The USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker is sponsored by CNA. These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Sept. 10, 2018, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the map reflects the location of the capital ship.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:

285

Ships Underway

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Naval Station Norfolk, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek

Ships and sailors at Naval Station Norfolk and Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek are preparing to head to sea to avoid the effects of Hurricane Florence, reported USNI News on Monday. U.S. Fleet Forces is preparing to sortie nearly 30 ships from the two naval bases.

“Ships will be directed to areas of the Atlantic where they will be best postured for storm avoidance,” read the statement. “Some units will not get underway due to maintenance status but will be taking extra precautions to avoid potential damage. Commanding officers have a number of options when staying in port, depending on the severity of the weather. Some of these options include adding additional mooring and storm lines, dropping the anchor, and disconnecting shore power cables.”

The Carolinas and Virginia have declared a state of emergency ahead of the hurricane’s landfall.

“Florence is expected to become a strong Category 4 hurricane — nearly a Category 5 — just prior to landfall somewhere on the Southeast or Mid-Atlantic Coast on Thursday night,” reported The Washington Post on Monday.

Amphibious warship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is set to arrive in Hampton Roads on Monday to take on helicopters and supplies to support civil authorities in disaster relief operations.

In the Western Pacific

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Philippine Sea. Carrier Air Wing Five is embarked.

Carrier Air Wing 5

CVW 5, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Tiger Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
• The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
• The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), along with the transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD-20), dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48) and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) continue to operate in the Philippine Sea.

In the Gulf of Aden

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group and the 13th Martine Expeditionary Unit are participating in a two-week long Theater Counter-Mine and Maritime Security Exercise that includes an amphibious exercise off the coast of Djibouti on the Horn of Africa.

“Approximately 4,500 U.S. Marines and sailors will participate in the integrated amphibious training, which will include simulated air defense training, mine countermeasure training, quick-reaction force drills, deck landing qualifications, tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel rehearsals as well as visit, board, search and seizure exercises,” according to the Navy.
“The Essex Amphibious Ready Group comprised of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23), Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47) and embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are scheduled to participate.”

The Essex ARG left San Diego on July 10 for an expected Western Pacific and Middle East deployment. The ARG deployed with a squadron of Marine F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters from the “Wake Island Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) – currently homeported in Bremerton, Wash., is underway in the Southern California (SOCAL) Operating Areas conducting pre-deployment training. Carrier Air Wing 9 is embarked.

In the Western Atlantic

The Harry S Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Atlantic and conducting sustainment training. Carrier Air Wing One is embarked.

The strike group is exercising with the Royal Canadian Navy for a series of anti-submarine warfare exercises before heading to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

In late July, the strike group returned three months early from its planned deployment. On the strike group’s return, the Navy said, “the National Defense Strategy directs us to be operationally unpredictable while remaining strategically predictable. As such, select units from the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) Carrier Strike Group (CSG) will return to Norfolk, Virginia, this week – a direct reflection of the dynamic force employment concept and the inherent maneuverability and flexibility of the U.S. Navy.”

Carrier Strike Group 8

Aircraft carrier:
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 1

CVW 1 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Harry S. Truman and includes nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Checkmates” of VFA-211 from Naval Air Station Oceania, Va.
• The “Sunliners” of VFA-81 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Knighthawks” of VFA-136 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Seahawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Dragon Slayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM 72) from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Destroyer Squadron 28

The leadership of DESRON 28 is embarked aboard Harry S. Truman and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

• USS Farragut (DDG-99), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
• USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
• USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Guided-missile Cruiser

USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

The units of Kearsarge ARG are underway, conducting a pre-deployment exercise. The units left their homeports for an ARG/MEU exercise Aug. 21 to 22.

The Kearsarge ARG is made up of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6, USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Arlington (LPD-24), USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) and Marines from the 22nd MEU.

Kearsarge is set to arrive at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on Monday to take on supplies and helicopters for a potential Defense Support for Civil Authorities (DSCA) mission following landfall of Hurricane Florence.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are thousands of others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Coast Guard cutters and more serving throughout the globe.