USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 22, 2019

April 22, 2019 12:26 PM
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 22, 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
44 21 65

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 3 1 17 25 57 103

In Yokosuka, Japan

Capt. Tom Shultz, commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Green Bay (LPD-20), explains well deck operations to members of the Japanese Ministry of Defense Joint Staff College (JSC) during a tour of USS Green Bay (LPD-20). US Navy Photo

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

In the Philippine Sea

An assault amphibious vehicle (AAV) exits the well deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) on April 17, 2019. US Navy Photo

The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) with embarked Marines from Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force (SPMAGTF) 4 are underway in the Philippine Sea. 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

A MV-22B Osprey attached to the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit lands on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) on April 19, 2019. US Navy 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 made a port visit in Jebel Ali, UAE.

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.

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 John C. Stennis (CVN-74), front left, The French Marine Nationale aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (F 91), front right, the guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG-74), the guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), the Royal Danish navy frigate HDMS Niels Juel (F 363), and the French air defense destroyer FS Forbin (D 620) transit in formation in the Red Sea on April 15, 2019. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis CSG transited the Suez Canal on April 20 and is now in the Mediterranean Sea in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations. Last week, the CSG exercised operations with French Navy aircraft carrier FS Charles de Gaulle (R 91) in the Red Sea.

Aircraft carrier

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) transits the Suez Canal on April 20, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74), homeported in Bremerton, Wash. (shifting to Norfolk, Va., upon completion of deployment).

Carrier Air Wing 9

Sailors prepare to conduct flight operations on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Red Sea on April 18, 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 3rd Class Davion Gayle pipes over the ship’s one main circuit in the pilothouse of the guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) while transiting through the Strait of Hormuz on April 16, 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.

The color guard folds the national ensign aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) while anchored off the coast of Palma de Mallorca, Spain on April 15, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln CSG deployed from Norfolk on April 1 and is now operating in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility in the central Mediterranean Sea. Last week, the CSG stopped in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, on April 15 and departed April 20.

Carrier Strike Group 12

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is anchored off the coast of Palma de Mallorca, Spain on April, 15, 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

Two F/A-18F Super Hornets perform a fly-by of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on April 12, 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 man the pilot house during a replenishment-at-sea (RAS) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) on April 9, 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

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

In the Southern California Operating Areas

The amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) and its amphibious ready group (ARG) are moored at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in 2018. US Navy photo

USS America (LHA-6) is underway for 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. 

Get USNI News updates delivered to your inbox