USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 28, 2017

August 28, 2017 10:21 AM
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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. 28, 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
49 33 82

Ships Deployed by Fleet

3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 2 25 16 53 96

In the Eastern Pacific

Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Johnathan Domescik salutes an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 as it retrieves cargo from the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during a replenishment-at-sea on Aug. 23,2017. US Navy Photo

Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group continues its Composite Training Unit Exercise in the Fleet Training areas off the coast of San Diego. Besides the carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), the CSG includes 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 (COMPTUEX) is usually the first time all elements of a Strike Group – ships plus air wing – come together in preparation for deployment.

In Singapore

Sailors man the rails as tugboats from Singapore assist the guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) as it steers towards Changi Naval Base on Aug. 21, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Navy has recovered all 10 of the missing sailors following the Aug. 21 collision with guided-missile destroyer USS John McCain (DDG-56) and a chemical tanker near the Strait of Malacca.

In the Indian Ocean

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Esmeralda Hernandez, assigned to the amphibious transport dock ship USS San Diego (LPD-22), directs an UH-1Y Venom helicopter assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced) on the flight deck. US Navy Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have departed Singapore and are steaming west in the Indian Ocean, southwest of India.

Last week, USS America (LHA-6) and 15th MEU provided divers and other support services for John S. McCain recovery and repair efforts in Singapore.

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.

In Melbourne, Australia

USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) transits the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia on Aug. 23, 2017. US Marine Corps Photo

Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit departed the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia, and arrived on Aug. 28 in Melbourne, Australia.

The Marines announced they recovered the remains of the third and final Marine who died in a MV-22 crash off Australia on Aug. 5.

In the Persian Gulf

U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Bill Byrne, commander, Carrier Strike Group 11, greets Army Gen. Joseph Votel, commander, U.S. Central Command, upon his arrival aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Aug. 24, 2017, in the Persian Gulf. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group commenced combat flight operations on 1 Augustconducting anti-ISIS strikes in Syria and Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.

The U.S. Central Command commander, U.S. Army Gen. Joseph Votel, visited USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Aug. 24. The carrier is currently in port in Manama, Bahrain.

In the Gulf of Aqaba

Lance Cpl. Jordan Bowen, left, and Lance Cpl. Kyle Leach swap out batteries on an M1A1 Abrams main battle tank in the vehicle stowage area aboard the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50). Carter Hall, part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. US Navy Photo

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit are in Aqaba, Jordan.

In the Western Atlantic

Naval Aircrewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Clayton Kimbrough rides in an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 during flight operations. US Navy Photo

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is underway conducting training, flight deck certification, and carrier qualifications following the carrier’s just-completed Planned Incremental Availability (PIA).

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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