Saturday night, reported by Marine Traffic maritime portal despite escalating Russian tensions.

The site claims that the carrier which is going by the call sign Ike was sailing east of Gibraltar on Sunday afternoon.

Eisenhower allegedly has an escort of several other US Navy ships which are believed to include USS San Jacinto and USS Vella Gulf Tomahawk - both armed guided missile cruisers.

It's also believed that destroyers USS Stout, USS James. Williams and USS Truxton are part of the escort.

US Navy officials recently released a statement about the vessells operation, stating that the group was "conducting operations in the US 6th Fleet to support maritime security operations in international waters, alongside our allies and partners."

The Sixth Fleet is based in the Italian city of Naples and operates in the European, North African theatres which include the Mediterranean Sea.

It's believed that the group also boasts eight squadrons of F/A-18E fighter jets and maritime attack choppers. Sources also say that they are manned by 6,000 sailors.

(Image: SIPA USA/PA Images)

Speaking about the vessel, Vice Admiral Lisa Franchetti - commander of the Sixth Fleet said: "Ike offers tremendous capability to the region, during her operations in the Atlantic, Ike strike group will exercise the fundamental warfare practice of ensuring the security of vital sea lanes of communication.

"The deployment will also serve to demonstrate [the] commitment to our allies and partners in Europe and Africa."

(Image: Getty Images)

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, a nuclear-powered carrier began its deployment on February 20, soon after completing its certification exercises and without returning to its Norfolk, Virginia home.

The $4.5 billion vessel had previously served in the Gulf War between 1990-1991 and also supported the US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan during the 2000s.