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. 13, 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 |
52 | 34 | 86 |
Ships Deployed by Fleet
Fleet Forces | 3rd Fleet | 4th Fleet | 5th Fleet | 6th Fleet | 7th Fleet | Total |
0 | 3 | 2 | 19 | 24 | 58 | 106 |
In the Western Pacific
Two U.S. Navy carrier strike groups are now operating in the Western Pacific.
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Philippine Sea after completing the Keen Sword bilateral exercise with the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force and the Royal Canadian Navy.
Carrier Air Wing 5 is embarked on USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Milius (DDG-69) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers USS Antietam (CG-54 ) and USS Chancellorsville (CG 62), along with several other ships of the Forward Deployed Naval Force in Japan, are underway with Reagan.
The air wing suffered the loss of an aircraft this week when an F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the “Dambusters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, “experienced a mechanical issue that resulted in the crew ejecting while conducting routine operations,” according to a U.S. 7th Fleet statement provided to USNI News on Monday.
“The crew was immediately and safely recovered by [Reagan] search and rescue aircraft and brought back to the ship for evaluation by medical personnel.”
The aviators are in good condition and the Navy has begun an investigation into the crash.
Carrier Strike Group 5
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
The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is now in the Western Pacific, operating in the Philippine Sea.
Carrier Strike Group 3
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.
The Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48), assigned to Amphibious Squadron 11, with embarked Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 31 is providing Department of Defense support to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ civil and local officials as part of the FEMA-led Typhoon Yutu recovery efforts.
“Ashland departed Guam with soldiers and heavy equipment from the 9th Mission Support Company (9th MSC), Guam Army National Guard to provide continued support to the island of Saipan,” U.S. 7th Fleet said in a statement.
Besides Ashland, the remainder of the Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group is at its homeport of Sasebo, Japan.
In the Persian Gulf
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 Portugal
Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is in Lisbon, Portugal, for a port call.
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 Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
Guided-missile Cruiser
USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
In Norway
The Iwo Jima ARG with the 24th MEU embarked is in the Norwegian Sea. The ARG includes USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44). The Iwo Jima ARG recently completed amphibious exercises as part of Exercise Trident Juncture and is now in Oslo, Norway.
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.