USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 15, 2019

April 15, 2019 10:49 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 April 15, 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
47 21 68

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 2 1 19 23 57 102

In Yokosuka, Japan

USS Stethem (DDG-63) is moored at Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka, Japan, on April 4, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Philippine Sea

Marine Assault amphibious vehicles come ashore after departing the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) during Exercise Balikatan 2019 on April, 9 2019, in the Philippines. 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, completed Exercise Balikatan with the Republic of the Philippines military. Wasp made a port call in Subic Bay this weekend, conducted a change of command on April 13 and is now back underway. Elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, including the “Green Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, are embarked aboard Wasp.

In the Red Sea

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) steams in the Strait of Hormuz on April 7, 2019. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis CSG is operating in the Red Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 3

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), left, conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO-199) in the Arabian Sea on April 9, 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 participate in a mass casualty drill aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Arabian Sea on April 11, 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

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Aaron Shambaugh, from Lancaster, Penn., aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106) in the Indian Ocean on April 9, 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), left, and the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), background, conduct a replenishment-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO-199) in the Arabian Sea on April 9, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Persian Gulf

A U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit lands before offloading Marines and sailors as part of embassy reinforcement training during a MEU exercise on April 12, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is in the Persian Gulf. On April 11, the ARG and part of the MEU were moored in Bahrain.

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 Mediterranean Sea

USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), right, the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), and the Alvaro de Bazan-class frigate ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104) transit the Strait of Gibraltar, entering the Mediterranean Sea on April 13, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln CSG deployed from Norfolk on April 1 and is now operating in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility in the central Mediterranean Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Sailors perform a no-load evolution on a catapult on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on April 11, 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

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 prepares to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on April 9, 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

Sailors stand watch on the brow of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) as the ship follows the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) into the Strait of Gibraltar on April 13, 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.

Guided-missile Cruiser

Cmdr. Shaun Dennis, Executive Officer aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), provides opening remarks during a burial-at-sea ceremony on April 11, 2019, US Navy Photo

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

In Norfolk, Va.

Sailors direct an F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the “Fighting Checkmates” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on April 9, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) completed sustainment training and returned to Norfolk, Va. on April 11.

In the Virginia Capes

An F/A-18E, assigned to the “Fighting Swordsmen” of strike fighter squadron (VFA) 83, flies over the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on April 14, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) got underway on April 8 for Flight Deck Certification.

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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