USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 18, 2019

March 18, 2019 11:02 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 March 18, 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
49 22 71

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 2 1 21 16 52 93

In Japan

Sailors assigned to Naval Beach Unit (NBU) 7 observe the landing of Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1631 onto the blocks during docking at India Pier. NBU 7 serves as the training and readiness command for LCUs, landing craft, air cushions (LCACs), and beach party teams forward-deployed in Japan on March 13, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan. USS Wasp (LHD-1) is in its homeport in Sasebo, Japan. 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 Arabian Sea

Sailors attach cargo to an MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 during a vertical replenishment on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Indian Ocean on March 12, 2019. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is in U.S. 5th Fleet and operating in the Arabian Sea. USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) departed Bremerton, Wash., on Oct. 15 for the deployment that will end at the carrier’s new homeport at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. The homeport change comes ahead of the carrier’s mid-life refueling and complex overhaul in Newport News, Va.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Chelsea Mortimer, from Kent, Washington, 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) on March 15, 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

Sailors observe an aircraft elevator rise in the hangar bay during a mass casualty drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Indian Ocean on March 12, 2019. US Navy Photo

CVW 9, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., 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

U.S. Coast Guard Maritime Security Reaction Team members rappel onto the flight deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) from an MH-60S Knighthawk, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, during an insertion training exercise in the Persian Gulf on March 14, 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
USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Twenty-two Ospreys with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit take off from the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) during training in the Gulf of Oman on March 13, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), is operating in the Arabian Sea.

The 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.

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Chelsea S. Seabrook, assigned to Beach Master Unit 2 embarked aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), dons a helmet to direct a landing craft, air cushion during an amphibious exercise on March 13, 2019. US Navy Photo

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 the Eastern Pacific

USS Boxer (LHD-4) transits the Pacific Ocean. Boxer is underway conducting routine operations as a part of USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) on March 17, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Boxer (LHD-4), with elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked, is underway for training in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In the Western Atlantic

Tug boats ferry the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) from Naval Station Norfolk following a three-month availability period used to upgrade systems, conduct maintenance, and provide targeted training on March 16, 2019. US Navy Photo

After completing a three-month maintenance period, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) got underway from Norfolk, VA on March 16. The ship is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas conducting trials and training.

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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