USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 15, 2024

April 15, 2024 2:48 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 April 15, 2024, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Ships Underway

Total Battle Force Deployed Underway
294
(USS 234, USNS 60)
93
(USS 63, USNS 30)
57
(39 Deployed, 18 Local)

In Japan

Navy Counselor 1st Class Carlos Grajales from Holyoke, Mass., establishes communication from a repair locker using a sound-powered phone during a general quarters drill aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), while in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, April 9. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka. The carrier is set to depart for a repair availability in Washington state later this year. USS George Washington (CVN-73) will replace Reagan in Japan. USS America (LHA-6) is in port Sasebo.

In the East China Sea

U.S. Sailors heave around the phone and distance line during a fueling-at-sea aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), April 15, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway in the East China Sea.

The carrier has been using older C-2A Greyhounds as a temporary carrier-onboard delivery vehicle while the CMV-22B fleet was grounded following the November crash of an Air Force MV-22B Osprey off the coast of Japan.

Earlier this month, the grounding of the Ospreys was lifted, and the Navy has begun recertifying crews and aircraft for the logistics operations.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

  • The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Black Knights” of VFA 154 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Blue Blasters” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Flying Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station, Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser
USS Lake Erie (CG-70), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) sails in formation with the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Daniel Inouye (DDG -118) during a trilateral exercise, April 11, 2024. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.

  • USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
  • USS Halsey (DDG-97), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the Pacific

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer First Class Jessica Kirk, a U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) yeoman, is reunited with her family on the pier at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in Honolulu, Hawaii, after a 79-day Operation Blue Pacific patrol, April 9, 2024. US Coast Guard Photo

USCGC Harriet Lane (WMEC-903) returned to Hawaii Tuesday after completing a 79-day patrol in support of Coast Guard District Fourteen’s Operation Blue Pacific in Oceania. 

In the Eastern Mediterranean

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Carney (DDG-64) transits the Suez Canal, April 6. US Navy Photo

USS Carney (DDG-64) and USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) shot down between four and six Iranian-launched ballistic missiles, a senior military official told reporters Sunday.

Both ships were in the Mediterranean. Carney most recently had made a port visit to Palermo, Sicily, Italy, on April 10. Arleigh Burke is forward deployed to Rota, Spain.

U.S. Central and European commands shot down more than 80 one-way attack uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs), in addition to the ballistic missiles, Central Command said in a release. The UAVs were launched from Iran and Yemen.

In the Red Sea

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Rampagers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 83, launches off of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Red Sea, March 29, 2024. US Navy Photo

U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect ships moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel.

As of Monday, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was operating in the Red Sea.

Ike deployed on Oct. 14, while several of the carrier’s escorts left on Oct. 13. The carrier transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28 and transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 4. The ship’s deployment was extended by order of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin late last month, a defense official confirmed to USNI news.

The U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Carrier
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

An Aviation Electronics Technician, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74, troubleshoots an electronic support measure in the cockpit of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) in the Red Sea, April 9. US Navy Photo
  • The “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA 32 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
  • The “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
  • The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 – MH-60S – from Naval Station Norfolk.

Cruiser
USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 22

Two Operations Specialists, front, and a Fire Controlman (Aegis) simulate combating an aircraft fire during a crash and salvage team drill aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) in the Red Sea, April 9. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.

  • USS Gravely (DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

On Thursday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed one anti-ship ballistic missile launched by the Houthis over the Red Sea.

On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces shot down three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles. The Houthis launched two of the drones over the Gulf of Aden, while the other one was over the Red Sea. CENTCOM forces also destroyed eight UAVs in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

On Tuesday, USS Mason (DDG-87) and CENTCOM forces destroyed one inbound Houthi anti-ship ballistic missile over the Gulf of Aden.

The ASBM was likely targeting the MV Yorktown, a U.S.-flagged, U.S.-owned vessel being escorted by USS Laboon (DDG-58) and USS Mason.

On Monday, USCENTCOM forces destroyed an air defense system with two missiles ready to launch and a ground control station in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen while also shooting down one unmanned aerial system.

In the Gulf of Aden

On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces shot down three Houthi unmanned aerial vehicles. Two drones were launched over the Gulf of Aden and one UAV was launched over the Red Sea.

On Sunday, the Houthis launched an anti-ship ballistic missile toward the Gulf of Aden where a coalition ship was escorting MV Hope Island, a Marshall Islands-flagged, U.K.-owned, Italian-operated cargo ship. This was the fifth observed missile launch against the unnamed coalition ship and MV Hope Island.

In the Persian Gulf

U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships with U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Boxer (LHD-4) coming into San Diego on April 11, 2024. San Diego Webcam Photo

USCGC Bertholf (WMSL-750) is inport Alameda, Calif.

The amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) returned to San Diego, Calif., on Thursday, delaying her deployment after suffering a casualty, USNI News reported.

In the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic

USAV SP4 (LSV-6) underway on the James River on March 12, 2024. USNI News Photo

The ships carrying pieces to build a humanitarian aid pier in Gaza are in the midst of their journey across the Atlantic with some now operating in the Mediterranian Sea.

Five U.S. Army watercraft and a Marine Administration ready reserve transport ship are underway headed to the Eastern Mediterranean. USAV General Frank S. Benson (LSV-1) left Joint Base Langley-Eustis on March 9 and transited the Strait of Gibraltar last week. It was in port in Crete, as of Monday, according to ship spotters. In addition, USAV

As of Monday, USAV Montorrey (LCU-2030), USAV Matamoros (LCU-2026) were in port in Crete, while USAV SP4 James A. Loux (LSV-6) was sailing west near the island. USAV Wilson Wharf (LCU-2011) was in the Eastern Atlantic off the coast of North Africa, not yet in the Mediterranean Sea. The MARAD ship MV Roy P. Benavidez (TAKR-306) left on March 21 with the majority of the modular causeway pieces for the pier loaded aboard. As of Monday, Benavidez was near Crete.

From the East Coast, Military Sealift Command ships USNS 1st Lt. Baldomero Lopez (T-AK-3010) and USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (TAK-3008) were transporting parts of Naval Beach Group One’s similar floating pier system to operate in tandem with the Army’s system.

Lopez was sailing off North Africa in the Mediterranean, and Bobo was still off the East Coast.

The general concept will have the Army build a pier that will be anchored to the shore in Gaza with no U.S. personnel setting foot in Israel. The Navy will build a transfer point two to three miles offshore where cargo – likely originating in Cyprus – will be transferred to the Army watercraft to be taken to the pier.

Based on the initial timelines, the pier could be completed by mid-May.

In the Western Atlantic

The sun rises over the USS Wasp (LHD-1) while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, April 12, 2024. US Marine Corps Photo

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is off the coast of North Carolina.

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) returned to Norfolk, Va., on Friday, according to ship spotters. The carrier will deploy to the U.S. Southern Command area of operations over the next few months as part of U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet’s Southern Seas 2024 deployment.

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) departed Norfolk, Va., on Wednesday, according to ship spotters.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.

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