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The USS Theodore Roosevelt, a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier, is en route to the western Pacific after leaving San Diego port last week.

The Roosevelt will focus on maritime security operations in the Pacific and Middle East, the US military announced.

But the £3.4billion ($4.5billion) warship, known as “the Big Stick”, has been sent to boost US defence on the Korean peninsula, according to South Korean media.

It is expected to arrive in region in the coming weeks amid fears North Korea is about to test another missile or nuclear weapon.

(Image: GETTY)

Admiral Steve Koehler, a strike group commander on the ship, said the 7,500 sailors and marines on the vessel are “ready as a war fighting force”.

“The US Navy carrier strike group is the most versatile, capable force at sea,” he said in a statement before the ship’s launch.

“After nearly a year of training and integration exercises, the entire team is ready as a warfighting force and ready to carry out the nation’s tasking.”

(Image: WIKIPEDIA)

If dispatched to the Korean peninsula, the Roosevelt will be the second aircraft carrier to arrive in the region after the USS Ronald Reagan.

The USS Ronald Reagan is currently conducting joint military exercises with Japanese military near Okinawa.

A US military helicopter crash landed in Okinawa earlier today just hours after exercises kicked off.

The Regan will take part in joint drills with South Korea later this month.

Tensions have been reaching fever pitch on the Korean peninsula in recent days with the US holding a series of military drills.

Six US planes – including a “nuclear sniffer” and two Air Force B-1B Lancer bombers – took part in the brazen show of force last night.

The provocative move came after Trump suggested military action against North Korea may be the only option to solve the crisis.