USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 29, 2019

April 29, 2019 11:22 AM - Updated: May 6, 2019 6:19 AM
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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 April 29, 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
48 21 69

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
2 2 1 17 23 58 103

In Japan

Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG-65) is pulled into a dry dock at Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan on April 17, 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 Persian Gulf

USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) transits the Arabian Gulf. Kearsarge is the flagship for the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit on April 23, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

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 Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) sails alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during a photo exercise on April 24, 2019. US Navy Photo

The John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group transited the Suez Canal on April 20 and has been operating in the Mediterranean Sea. Last week the Navy conducted dual-carrier operations in the central Mediterranean. On April 27, the carrier entered port in Marseilles, France.

Carrier Strike Group 3

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), back, steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) in the Mediterranean Sea on April 24, 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 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 Mediterranean Sea, April 22, 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. Navy Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Jiewel Abrigo, from San Diego, establishes communications with a repair locker during a general quarter drill aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) in the Indian Ocean on April 12, 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 Abraham Lincoln CSG is also operating in the central Mediterranean Sea. Last week, carriers USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and a collection their escorts and airwings and warships from Spain, the U.K. and France came together for several days of exercises as the carriers crossed paths in the Mediterranean.

Carrier Strike Group 12

CO Capt. Putnam Browne (right) and Cmdr. Travis Suggs, navigator aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) watch from the bridge as Abraham Lincoln sails alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) during a photo exercise on April 24, 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-18E Super Hornets from the ‘Pukin’ Dogs’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) to conduct a long-range strike exercise together with the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group on April 25, 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

Seaman Christian Ramirez, from Los Angeles, Calif., stands watch aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) on April 26, 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

Sailors aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) participate in a Security Reaction Force-Basic (SRF-B) class on April 25, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

In the Southern California Operating Areas

Sailors combat a simulated fire during a damage control exercise in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on April 27, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway for training.

In the Virginia Capes Operating Areas

Sailors participate in a foreign object debris walk down on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on April 26, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is underway for basic phase training and carrier qualifications. CQ is performed for new pilots, and periodically for experienced pilots, to gain and maintain carrier landing currency.

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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