USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 18, 2017

September 18, 2017 2:03 PM - Updated: September 25, 2017 11:17 AM
USNI News Image

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. 18, 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 35 85

Ships Deployed by Fleet

3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 1 24 18 51 95

In the Western Pacific

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Kenneth Brown handles an arresting gear wire rope in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Spet. 14, 2017. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway off Japan for training activities following a maintenance availability. Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5) aboard Reagan has completed carrier qualification exercises following a certification that was completed on Sept. 12, 2017.
The head of Combined Task Force 70, Rear Adm. Charles Williams, was removed from command on Monday (Tuesday local time) as part of the ongoing accountability actions following two fatal collisions in the Western Pacific since June.

In Okinawa, Japan

1A Marine, attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (31st MEU), fires an M4 carbine during a live-fire exercise on the starboard aircraft elevator of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6). US Navy Photo

The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group returned to Okinawa, Japan, to offload the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) after a Western Pacific deployment.

In the Gulf of Aden

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 15th MEU are operating in the vicinity of Yemen.

Last week, leaders of the America ARG/MEU met with defense leaders from Djibouti to discuss further defense cooperation.

In the Persian Gulf

Chief Yeoman Kelli Bradshaw has her chief petty officer (CPO) combination cover donned by Senior Chief Aviation Machinist’s Mate Jason Hewitt during a CPO pinning ceremony aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the Persian Gulf on Spet. 15, 2017. US Navy Photo

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 Middle Atlantic

Sailors assigned to the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) talk before a crash and salvage drill on the ship’s flight deck. Carter Hall is deployed with the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group on Sept. 8, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Bataan ARG and 24th MEU are in transit back to the United States after stops in the Mediterranean Sea. They will return home to the East Coast by the end of September.

In the Western Atlantic and the Caribbean Sea

USS Wasp (LHD-1) transits the Caribbean Sea on Sept. 16, 2017. US Navy Photo

Amphibious assault warships USS Wasp (LHD-1) and USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51), and the Marines of the 26th MEU, are still providing humanitarian relief efforts after Hurricane Irma.

“Wasp, the first Navy platform to arrive in the vicinity of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is providing medium- and heavy-lift helicopters to transport people and supplies. Wasp’s helicopters are conducting medical evacuations for intensive care patients from St. Thomas to St. Croix and conducting site assessments on the initial damage in St. Thomas,” read a release from U.S. Fleet Forces.
“Wasp departed for Sasebo, Japan, on Aug. 30 to assume duties as the forward-deployed flagship of the amphibious force of the U.S. 7th Fleet. The ship was conducting its transit and was redirected to assist with relief efforts.”

A bulldozer is on loaded onto landing craft unit 1656, assigned to assault craft unit 2, from the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) on Sept. 16, 2017. DoD Photo

Kearsarge and Oak Hill left Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on Aug. 31 to support relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and then to support efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma.

“The combined aircraft on all three ships include three UH-1Y Marine utility helicopters, three CH-53E Marine heavy-lift helicopters, five MV-22 Marine tiltrotor aircraft and nine MH-60S Navy medium-lift helicopters,” read the statement.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) returned to Norfolk, Va. on Sept. 15, after participating in Hurricane Irma relief.

In the Strait of Florida

Sailors assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) move food that will be distributed as part of humanitarian relief efforts following Hurricane Irma’s landfall in Key West, Fla. on Sept. 15, 2017. US Navy Photo

USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS New York (LPD-21), USS Farragut (DDG-99), and Marines from the 26th MEU, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing and II Marine Expeditionary Force are providing hurricane relief in the Florida Keys.

The combined aircraft on all four ships are three CH-53E Marine heavy-lift helicopters and 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 assistance to 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.

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.
Follow @samlagrone

Get USNI News updates delivered to your inbox