MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

USS Ronald Reagan in Magellan Strait.

USS Ronald Reagan one of the US Navy's largest and most modern aircraft carriers, entered this Sunday the Magellan Strait and is expected to anchor off Punta Arenas in Chilean Patagonia.

The huge nuclear powered carrier is heading for San Diego, her operational port and during the long journey from Norfolk in the east coast participated in exercises with the Brazilian and Argentine navies.

She's escorted by missile cruiser USS Thomas Gates and destroyer USS Benfold. In Valparaíso the flotilla will be joined by USS Camden, a support vessel and tanker.

While sailing along the Pacific USS Ronald Reagan, CVN 76, will be involved in naval exercises with units and aircrafts from the Chilean Navy.

Actually two Chilean pilots are advising the carrier how to get through the Magellan Strait.

USS Reagan carries over 80 aircraft and helicopters, a crew of 5,500 and cost 4,5 billion US dollars to build. She replaced USS Constellation that was decommissioned in 2003 after 41 years of service.