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The USA is sending the USS Theodore Roosevelt to South Korea, within striking range of Kim Jong-un’s North Korean hermit state. The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier left San Diego last week to focus on maritime security operations in the area. The £3.4billion warship is “ready as a war-fighting force”, Admiral Steve Koehler said. The strike group commander said: “The US Navy carrier strike group is the most versatile, capable force at sea,” he said in a statement before the ship’s launch.

GETTY North Korea has been sent a World War 3 warning by the USA

“After nearly a year of training and integration exercises, the entire team is ready as a war-fighting force and ready to carry out the nation’s tasking.” The USS Theodore Roosevelt will join USS Bunker Hill, USS Halsey, USS Sampson and USS Treble deployment in East Asia and the Middle East. Captain Carlos Sardiello praised the thousands of marines en route to the region.

He said: “It is a privilege and joy to lead this magnificent crew out on deployment. “We are grateful for the steadfast assistance provided by those responsible for manning, training and equipping this ship and air wing team, as well as the support and sacrifice of our families and friends in San Diego and beyond." It comes amid rising tension on the Korean peninsula following another round of threats and counter-threats from US president Trump and despot Kim Jong-un.

GETTY The USS Theodore Roosevelt has been deployed from San Diego

Today North Korea vowed once again to attack the US territory of Guam if America did not halt military drills in South Korea. A state-run newspaper said: “We have already warned several times that we will take counteractions for self-defence including a salvo of missiles into waters near the US territory of Guam. READ MORE: Will the USA attack North Korea?

GETTY Donald Trump threatened to 'totally destroy' North Korea earlier this month