USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 28, 2018

May 28, 2018 10:26 AM - Updated: July 3, 2018 10:29 AM
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of May 28, 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

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
33 25 58

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 1 1 16 21 48 87

In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Seaman Austin Gillette stands fantail lookout as the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) pulls into port in Souda Bay, Greece. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) got underway on Monday from Souda Bay, Greece after arriving there May 23. Aircraft carrier USS Harry S.Truman (CVN-75) last made a port call at Souda Bay in June 2016.

The U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay has more than 800 permanently assigned personnel (one-third U.S. military, one-third American civilians and contractors and one-third local civilians) from nine tenant commands, including a deployed U.S. Navy Seabee detachment. Year-round U.S. Air Force and Navy operational detachments perform the combined functions of a naval operating base, air station, fueling station and naval weapons station. The Navy’s ports and airfields across the southern Mediterranean – including Rota, Spain; Sigonella, Italy and Souda Bay – are important U.S. forward operating sites for logistics, operations and support.

The Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) deployed from Norfolk on April 11 and began conducting air operating in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) on May 3.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay watch Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) arrive in Souda Bay, Greece for a scheduled port visit on May 23, 2018. US Navy Photo

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

Sailors stand watch on the port bridge wing of the guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) as the ship pulls alongside fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOR-8) for an underway replenishment on May 16, 2018. US Navy Photo

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 Bulkeley (DDG-84), 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.

USS The Sullivans (DDG-68) deployed from Mayport, Fla. on Saturday. The guided-missile destroyer and USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) will join the Truman Carrier Strike Group in theater.

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

US Marines assigned to Fox Company, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit stand watch while transiting through the Suez Canal aboard the Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) on May 16, 2018. US Marine Corps Photo

The dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) and components of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are operating in the Mediterranean after transiting the Suez Canal on May 16.

In the Western Pacific

An MH-60S Sea Hawk of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on May 24, 2018.

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) returned to its Yokosuka homeport on May 17 after completing a week of pre-deployment sea trials.

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is in port in Sasebo, Japan.

In Nha Trang, Vietnam

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class John Colasito and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Elliot Pereira, both assigned to Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) for Pacific Partnership 2018 (PP18), perform traditional music during an Asian American Pacific Islander celebration on May 26, 2018. US Navy Photo

Hospital ship, USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) remains in Vietnam for the mission’s fourth port visit to Nha Trang.

In the Red Sea

Sailors and Marines walk the flight deck during a foreign object damage (FOD) walk down aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) on May 23, 2018. US Navy Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) is operating in the Red Sea. The Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is currently conducting disaggregated operations with some units in the Mediterranean Sea and some in the Red Sea. The ARG’s sailors and Marines recently celebrated the halfway mark of their deployment.

The Iwo Jima ARG with the 26th MEU deployed on Feb. 7 from Mayport, Fla. The 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 (PHIBRON) 4.

Guam

US Navy Photo

Service members and the residents of Guam joined with the National Park Service to commemorate Memorial Day by honoring service members and civilians who died in the Japanese invasion, occupation and United States liberation of Guam during World War II at Asan Beach on May 26, 2018.

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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