USNI News-CNA Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 27, 2017

November 27, 2017 2:18 PM
USNI News Photo

The USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker is sponsored by CNA.
These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Nov. 27, 2017, based on Navy and public data. 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:

279

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
44 13 57

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 1 1 16 15 59 92

In the Western Pacific

Sailors gather for a memorial service in honor of Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri, Lt. Steven Combs and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso in the hangar bay of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Nov. 26. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group continues to operate off Okinawa, Japan.

On Sunday, the strike group held a memorial service for three sailors — Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Matthew Chialastri, Lt. Steven Combs and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso — who are presumed dead after the crash of a C-2A Greyhound transport aircraft on Wednesday.

“The C-2A was assigned to the ‘Providers’ of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30, Detachment Five, forward-deployed to NAF Atsugi, Japan,” read a release from U.S. 7th Fleet.
“There were eleven crew and passengers aboard a C-2A Greyhound of VRC-30 when it crashed into the ocean approximately 500 nautical miles southeast of Okinawa, Nov. 22. Eight were immediately recovered.”

(left to right) Lt. Steven Combs, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equpiment) Airman Matthew Chialastri, Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Bryan Grosso.

The aircraft was conducting a routine transport flight, carrying passengers and cargo from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, to USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76).

Carrier Strike Group 5

Aircraft carrier:
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Yokosuka, Japan
Carrier Air Wing 5:
CVW-5 is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Tiger Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Station Atsugi, Japan

Destroyer Squadron 15
DESRON 15 leadership is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and commands the strike group’s guided-missile destroyers. Reagan is embarked with part of the squadron which also deploys for other missions in the region.

  • USS Stethem (DDG-63), Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Yokosuka, Japan
  • USS Mustin (DDG-89), Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Yokosuka, Japan

Guided-missile Cruiser
USS Shiloh (CG-67), Forward Deployed Naval Forces, Yokosuka, Japan

In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Sailors render honors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), as the ship passes the USS Arizona Memorial at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Nov. 21, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group entered Pearl Harbor on Saturday morning. It is usual for carriers to do a brief stop in Pearl Harbor to allow sailors’ and Marines’ family and friends aboard to ride the ship back to the West Coast as part of a “Tiger Cruise.”

Carrier Strike Group 11

Ensign Nathan Bailey stands watch on the bridge of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59). US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier:
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) homeported at Naval Station Kitsap-Bremerton, Wash.

Carrier Air Wing 11

CVW 11 is embarked aboard Nimitz and includes nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Argonauts” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 147 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Black Knights” of VFA-154 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Death Rattlers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar San Diego, Calif.
  • The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Blue Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 9
The leadership of DESRON 9 is embarked aboard Nimitz and commands the CSG’s guided-missile destroyers.

  • USS Shoup (DDG-86) homeported in Everett, Wash.
  • USS Kidd (DDG-100) homeported in Everett, Wash.
  • USS Howard (DDG-83) homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Pinckney (DDG-91) homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Guided-Missile Cruiser
USS Princeton (CG-59) homeported in San Diego, Calif.

In the Indian Ocean

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Lorelei Jones hangs an ornament on a Christmas tree aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Nov. 25, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is nearing U.S. 5th Fleet and U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. The Roosevelt CSG will transit to the Persian Gulf to conduct air and maritime security operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S.-led anti-ISIS coalition.

Carrier Strike Group 9

An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 approaches the flight deck of the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE-6) during a replenishment-at-sea with the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-76). US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier:
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 17
CVW 17 is embarked aboard Theodore Roosevelt and includes nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 113 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Redcocks” of VFA-22 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Checkerboards” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 312 from Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, S.C.
  • The “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Sun Kings” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116 from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Battlecats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23
The leadership of DESRON 23 is embarked aboard Theodore Roosevelt and commands the CSG’s guided-missile destroyers.

  • USS Sampson (DDG-102) homeported in Everett, Wash.
  • USS Preble (DDG-88) homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
  • USS Halsey (DDG-97) homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Guided-missile Cruiser
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) homeported in San Diego, Calif.

In the Persian Gulf

Secretary of the Navy Richard V. Spencer, center right, with his wife, Sarah Pauline Spencer, and the crew aboard The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG-70), record a spirit spot for the 2017 Army-Navy game during the Spencers’ visit to the ship on Thanksgiving Day. US Navy Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 3 are operating in the Persian Gulf.

Secretary of the Navy Richard Spencer joined sailors and Marines aboard the San Diego-based amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) to celebrate Thanksgiving in the Persian Gulf.

“As a mom, I wish I could hug you all and say happy Thanksgiving,” his wife, Polly Spencer, said according to press reports.

During his service in the Marine Corps, Spencer served as an H-46 pilot with Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 161, the Marine Corps’ first tactical helicopter squadron. VMM-161, now an MV-22B Osprey squadron, is currently embarked aboard America.

Other ships in the Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) are amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52) and amphibious transport dock USS San Diego (LPD-22).

Units deployed with the ARG/MEU include Helicopter Sea Squadron 23; and detachments from Naval Beach Group 1, Assault Craft Unit 5, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 1 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, according to Third Fleet. The 15th MEU includes an air combat element led by Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 161 (Reinforced); a ground combat element led by Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; and Combat Logistics Battalion 15.

In the Western Atlantic

Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26th MEU) scan the horizon for surface contacts during a simulated strait transit aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). The ship and its Amphibious Ready Group, with the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (26 MEU), are conducting a combined composite training unit exercise that is the culmination of training for the Navy-Marine Corps team and will certify them for deployment. US Navy photo.

USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) remains underway conducting a Combined Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) with Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

In the South Atlantic

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Trayveon Barnes stands watch aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) during a replenishment-at-sea. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) is steaming around South America on its trek toward the Pacific Ocean. Wasp will join the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Japan and serve as the first FDNF ship capable of operating the F-35.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are thousands of others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Coast Guard cutters and more serving throughout the globe.

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