USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 17, 2018

September 17, 2018 11:36 AM - Updated: September 19, 2018 9:15 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 Sept. 17, 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:

285

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
49 42 91

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 0 1 16 22 54 93

This post has been updated to correct the hull number of the former USS St. Louis. It’s LKA-116, not LKA-117.

In the Western Pacific

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) leads the Ronald Reagan Strike Carrier Strike Group, including the Ticonderoga-class missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Benfold (DDG-65) and USS Milius (DDG-69), during a photo exercise for Valiant Shield 2018 on Sept. 17. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Philippine Sea for Exercise Valiant Shield, which runs Sept. 16 to 23 in the Mariana Islands Range Complex – including exercises in Guam.

“Valiant Shield is a U.S.-only, biennial field training exercise with a focus on integration of joint training in a blue-water environment among U.S. forces,” according to service.

Carrier Air Wing 5 is embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG- 69) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) – and several other Forward-Deployed Naval Force ships out of Japan – are underway with Reagan. The former USS St. Louis (LKA-116) is scheduled to be sunk as a target for this exercise.

Carrier Air Wing 5

USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) and USNS 2nd Lt. John P. Bobo (T-AK-3008) steam alongside the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during a photo exercise for Valiant Shield 2018 on Sept. 17. US Navy Photo

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

In addition to Carrier Air Wing 5, Marine F-35B Joint Strike Fighters with Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 121 also participated in the Valiant Shield exercise.

The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) on Sept. 12 following the landfall of Typhoon Mangkhut last week.

“As support efforts continue, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 76 is engaged in Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) activities in Rota, Tinian and Saipan. Two ships within CTF 76, the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp and the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48), are supporting FEMA requests for assistance through the tasking of personnel and distribution of supplies, throughout the CNMI,” the service said.

Marines with Company E, Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, stage five-gallon water jugs inside the well deck aboard the dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48), underway in the Pacific Ocean on Sept. 11, 2018. US Marine Corps Photo

Navy and Marine Corps assets are on standby for more assistance as needed, including an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Island Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 25 and MV-22 Ospreys assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262.

In the Gulf of Aden

Chief Petty Officer selectees march off the port aircraft elevator aboard Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) as part of a chief petty officer pinning ceremony during a regularly scheduled deployment of Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on Spet. 14, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) – which includes Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47) – and embarked 13th MEU are in the Gulf of Aden.

The Essex ARG and 13th MEU are completing two weeks of exercises off the coast of Djibouti this week.

Naval Base Kitsap, Wash.

Seaman Shamique Clark, from Joliet, Illinois, stands a lookout watch on the island aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during its recent training in the Pacific ahead of its expected deployment. US Navy Photo

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) has returned to its homeport in Bremerton, Washington. After completing a series of exercises off the coast of California, the Stennis CSG s now certified to deploy.

In the Eastern Atlantic

Logistics Specialist 3rd Class Ariana Mireles operates a forklift in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Sept. 9, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman CSG completed a joint anti-submarine warfare exercise with the Canadian Navy last week off Halifax and now continues east after chopping into the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Royal Canadian Navy frigate HMCS Halifax (FFH 330), front, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Forest Sherman (DDG-98) participate in a formation exercise off the coast of Halifax, Canada on Sept. 11, 2018. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier:
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Carrier Air Wing 1

An MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter assigned to the Dragonslayers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 takes off from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) on Sept. 11, 2018. US Navy Photo

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

USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98), back, and the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) transit the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 11, 2018. US Navy Photo

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.

In the Western Atlantic

Maj. Kevin Kratzer, the intelligence officer of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), briefs a concept for potential search and rescue operations on a terrain map aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on Sept. 15, 2018. US Navy Photo

Amphibious warships USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Arlington (LPD-24) and elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are positioned off the Carolina coast to offer disaster relief and search and rescue assistance if requested.

Kearsarge entered port last week to load relief supplies for the Defense Support for Civil Authorities mission.

Kearsarge and Arlington, which chased Florence, have Navy and Marine personnel, in addition to life-saving assets that include 16 helicopters and six MV-22s.

The Kearsarge ARG/22nd MEU group is made up of Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 6, Kearsarge, Arlington, USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43) and Marines from the 22nd MEU. The group is preparing for an upcoming deployment, according to the Navy.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) completes storm-weather condition preparations and departs from Naval Station Norfolk ahead of Hurricane Florence on Sept. 11, 2018. US Navy Photo

A host of ships sortied from Norfolk last week for storm evasion, including aircraft carriers USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). Military aircraft were also dispersed to inland airfields. Bush remains underway as of Monday morning.

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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