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. 11, 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 |
| 50 | 36 | 86 |
Ships Deployed by Fleet
| 3rd Fleet | 4th Fleet | 5th Fleet | 6th Fleet | 7th Fleet | Total |
| 1 | 2 | 25 | 21 | 52 | 101 |
In the Western Pacific
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway off Japan for training activities following a maintenance availability.
In the Bismarck Sea
The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group with 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit departed Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 3. The group will transit the Bismarck Sea, off the coast of Papua New Guinea, before heading north to Japan.
The Bismarck Sea is named in honor of the German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. The Bismarck Archipelago extends around to the east and north of the sea, enclosing the Bismarck Sea and separating it from the Southern Pacific Ocean. It was the site of a major World War II naval battle, the Battle of the Bismarck Sea, from March 2 to 4, 1943.
In the Eastern Pacific
After conducting flight deck certification, carrier qualification, and training in the operations areas off of San Diego, USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is headed north to her homeport at Naval Base Kitsap, Wash. Naval Base Kitsap is a Navy base created in 2004 by merging the former Naval Station Bremerton with Naval Submarine Base Bangor.
In Singapore
USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) remains in Singapore. Rear Adm. Richard Brown, commander of Naval Personnel Command and Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel, is conducting a dual admiralty and Judge Advocate General Manual (JAGMAN) investigation into the Aug. 21 collision between John S. McCain and the Liberian-flagged chemical tanker Alnic MC.
McCain will be lifted to Japan under a Navy contract with SMIT Salvage by the end of September.
In the Red Sea/Gulf of Aden
The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are operating in the vicinity of Yemen.
In the Persian Gulf
The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commenced combat flight operations on Aug. 1, conducting anti-ISIS strikes in Syria and Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
In the Mediterranean
The Bataan ARG and the 24th MEU are in port in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. They will return home to the East Coast by the end of September.
On Sept. 6, U.S. Africa Command commander Gen. Thomas Waldhauser visited USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), part of the Bataan ARG.
In the Western Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea
USS Wasp (LHD-1) left Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday 30 August for Sasebo, Japan, where the amphibious assault ship will be the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious force of the U.S. 7th Fleet.
This homeport shift will provide the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Japan an F-35B Joint Strike Fighter-capable amphibious assault. Wasp will operate with the F-35Bs of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 (VMFA-121).
Hurricane Irma Response
On its way to its new homeport, Wasp is evacuating patients from the U.S. Virgin Islands, while amphibious warships USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) with 26th MEU and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff are assisting in recovery efforts.
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and other ships are underway and ready to conduct Hurricane Irma relief as required. Abraham Lincoln got underway from Norfolk on Friday without its full air wing. The aircraft carrier instead is loaded with additional helicopters to help with rescues and delivering supplies.
USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) and USS New York (LPD-21) departed Mayport, Fla., on Tuesday and loaded more than 300 Marines and sailors from the 26th MEU, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force. The aircraft include three CH-53E Marine Heavy Lift Helicopters, 10 MH-60S and 14 MH-60R Navy Medium Lift Helicopters. The ships can provide medical support, security, logistic support, medium and heavy lift air support, and can assist state and federal agencies assessing damage.
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.
Sept. 11, 2017
The following is a brief documentary by the Navy on the origin of the amphibious warship USS Somerset (LPD-23), named after the passengers of United Flight 93.
