7 US aircraft carriers deployed as Trump visits Asia

Seven US aircraft carrier strike groups are operating at sea at the same time for the first time in years, as Mr Trump tours Asia.

Three US aircraft carrier strike groups conduct joint exercises in 2007. Photo: USNI

Seven US aircraft carrier strike groups are conducting exercises and training in different sea areas during President Donald Trump's 12-day trip to Asia, according to Business Insider.

The US Navy said three aircraft carrier strike groups, the USS Nimitz, USS Ronald Reagan and USS Theodore Roosevelt, are in the Pacific Ocean and are expected to conduct a joint exercise in the area in the coming days.

In addition, four other aircraft carrier strike groups, including USS Carl Vinson, John C. Stennis, USS Abraham Lincoln and USS Gerald R. Ford, also conducted short-term training missions or conducted preparations before being deployed to combat duty in the eastern Pacific and Atlantic.

This is the first time the US has deployed seven of its 11 aircraft carriers at the same time in many years, leading many to believe that this is a show of force by Washington in the face of North Korea's nuclear threat.

President Trump continued to make tough statements against Pyongyang's nuclear and ballistic missile programs during his trip to Asia. At a joint press conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on November 6, Trump reaffirmed that "the era of strategic patience is over" with North Korea.

The US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) believes that North Korea only needs a few more months to complete an intercontinental ballistic missile with a nuclear warhead capable of reaching the US mainland, a scenario that Mr. Trump is trying to prevent.

US Defense Secretary James Mattis affirmed that Washington prioritizes a diplomatic solution to end Pyongyang's nuclear weapons program, and affirmed that this option is most effective "when backed by formidable military force".

According to VNE