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 Sept. 4, 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

Ships Deployed by Fleet

In the Western Pacific

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Philippine Sea. Last week, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) exercised with U.S. and Japanese warships in the South China Sea.

Reagan and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force helicopter carrier JS Kaga (DDH-184) met on Friday for at-sea drills and to conduct replenishment-at-sea training, according to Navy statement.

Guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54), guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69) and JMSDF guided-missile destroyers JS Inazum (DD-105) and JS Suzutsuki (DD-117) were part of the exercises.

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

Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), along with amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD-20), dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48) and guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG-86) continue to operate in the Philippine Sea.

In the Indian Ocean

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have arrived in the Middle East and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. This is the first time an ARG/MEU has been in the theater since mid-July and is the first time the F-35B has been deployed to U.S. Central Command.

The Essex ARG left San Diego on July 10 for an expected Western Pacific and Middle East deployment. Amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and USS Rushmore (LSD-47) deployed with a squadron of Marine F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighters from the “Wake Island Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), currently homeported in Bremerton, Wash., is underway in the Southern California (SOCAL) Operating Areas conducting pre-deployment training with Carrier Air Wing 9 embarked. This time last year, Stennis completed a planned incremental availability (PIA) at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, Wash.

In the Western Atlantic

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas conducting sustainment training with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked.

The strike group exercised with carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) for dual-carrier operations last week as Lincoln was conducting air wing exercises and also testing F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters.

In late July, the CSG returned after a short three months underway for what Navy leaders described as a “working port visit.”

The Navy has said the non-traditional deployment was the practical application of the new National Defense Strategy whose guidance “directs us to be operationally unpredictable while remaining strategically predictable.” In a statement, Adm. Christopher Grady, commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, said the return of the strike group to Norfolk in July was “a direct reflection of the dynamic force employment concept and the inherent maneuverability and flexibility of the U.S. Navy.”

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 guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

• 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.
• USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
• USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Guided-missile Cruiser

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

The units of Kearsarge ARG are underway, conducting a pre-deployment exercise. The units left their homeports for an ARG/MEU exercise Aug. 21 to 22.

The Kearsarge ARG is made up of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6, USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Arlington (LPD-24), USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) and Marines from the 22nd MEU.

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.