USS Gerald R Ford: World's biggest warship travels through Strait of Gibraltar

A US carrier strike group, including the world's biggest aircraft carrier, has travelled through the Strait of Gibraltar and left the Mediterranean Sea.

USS Gerald R Ford, the world's most advanced carrier, has been in the Eastern Mediterranean on an eight-month deployment.

During her time in the region, the carrier operated in areas that fall under both the US European Command and US Africa Command.  

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Captain Rick Burgess, Commanding Officer of USS Gerald R Ford, said the ship and crew "performed remarkably" on the deployment.

"Our sailors breathed life into the ship's advanced technologies to demonstrate the extraordinary capabilities Ford-class carriers will provide to future generations," he said.

"At the height of our readiness and proficiency, we were called to the eastern Med, and proved to be the right ship at the right time to answer our nation's calling. 

"The Gerald R Ford is everything our nation hoped it would be, and more."

Last year, an RAF P-8 Poseidon took part in exercises with USS Gerald R Ford off the Norwegian coast.

The carrier's visit marked the first time a US aircraft carrier has visited the country in 65 years.