USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 5, 2018

November 5, 2018 1:41 PM - Updated: November 13, 2018 8:35 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 Nov. 5, 2018, based on Navy and public data. In cases where a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:

286

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
45 44 89

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 0 0 19 24 51 94

In the Western Pacific

Airman Antonio Gage salutes good-bye to an MH-60S Knighthawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Oct. 30, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the East China Sea, south of Japan. 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 cruisers USS Antietam (CG-54) and USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) are underway with Reagan, along with other ships with the U.S. Forward Deployed Naval Force in Japan. The strike group participated in the bilateral Japanese/U.S. Keen Sword 19 exercise.

“Approximately 10,000 U.S. service members from commands such as U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Forces Japan, 7th Fleet, 5th Air Force, 374th Airlift Wing, 18th Wing, 35th Fighter Wing, and III Marine Expeditionary Force will take part,” according to a statement last week from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

Carrier Air Wing 5

Aviation Machinist’s Mate Airman Keante Harris, from Cleveland, carries chains on the flight deck of the forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during exercise Keen Sword 19 on Nov. 1, 2018. 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

USS Wasp (LHD-1) has returned to port in Sasebo, Japan.

Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1633 departs the well deck of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48) on Oct. 29, 2018. US Navy Photo

Amphibious warship USS Ashland (LSD-48), part of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group, is embarked with Marines from Combat Logistics Battalion 31 off the coast of Tinian in the Northern Mariana Islands. Ashland is providing Federal Emergency Management Agency support to civil and local officials as part of the FEMA-supported Typhoon Yutu recovery effort.

A company of U.S. Navy Seabees, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 1, stationed in Gulfport, Miss., has also deployed to Guam to join the disaster relief effort, according to a Marine Corps news release.

In the Persian Gulf

An F-35B Lightning II, attached to the “Wake Island Avengers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, prepares to land on the flight deck aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) on Oct. 26, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is underway in the Persian Gulf. The ARG includes Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47), along with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU).

The ARG has been operating in a disaggregated fashion. Anchorage has been operating in the Mediterranean Sea in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility, while Essex and Rushmore have been operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

In the Middle Pacific

Sailors observe an E-2C Hawkeye attached to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 as it lands on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Pacific Ocean on Oct. 19, 2018. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in the Middle Pacific and headed west. The strike group will soon enter the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility.

Carrier Strike Group 3

USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) sail through the Pacific Ocean on Aug. 12, 2018. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), homeported in Bremerton, Wash. (shifting to Norfolk, Va., upon completion of deployment)

Carrier Air Wing 9

  • The “Black Aces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Tophatters” of VFA-14 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Warhawks” of VFA-97 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Vigilantes” of VFA-151 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Wallbangers” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117 from Naval Air Station Pt Mugu, CA
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 21

  • USS Stockdale (DDG-106), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

Guided-missile Cruiser
USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

In the Eastern Pacific

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) transits the Pacific on Oct. 13, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Carl Vinson CSG is underway in the San Diego Operating Areas. Carrier Air Wing 2 is embarked aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) for training.

In the Eastern Atlantic

Seaman Joseph Faulin heaves the phone and distance line during a replenishment-at-sea between the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) on Oct. 30, 2018. US Navy Photo

Having just operated in the high north, carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is now operating farther south in the eastern Atlantic, off the Strait of Gibraltar.

Carrier Strike Group 8

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO 198) on Oct. 20, 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

USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) transits the Norwegian Sea on Oct. 26, 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.

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

In the Norwegian Sea

USS Iwo Jima off the Norwegian coast on Nov. 1, 2018. NATO Photo

The Iwo Jima ARG is operating in the Norwegian Sea with the 24th MEU embarked. The ARG includes USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44). The Iwo Jima ARG conducted amphibious exercises as part of Exercise Trident Juncture 2018 last week.

In the Western Atlantic

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Bailey Sams, from Borger, Texas, right, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Apprentice Roberto Roloncintron, from Caguas, Puerto Rico, mount the christening seal aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on Oct. 23, 2018. US Navy Photo

Carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) is underway in the Virginia Capes training area. Guided-missile destroyer USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday.

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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