"The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKE CSG) entered the Mediterranean Sea June 13, 2016 in support of US national security interests in Europe," the release stated on Monday.
The Navy said the strike group’s arrival to the Mediterranean Sea is part of the Great Green Fleet initiative, which involves a multi-day passing exercise (PASSEX) with the Italian Navy’s Flotta Verde.
"The presence of two carrier strike groups in the AOO demonstrate our commitment to safety and security in the region; and provide a variety of multi-mission platforms, capable and ready for tasking," the release stated.
On June 3, the United States launched its first sorties in support of the fight against Daesh from an aircraft carrier in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The Islamic State, also known as Daesh in Arabic, is a terrorist group outlawed in the United States, Russia and numerous other countries.
