USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 15, 2018

October 15, 2018 12:47 PM
USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Oct. 15, 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:

286

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
50 35 85

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 0 0 17 27 52 96

In the Western Pacific

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) pulls in to port at the Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy base in Jeju. Ronald Reagan on Oct. 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway off of Japan. Last week, the strike group participated in the International Fleet Review off of Korea. As part of the review, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) called at the South Korean port of Jeju.

Carrier Air Wing 5 is embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) – and several other FDNF ships – are also underway with Reagan.

Carrier Air Wing 5

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) pulls into Jeju Island, Republic of Korea for a port visit on Oct. 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

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
Sailors aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) prepare to man the rails as the ship makes it arrival at Singapore on Oct. 2, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are underway in the South China Sea. The ARG arrived in Singapore on Oct. 2 after China denied a request for Wasp to make a port call in Hong Kong. They departed Oct. 7.

The ESG includes the amphibious warships USS Green Bay (LPD-20) and USS Ashland (LSD-48).

In Doha, Qatar

Cpl. Derek Solano, assigned to Battalion Landing Team 3/1, stands small craft assault team watch aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) while transiting the Strait of Hormuz on Oct. 10, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) – comprising Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47) – and embarked 13th MEU are in the Persian Gulf. Essex moored at Doha, Qatar on Oct. 14.

The ARG has been operating in a disaggregated fashion. Anchorage has been operating in the Mediterranean Sea in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility while Essex and Rushmore have been operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

In the Eastern Pacific

Seaman Zachary Greco, from Center, Pennsylvania, handles line aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) on Sept. 2, 2018. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is underway. USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) and its strike group completed its Composite Training Unit Exercise in August and returned to Bremerton, Wash. on Sept. 12. It is expected the CSG will head south to San Diego, Calif. — embarking Carrier Air Wing 9 en route – to conduct a Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) in the San Diego Operating Areas. JTFEX is the last step in the CSG training cycle prior to deployment.

The CSG includes Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG 53) and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Aircraft carrier:
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) homeported in Bremerton, Wash.

Carrier Air Wing 9

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, with Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, makes its approach to the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) on Sept. 4, 2018. US Navy Photo

CVW 9, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. is embarked aboard John C. Stennis and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Tophatters” of VFA-14 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Warhawks” of VFA-97 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Vigilantes” of VFA-151 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Golden Hawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 112 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 21

The leadership of DESRON 21 is embarked aboard John C. Stennis and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

  • USS Stockdale (DDG-106), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Guided-missile Cruiser

USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

A landing craft, air cushion (LCAC), assigned to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 5, approaches amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) during well deck operations on Oct. 10, 2018. US NAvy Photo

USS Boxer (LHD-4) is underway for training in the Southern California Operating Areas off of San Diego. USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is also underway off of California.

In the North Sea

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenburg, center, Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Gen. Mike Scaparotti, left, and Commander, Carrier Strike Group 8, Rear Adm. Gene Black observe flight operations on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Oct. 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) arrived in Portsmouth, England on Oct. 7 and departed Oct. 11. Truman CSG is en route Exercise Trident Juncture.

“The upcoming Trident Juncture 2018 exercise will be the first opportunity to test out the premise of NATO’s new ‘Four Thirties’ initiative – the idea that NATO may need to move a lot of people and platforms quickly to defend an ally whose sovereignty has been violated, reported USNI News earlier this month.

Carrier Strike Group 8

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) departs Portsmouth, England on Oct. 10, 2018. US Navy Photo

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

Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG-99) rig equipment to be sent over to the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO-195) on Oct. 4, 2018. US Navy Photo

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.

In the North Atlantic

Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Sacco, communicates to the pilot house the distance of fleet replenishment oiler USNS John Lenthall (T-AO-189) aboard USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) while conducting a resupply at sea on Oct. 6 prior to embarking to Exercise Trident Juncture 18. US Marine Corps Photo

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is now in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility – sailing to Norway for Exercise Trident Juncture 2018. Events during Trident Juncture will provide the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit opportunities to train as a Marine Air Ground Task Force in unique environments in support of allied partner nations. The Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), includes the transport dock ship USS New York (LPD-21), the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).

In the Western Atlantic

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is underway off the Virginia Capes. Kearsarge fired a RIM-7P missile is from her NATO Sea Sparrow missile launcher during a live-fire exercise (see video below). Kearsarge is underway for amphibious ready group training and deployment certifications.

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.

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