Sky News sees US pilots take part in NATO exercises in European waters as the alliance's chief voices new concern about Ukraine after Russia falsely alleged the Ukrainians were planning to use a radioactive "dirty bomb" on their own territory.
The commander of the carrier strike group told Sky News his message to Russia is that his men and women "are ready for any mission".
"We want the war [in Ukraine] to be over and to bring stability back to the region and have a peaceful and stable Europe - but, for us, we are ready."
Asked if that meant he was ready for war if necessary, the admiral said: "This ship, this strike group, our allies: we are ready for anything. We demonstrate that every day."
Source: Sky News - YouTube