The deployment came amid heightened tensions over North Korea's nuclear and ballistic missile tests.

"This was a unique opportunity to show that the US (is) the only power in the world that can demonstrate that kind of presence, and a unique opportunity for them to be together," chief Pentagon spokesperson Dana White said during a regular press briefing. "It's not directed towards any particular threat, but it's a demonstration that we can do something that no one else in the world can."

Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Frank McKenzie, director of the Joint Staff, added that the deployment was long scheduled and shouldn't be read into for further meaning.

"We always seek to do that when we have an opportunity to do it," he said. "It doesn't come along very often, but it does demonstrate a unique and powerful capability that has a very significant assurance effect on our allies in the Western Pacific."

McKenzie acknowledged that the last time three aircraft carriers were sent to the same region was in 2007.

US President Donald Trump has threatened to "totally destroy" North Korea if it continues its pursuit of a nuclear-tipped missile capable of striking the mainland US

He is set to visit South Korea Nov. 7-8 on his first official tour of the region.

Meanwhile, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is currently in Seoul for annual bilateral talks with his South Korean counterpart. (Yonhap)