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USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 4, 2019

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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 March 4, 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:

290

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
49 20 69

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 3 0 17 16 54 91

In Japan

Lt. j.g. Spencer Marion, from Atlanta, conducts a tour for Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force sailors on the flight deck aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Feb. 28, 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

An EA-18G Growler, assigned to Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133, launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the South China Sea on Feb. 26, 2019. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis CSG is underway in the South China Sea near Malaysia and Singapore.

Carrier Strike Group 3

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 South China Sea on Feb. 28, 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

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Brandon Swindler, top, from Fort Collins, Col., hands sandpaper to Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Zachariah James, from Tulare, Calif., while sanding an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14, in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the South China Sea on Feb. 27, 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

Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Michael Meneses, from Livermore, Calif., uses a welder aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) in the Red Sea on Feb. 15, 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

Sailors fight a simulated fire during a general quarters drill aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53) in the South China Sea on Feb. 28, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Gulf of Oman

Gunnery Sgt. Anthony Battles, a reconnaissance Marine with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, Maritime Raid Force, clears a stairwell during a visit, board, search and seizure casualty drill on Feb. 26, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) and elements of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are underway in the Gulf of Oman.

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is led by Wasp-class amphibious assault ship Kearsarge and includes amphibious transport dock USS Arlington (LPD-24) and dock landing ship 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.

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 San Diego

Electrician’s Mate 2nd Class Solomon Goodwin, assigned to Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), meets his daughter for the first time, at Naval Base Coronado. Essex (LHD 2), flagship of the Essex Amphibious Ready Group, returned to its homeport of San Diego following a successful eight-month deployment to the U.S. 5th, 6th and 7th Fleet areas of operation. The deployment marked the first combat deployment of the Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Jailene Casso)

The Essex ARG returned to its homeport of San Diego on Friday, and Marines of the 13th MEU returned to their home base at Camp Pendleton, Calif., after a nine-month deployment.

The Essex ARG is made up of USS Essex (LHD-2), USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and 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.

In the Eastern Pacific

Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Duane Moore, from Los Angeles, hits a punching bag aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Feb. 27, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway for training in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In the Western Atlantic

Sailors clean Aqueous Film Forming Foam off the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) on Feb. 26, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Bataan (LHD-5) is underway conducting sea trials in preparation for the upcoming training cycle and scheduled deployment.

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.