USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 5, 2017

December 5, 2017 9:49 AM - Updated: December 11, 2017 11:06 AM

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 Dec. 5, 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
41 33 74

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 1 1 23 16 50 91

Yokosuka, Japan

Senior Chief Electricians Mate Jaime Herrera, assigned to the forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), holds his son after returning from patrol on Dec. 4, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group has returned from a three-month deployment in the Western Pacific to its homeport in Yokosuka.

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

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Kenji Kimura, center, from Walnut, Calif., presents a flight deck plotting board to a group motorsport champions during a tour of the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) on Dec. 4, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Bonhomme Richard Expeditionary Strike Group is currently in port in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Eastern Pacific

U.S. Navy Sailors and Marines aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), man the rails as the ship exits Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Nov. 29, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group is en route to San Diego, Calif. and is set to arrive later on Tuesday. Nimitz will make a brief stop in San Diego to offload personnel and equipment and then resume its transit home to Bremerton, Wash. The ship conducted a “Tiger Cruise” on its way to the West Coast in which families ride the ship back with the crew for the last part of the deployment.

Carrier Strike Group 11

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 Persian Gulf

Sailors give the ready for launch signal on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Dec. 1, 2017. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has arrived in the Persian Gulf – filling a gap left by the departure of the Nimitz CSG in late October. The CSG commenced air strikes in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on Dec. 1.

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.

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

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

In the Western Atlantic

The rifle detail bow their heads in prayer during a Burial at Sea ceremony held on the starboard aircraft elevator of the amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7). 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.

Carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is underway for training off the East Coast.

In the Southern Atlantic

CWO4 James Randall describes features of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) to local media in Brazil. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Nov. 30 and departed Dec. 3.
Wasp is transiting to Sasebo, Japan to conduct a homeport shift with USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) as the flagship of amphibious forces in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations,” according to the Navy.

When Wasp joins the Forward Deployed Naval Forces in Japan, she will be the first FDNF ship capable of operating the F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter.

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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