USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 22, 2019

January 22, 2019 11:29 AM
USNI News Graphic

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Jan. 22, 2019, 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
51 27 78

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 4 0 22 15 52 93

In the Antarctic

An emperor penguin poses for a photo in front of the Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star in McMurdo Sound near Antarctica on Wednesday on Jan. 10, 2018. US Coast Guard Photo

USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) arrived in Antarctica on Thursday as part of the Coast Guard’s annual mission to deliver supplies to the U.S. outpost on the continent. The heavy icebreaker cut through 18-miles of ice in McMurdo Sound, clearing the way for ship Ocean Giant to off-load 400 containers at the station.

“Each year, the Polar Star creates a navigable path through seasonal and multi-year ice, sometimes as much as 21 feet thick, to allow a resupply vessel to reach McMurdo Station. The supply delivery allows multiple Antarctic stations to stay operational year-round, including during the dark and tumultuous Antarctic winter,” read a report in The Maritime Executive.

In Yokosuka, Japan

Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson is piped aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65) on Jan. 17, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in homeport in Yokosuka, Japan. On his return from a meeting with military counterparts in China, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson visited U.S. warships on the waterfront at Yokosuka.

In the Philippine Sea

Sgt. Mark Smith, from Chester, West Virginia, and Oohio, a patrol explosive detection dog, with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) exit a MV-22 Osprey assigned to the “Flying Tigers” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 262 (Reinforced) along with other Marines of the 31st MEU aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) on Jan. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group with embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is underway in the Philippine Sea.

In the Indian Ocean

An AH–1Z Viper helicopter, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 166 (Reinforced), prepares to land on the flight deck aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Anchorage (LPD-23) while on a deployment of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Jan. 16, 2019. US Navy Photo

The amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) and the 13th MEU are in the Indian Ocean near India operating in U.S. 7th Fleet. The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) comprises Wasp-class Essex, San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Rushmore (LSD-47). The ARG and embarked 13th MEU deployed from San Diego on July 10.

In the Gulf of Oman

The Stennis Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Gulf of Oman, just outside the Persian Gulf. Last week, USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) operated with the U.K. Royal Navy, Royal Australian Navy and the French Marine Nationale as part of the Intrepid Sentinel exercise in the Persian Gulf. Stennis, Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) and Ticonderoga-class cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) were joined by Australian Anzac-class frigate HMAS Ballarat (FFH-155) and French air defense destroyer FS Cassard (D-614) “for a multinational exercise designed to enhance warfighting readiness and interoperability between allies and partners,” according to the Navy.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Ashley Crescimanno, from Albany, New York, directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Arabian Gulf on Jan. 17, 2019. 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

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) transits the Strait of Hormuz on Jan. 20, 2019. 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

USS Spruance (DDG-111) transits the Persian Gulf on Jan. 18, 2019. 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

An MH-60S Sea Hawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, lands on the flight deck of the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) in the Persian Gulf on Jan 17, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Gulf of Aden

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Reymond Rallos clears a CH-53E Super Stallion for take off from the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on Jan. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU are now in the Gulf of Aden.

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.

Joining the 22nd MEU from Camp Lejeune, N.C., are Fleet Surgical Teams 2 and 8, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, and Naval Beach Group 2, according to the Navy.

In the Eastern Pacific

Sgt. Matthew Brooks, ‘left’, and Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Sanders, assigned to 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), pound fists before a helicopter raid evolution in the hangar bay of amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) on Jan. 18, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Boxer (LHD-4) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas off of San Diego with a Marine aviation element embarked.

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.

Get USNI News updates delivered to your inbox