USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 1, 2019

April 1, 2019 12:07 PM
USNI News Image

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of April 1, 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
45 23 68

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 1 1 21 17 53 94

In Yokosuka, Japan

Visitors wait in line for a tour of the guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) during the 26th annual Spring Festival at Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka, Japan, on March 30, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the East China Sea

Sailors man the rails aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) as the ship arrives in Subic Bay, Philippines, on March 30, 2019 in support of Exercise Balikatan. US Navy Photo

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), with embarked Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) 4, led by the 4th Marine Regiment, arrived in Subic Bay, Philippines, on March 30 in preparation for Exercise Balikatan. Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, including the “Green Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, are embarked aboard Wasp.

In the Persian Gulf

Sailors reset a steam-powered catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Persian Gulf, March 23, 2019. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group is in the Persian Gulf.

Carrier Strike Group 3

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) pulls out of Manama, Bahrain, on March 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

An MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 flies toward the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Indian Ocean on March 16, 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

Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106) conduct a helicopter in-flight refueling drill with an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 on the flight deck of Stockdale in the Persian Gulf, March 13, 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) breaks away from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Walter S. Diehl (T-AO-193) during a March 3, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Gulf of Aden

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) transits the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of Operations on March 28, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is in the Gulf of Aden.

The ARG is led by Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) 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 the Eastern Pacific

Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) transits the Pacific Ocean on March 31, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Western Atlantic

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) departs Naval Station Norfolk on March 28, 2019. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) left Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Thursday for a brief shakedown cruise after completing a maintenance period that lasted a year longer than expected.

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is underway in the Virginia Capes for a sustainment exercise.

Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group deploys today from Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) take the Navy physical readiness test in the hangar bay on March 20, 2019. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va. (shifting to San Diego, Calif., upon completion of deployment)

Carrier Air Wing 7

Seaman Sakyra Baker stands aft lookout as an F/A-18 Super Hornet assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7 lands on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Feb. 21, 2019. US Navy Photo

CVW 7, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Lincoln and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Night Dippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Griffins” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 2

USS Nitze (DDG-94), left, and USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) and the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), center, underway in formation during an integrated live-fire exercise on Feb. 22, 2019. US Navy Photo

The leadership of DESRON 2 is embarked aboard Lincoln and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

  • USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Nitze (DDG-94), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104), Ferrol Naval Base, Spain (will join the strike group in the Eastern Atlantic).

Guided-missile Cruiser

Cryptologic Technician (Technical) Seaman Apprentice Angel Anthony Morales, from Ventura, Calif., performs maintenance on a weapons system aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) on March 20, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

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