USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 3, 2018

December 3, 2018 11:30 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 Dec. 3, 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:

287

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
52 19 71

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
2 0 3 16 24 57 102

In the Western Pacific

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195, makes the 100,000th successful launch from the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Nov. 13, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Philippine Sea.

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.

Carrier Strike Group 5

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) transits the Philippine Sea on Nov. 16 , 2018. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 5

An E-2D Hawkeye lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Nov. 7, 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

In the Indian Ocean

USS Spruance (DDG-111), right, pulls alongside the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Charles Drew (T-AKE-10) and the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) for a replenishment-at-sea on Nov. 20, 2018. US Navy

The John C. Stennis CSG arrived in Singapore for a port visit on Nov. 24 and departed Nov. 28. The strike group is underway in the Indian Ocean off Sri Lanka.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Donye Wright, from Virginia Beach, Va., handles mooring line on the fantail aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) as the ship gets underway from Changi Naval Base, Singapore on Nov. 28, 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

Aviation Support Equipment Technician Airman Apprentice Tanner Freeman, from Indianapolis, Ind., cleans a forklift in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) on Nov. 29, 2018. US Navy Photo

CVW 9, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore in California, is embarked aboard Stennis and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • 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

Sailors heave in line aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO-200) on Nov. 16, 2018. US Navy Photo

The leadership of DESRON 21 is embarked aboard Stennis and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

  • 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.

Cmdr. Jimmie Jensen, commanding officer of the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD-42), explains the functions of the ship’s bridge to Lt. Gen. Jerry P. Martinez, commander of U.S. Forces Japan, during a tour of the ship on Nov. 19, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group is in homeport in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Persian Gulf

An F-35B Lightning II, attached to the ‘Wake Island Avengers’ of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211, prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) on Nov. 27, 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 Mediterranean Sea

Sailors prepare to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the “Sunliners” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, from the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) Nov. 27, 2018. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Spain.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Sailors shoot a messenger line from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) to the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) during a replenishment-at-sea. Nov. 26, 2018. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Ryan Vue prepares an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the Knighthawks of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136 for launch from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Nov. 21, 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 Arleigh Burke (DDG-51) refuels during a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) on Nov. 29, 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 Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Guided-missile Cruiser

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) transits the Adriatic Sea on Nov. 27, 2018. US Navy Photo

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

In the Western Atlantic

Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Recruit Martin Jimenez, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Apprentice Deion Woody march to perform colors at half-mast in honor of former President George H. W. Bush on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as it sits adjacent to USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. on Dec. 1, 2018. US Navy Photo

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) are underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas.

In North Carolina

The Iwo Jima ARG arrived in North Carolina to disembark the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.

“Landing Craft Air Cushions depart from USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) Nov. 30, 2018 with vehicles and equipment from the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit. Cargo was loaded onto the LCACs and transported to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., during offload operations after a successful exercise Trident Juncture 18 in Iceland and Norway,” according to a statement from U.S. Marine Corps.

In the Caribbean Sea

Ens. Chaquel Shiver, from Gadsden, N.C., gives a patient a thumbs-up while checking him in at one of two medical sites. The hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) on Nov. 28, 2018. US Navy Photo

Hospital ship USNS Comfort (T-AH-20) is providing urgently needed medical care to Venezuelan refugees while operating off the coast of Colombia.

“The ship was stationed last week off the coast of Riohacha, a Colombian beach town less than 60 miles from the Venezuelan border and, these days, home to more than 50,000 Venezuelans,” according to a report in The Miaimi Herald.

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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