USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 25, 2019

February 25, 2019 11:32 AM - Updated: February 25, 2019 3:20 PM

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Feb. 25, 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:

289

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
52 32 84

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 4 0 17 14 55 91

In Japan

Landing Craft, Utility 1634, from Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7, conducts a stern gate marriage with the amphibious dock landing ship USS Germantown (LSD-42) during a training evolution on Feb. 14, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in homeport in Yokosuka, Japan.

USS Wasp (LHD-1) recently returned to its homeport in Sasebo, Japan, after a Western Pacific patrol.

Later this year, Wasp will relocate to Norfolk, Va., and USS America (LHA-6) will serve as the new flagship of the Forward Deployed Naval Forces Japan (FDNF-J) amphibious fleet.

In the South China Sea

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) transits the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 20, 2019. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis CSG is underway in the South China Sea after participating in the Cobra Gold exercise in Thailand. The CSG is presently operating off of the coast of Vietnam as President Trump and North Korean leader, Kim Jong Un, are scheduled to meet in Hanoi on Wednesday and Thursday.

Carrier Strike Group 3

A sailor aboard the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) stands guard as his shipmates prepare to disembark at Laem Chabang Port, Thailand on Feb. 10, 2019. US Army 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

An E-2C Hawkeye, assigned to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, flies over the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 19, 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

Seaman Pedro Sanchez, from Sacramento, Calif., stands watch as the aft lookout aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106) in the Arabian Sea on Feb. 8, 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

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Robert Gouthro, from Tracey, California, handles the phone and distance line on the fo’c’sle of the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) during a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Guadalupe (T-AO-200) in the Pacific Ocean on Feb. 9, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Eastern Pacific

Sailors and Marines man the rails of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) as it pulls into Pearl Harbor on Feb. 18, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are very close to home, heading east toward San Diego, Calif.

The Essex ARG comprises Wasp-class amphibious assault 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). The ARG and embarked 13th MEU deployed from San Diego on July 10.

Joining the 13th MEU are the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 and detachments from Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 3 and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, according to the Navy.

Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and the USS Boxer (LHD-4) are underway for training in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In the Persian Gulf

Marines and sailors assigned to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit train with fast roping in the lower vehicle stowage area aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD-24) on Feb. 22, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and elements of the 22nd MEU are in operating in the central Persian Gulf after a port call in Bahrain last week.

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. The more than 4,500 sailors and Marines left the East Coast on Dec. 17. The deployment will likely include operations in Europe and the Middle East.

In the Western Atlantic

Seaman Rachel Bew mans the forward lookout on vulture’s row during a general quarters drill aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Feb. 20, 2019. US Navy Photo

Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 assets USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 and Destroyer Squadron 2 are continuing to conduct a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) off the East Coast.

Ships assigned to DESRON 2 include Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Mitscher (DDG-57), USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG-81), USS Gonzalez (DDG-66), USS Mason (DDG-87) and USS Nitze (DDG-94).

Airman Justin Anaya (left) participates in a security reaction force basic qualification course with Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Derrick Mclain after being sprayed with oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Feb. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo

The guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) returned to the strike group earlier this month following a minor collision with dry cargo ship USNS Robert E. Peary (T-AKE-5) during an underway replenishment.

The Álvaro de Bazán-class Spanish navy frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F-104) is also participating in the COMPTUEX and the deployment to improve the warfighting capabilities and partnership between the two NATO countries.

Amphibious warship USS Bataan (LHD-5) is also operating off the East Coast.

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.

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