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 April 30, 2018, 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:

283

Ships Underway

Ships Deployed by Fleet

In the Mediterranean Sea

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG), which deployed from Norfolk on April 11, passed through the Strait of Gibraltar on April 27. Just prior to entering the Strait of Gibraltar, the Group “completed Lightning Handshake 2018 with its long-time African partner Morocco. During the week-long exercise, U.S. and Morocco reinforced its ability to operate together in a wide spectrum of missions, including maritime security operations,” according to the Navy.

The CSG is scheduled to operate in both the U.S. 6th Fleet and U.S. 5th Fleet areas of responsibility while deployed.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Aircraft carrier:
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 1

CVW 1 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Harry S. Truman and includes nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Checkmates” of VFA-211 from Naval Air Station Oceania, Va.
• The “Sunliners” of VFA-81 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Knighthawks” of VFA-136 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Seahawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Dragon Slayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM 72) from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Destroyer Squadron 28

The leadership of DESRON 28 is embarked aboard Harry S. Truman and commands the CSG’s guided-missile destroyers.

• USS Farragut (DDG-99), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
• USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
• USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

The Sachsen-class German frigate FGS Hessen (F 221) is also operating as part of the strike group during the first half of the deployment.

Guided-missile destroyers USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) and USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) are slated to deploy at a later date and will join the strike group in theater.

Guided-missile Cruiser
USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Western Pacific

Forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan. The carrier completed its Selected Restricted Availability for maintenance and is preparing to go to sea.

“The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) returned to Sasebo, April 26, after nearly two months of operations in the Indo-Pacific with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU),” according to the Navy.
“Wasp successfully embarked, maintained and supported near-daily flight operations of the F-35B Lightning II in that span, part of a first-ever operational deployment of the U.S. Marine Corp’s fifth-generation stealth jet.”

The operations were part of a routine and regularly scheduled patrol. Part of the patrol also included two San Diego-based destroyers, which added to the typical Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) formation to create an Up-Gunned Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG).

The Wasp ESG included Wasp, dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48), amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD-20), and San Diego-based guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG-104) and USS Dewey (DDG-105).

Wasp arrived in Sasebo in January 2018 after transiting from Norfolk, Va., as part of a shift in forward-deployed assets to replace the amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) as the Amphibious Force 7th Fleet flagship.

In the Indian Ocean

Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) arrived in Trincomolee, Sri Lanka, on April 25.

“The mission in Trincomalee will continue through May 8 and will feature Pacific Partnership doctors and medical personnel working side-by-side with Sri Lankan medical professionals to exchange best practices,” according to the Navy.
“Additionally, U.S. and partner nation service members will join their Sri Lankan counterparts in civil engineering projects, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) readiness seminars, and public outreach engagements throughout the local community.”

In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Amphibious assault ship USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD-6) left Sasebo, Japan, on April 18 and arrived in Pearl Harbor on April 27.

“The ship is transiting to San Diego where it will conduct operations in 3rd Fleet prior to entering an extended maintenance availability, including upgrades and modernization to operate the F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft,” according to the service.

Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, the guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG-102) arrived at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, for a regularly scheduled port call on April 27. Guided-missile destroyer USS Preble (DDG-88) returned to its homeport of Pearl Harbor. USS Halsey (DDG-97), the remaining destroyer in the strike group, has remained behind in U.S. 7th Fleet and is participating in Exercise Guardian Sea with the Royal Thai Navy.

Hawaii is the final port call for the ships of the Theodore Roosevelt CSG after a scheduled seven-month deployment to the 5th Fleet and 7th Fleet areas of operation supporting maritime security, theater security cooperation and Operations Inherent Resolve and Freedom’s Sentinel.

This will likely be a short stop in Pearl Harbor to embark Tigers – friends and family of the crew that will join them for the last leg of the journey – and then the CSG will continue toward San Diego.

Carrier Strike Group 9

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 Red Sea

Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) and components of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit completed military exercise Eager Lion 2018.

The Iwo Jima ARG, with the 26th MEU embarked, deployed Feb. 7 from Mayport, Fla. The Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) includes Iwo Jima, Oak Hill, amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD-21), Fleet Surgical Team (FST) 8 and FST-4, Helicopter Sea Combat squadron (HSC) 28, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 22, components of Naval Beach Group (NBG) 2 and the embarked staff of Amphibious Squadron 4.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Essex (LHD-2) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

“The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th MEU integrated to conduct the second major exercise of their pre-deployment training. ARG, MEU Exercise (ARGMEUEX) provides essential and realistic ship-to-shore training, designed to enhance the integration of the Navy-Marine Corps team. ARGMEUEX provides an opportunity to integrate unique individual and unit skills and develop the Essex ARG and 13th MEU’s collective proficiency in challenging and unfamiliar environments,” according to the Marines.

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) includes Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1, USS Essex (LHD-2), USS Anchorage (LPD-23), and USS Rushmore (LSD 47). They operate with embarked forces representing elements of the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211 (VFMA 211).

In the Western Atlantic

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) departed New Orleans on April 25 after serving as the centerpiece ship of Navy Week New Orleans 2018. The ship is now in port at Port Everglades, Fla.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) got underway on April 24 from Norfolk and is training in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas.