USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 14, 2017

August 14, 2017 10:08 AM - Updated: August 14, 2017 3:24 PM
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Aug. 14, 2017. 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:

276

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
58 32 90

Ships Deployed by Fleet

3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 2 24 22 53 102

In the Western Pacific

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) Airman Justen Turner reunites with his wife during the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan’s (CVN 76) homecoming to Fleet Activities Yokosuka on Aug. 9, 2017. US Navy Photo

Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group has returned to port in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Eastern Pacific

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Ryan Johnson, assigned to the Mighty Shrikes of Strike Fighter Attack Squadron (VFA) 94, inspects the under panels of an F/A-18F Super Hornet for corrosion in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Aug. 7, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group continues its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) in the fleet training areas off of San Diego. Along with USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), the CSG includes the Carrier Air Wing 17, cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), and the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers USS Halsey (DDG-97), USS Higgins (DDG-76), USS Preble (DDG-88) and USS Sampson (DDG-102).

The Composite Training Unit Exercise is usually the first time all elements of a Strike Group – ships plus air wing – come together in preparation for deployment.

In the South China Sea

QM2 Taylor Nichols, assigned to the amphibipus assault ship USS America (LHA-6), monitors the ship’s course on the bridge on Aug. 10, 2017. US Navy Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) departed Singapore on Aug. 9 and arrived today in Sepanggar Bay, Malaysia – The Royal Malaysian Navy’s base in Borneo. The visit is planned to last four days.

The America ARG, commanded by Commander Amphibious Squadron 3, consists of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), the amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD-22), and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52). They will operate with embarked forces of the 15th MEU, the “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23, and detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 1 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.

The 15th MEU is a Marine Air-Ground Task Force comprised of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; an aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced); and a combat logistics element, Combat Logistics Battalion 15.

On Aug. 10, 2017, destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) conducted a freedom of navigation operation past the Chinese artificial island built on Mischief Reef off the coast of the Philippines.

In the Coral Sea

The Marines and Sailors of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) Expeditionary Strike Group joined together to honor and remember 1st Lt. Benjamin Cross, Cpl. Nathaniel Ordway and Pfc. Ruben Velasco during a moving sunset memorial aboard the Bonhomme Richard, Aug. 9, 2017. US Marine Corps Photo

The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group with 31st MEU honored the three Marines lost on Aug. 5. Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Robert Neller visited the 31st MEU and addressed his Marines on Aug. 8.

In the Persian Gulf

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 following a crash landing at the Bahrain International Airport. Image via Twitter

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group commenced combat flight operations in early August, conducting anti-ISIS strikes in Syria and Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

On Aug. 8, an Iranian drone interfered with U.S. Navy flight operations.

On Aug.12, an F/A-18E Super Hornet from USS Nimitz (CVN-68) experienced engine failure and attempted to land at the Bahraini air base at Sheik Isa. Unable to make it to Isa, the pilot landed at Bahrain International Airport. The pilot ejected safely as the plane departed the runway. Sheik Isa was opened right before the Gulf War in 1990 and hosted over 200 U.S. aircraft during the Gulf War.

In the Gulf of Aden/Red Sea

A landing signalman enlisted watches as an AV-8B Harrier land on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) on Aug. 7, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th MEU is operating off Yemen, after arriving in theater in March.

Bataan ARG and 24th MEU are due to return home to Norfolk in September.

In the Middle Atlantic

Sailors aboard USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) recover helicopters during exercise Saxon Warrior 2017 on Aug. 8, 2017. US Navy Photo

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group completed Exercise Saxon Warrior 17 and is headed to Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

The Carrier Strike Group consists of the flagship USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) with embarked staffs of Carrier Strike Group 2, Carrier Air Wing 8, Destroyer Squadron 22, and the squadrons of CVW-8; guided-missile cruisers USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) and USS Hue City (CG-66); and Destroyer Squadron 22’s guided-missile destroyers USS Laboon (DDG-58) and USS Truxtun (DDG-103).

In the Western Atlantic

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer addresses the crew of the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) during an all-hands call in the ship’s hangar bay on Aug. 10, 2017. US Navy Photo

USS Gerald R. Ford  (CVN-78) is underway off Norfolk conducting training and testing. On Aug 10, Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer visited the ship while it was underway.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are thousands of others sailors and Marines serving aboard submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEAL teams, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces and other units around the globe.

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone

Sam LaGrone is the editor of USNI News. He has covered legislation, acquisition and operations for the Sea Services since 2009 and spent time underway with the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Canadian Navy.
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