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. 27, 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

Ships Deployed by Fleet

In the Western Pacific

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group is in homeport in Yokosuka, Japan. The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group is in homeport in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Persian Gulf

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Persian Gulf. USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) and its escorts transited the Strait of Hormuz on Dec. 21, marking the first time a U.S. carrier has operated there since the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group left in March.

“The CSG reported being monitored by Iranian forces, including being shadowed by surveillance drones, but nothing considered out of the ordinary for transiting the Strait of Hormuz,” a Navy spokeswoman told USNI News.

For Christmas, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs Gen. Joseph Dunford visited the carrier along with a USO tour that included time U.S. Olympic gold medalist Shaun White, three-time CrossFit World Champion Mat Fraser, country music singer Kellie Pickler, “This is Us” actor Milo Ventimiglia and “That 70s Show” actor Wilmar Valderrama.

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

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

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.

In the Indian Ocean

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is underway in the Indian Ocean. 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 is transiting home through the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. According to the Navy, “Rushmore arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Friday and Anchorage arrived in Visakhapatnam, India on Saturday for scheduled port visits in an effort to strengthen military partnerships.”

Rushmore deaprted Sri Lanka on Dec. 26, according to local press reports.

In the Atlantic

More than 4,500 sailors and Marines with the Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU departed the East Coast on Dec. 17. The ARG just chopped into 6th Fleet for a deployment that will likely include operations in the European Theater and the Middle East.
The ARG is led by USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and includes Norfolk-based USS Arlington (LPD-24) and Mayport, Fla.,-based USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43), according to the Navy.
Along with elements of the 22nd MEU from Camp Lejeune, N.C., Fleet Surgical Teams 2 and 8, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, and Naval Beach Group 2 are also embarked, according to the Navy.

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, Seabees, Coast Guard cutters, EOD Mobile Units, and more serving throughout the globe.