USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 18, 2018

June 18, 2018 10:39 AM - Updated: July 3, 2018 10:26 AM
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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 June 18, 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:

284

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
46 29 75

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 1 0 15 24 47 88

In the Mediterranean Sea

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Cedric Johnson stands watch aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on June 11, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is conducting anti-ISIS flight operations in support of Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR) over Syria.

Carrier Strike Group 8

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 prepares to launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on June 11, 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

Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Electrical) 2nd Class Hillary Geary performs maintenance on an engine in a main machinery room aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) on June 13, 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 May 26, and USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109) deployed from its Norfolk, Va., homeport on June 2. The two destroyers will join the Truman CSG in theater.

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

In the Baltic Sea and Kiel, Germany

The U.S. 6th Fleet flagship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), guided-missile destroyers USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) and USS James E. Williams (DDG-95), dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) and components of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed the 46th iteration of Exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) on June 15.

“During the two-week BALTOPS exercise, over 100 drills in surface, subsurface, air defense, mine countermeasures, maritime interdictions, and joint personnel recovery were completed among the 43 maritime units, 60 aircraft, and approximately 5,000 maritime, ground and air force personnel,” according to the Navy.

A Polish Land Forces member approaches a Boyevaya Mashina Pekhoty 1 infantry fighting vehicle during a training mechanized assault for exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2018 in Ustka, Poland on June 12, 2018. US Marine Corps Photo

This year’s BALTOPS saw the participation of over 20 countries including Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Lithuania, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and NATO members and partners.

Following the exercise, Oak Hill, Bainbridge and James E. Williams arrived in Kiel, Germany, for the annual Kiel Week maritime festival.

In Tokyo, Japan

Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) arrived in Yokosuka, Japan, on June 10 and transited to Tokyo on June 15.

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

In the Philippine Sea

Ships from the Indian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) and the US Navy sail in formation during Malabar 2018 on June 14, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan CSG left its homeport in Japan on May 29 and recently completed the Malabar 2018 exercise on June 16 off the coast of Guam with Japanese and Indian naval forces.

“This is the first year Guam is hosting the annual exercise in which participants will practice surface and anti-submarine warfare operations, combined carrier strike group operations, maritime patrol and reconnaissance operations, and visit, board, search, and seizure operations,” according to a Navy statement.

“While not mentioned in any public statements released by the Malabar participants, the recent activities of China, notably its program of building artificial islands in the South China Sea and sending submarines into the Indian Ocean, loom over the exercise,” USNI News reported on June 6.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Damage control training team members instruct sailors on boundaries during a general quarters drill in the hangar bay of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on June 13, 2018. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier:
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan

Carrier Air Wing 5

CVW 5, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

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

Destroyer Squadron 15

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

  • USS Mustin (DDG-89), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan

Guided-missile Cruisers

Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) conduct an underway replenishment (UNREP) training exercise with the Indian navy oiler INS Shak ti (A 57) during exercise Malabar on June 12, 2018. US Navy Photo
  • USS Antietam (CG-54), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan
  • USS Chancellorsville (CG-62), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan

In the Persian Gulf

The Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) on June 13, 2018. US Navy Photo

The amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) entered the Persian Gulf last week. The Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is operating in a disaggregated manner with some units in the Baltic Sea, some in the Mediterranean Sea and some in the Persian Gulf. The ARG recently celebrated its halfway completion of 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.

In the Western Atlantic

An AV-8B Harrier lands on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on June 15, 2018. US Navy Photo

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas.

In the Eastern Pacific

Aviation Boatswains Mate (Handling) Airman Nicholas Fening paints a ramp in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) on June 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is in port in San Diego, Calif. The carrier departed its Bremerton, Wash., homeport on June 15 to conduct training ahead of its upcoming deployment later this year, after also conducting at-sea training from April 3 to May 17.

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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