These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of May 5, 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

Ships Deployed by Fleet

In Japan

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 South China Sea

On Monday, U.S. guided-missile destroyers USS Preble (DDG-88) and USS Chung Hoon (DDG-93) traveled within 12 nautical miles of Gaven and Johnson Reefs in the Spratly Islands in a freedom of navigation operation.

USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) and USS Stethem (DDG-63) transited the Taiwan Strait last week.

In the Persian Gulf

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 Eastern Atlantic

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is nearing the end of its deployment and the start of its midlife refueling and overhaul. The ships with Stennis are not operating as a fully-aggregated carrier strike group. Stennis departed Marseille, France, on May 1 and transited the Strait of Gibraltar May 3.

Carrier Strike Group 3

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

Carrier Air Wing 9

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

The leadership of DESRON 21 is embarked aboard Stennis and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG. Because Stennis is headed toward Norfolk for an eventual midlife refueling, the West Coast escorts remained in the Pacific. For instance, USS Stockdale (DDG-106) is currently in Fiji.

• 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.
Mobile Bay is headed home to San Diego.

In the Mediterranean

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is operating in the central Mediterranean Sea. According to local press reports, the strike group will pull into port in Split, Croatia, for a port visit May 8 to 11.

However, according to U.S. press reports, the U.S. is sending the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to the U.S. Central Command region to “send a clear and unmistakable message” to Iran, according to a Sunday night statement from National Security Advisor John Bolton.

Carrier Strike Group 12

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

Carrier Air Wing 7

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

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 Eastern Pacific

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked from San Diego, Calif., on May 1.

In addition to the USS Boxer (LHD-4), other ARG ships are the dock landing ship USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD-49) and amphibious transport dock USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26). The ARG includes the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 5, and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.

The Camp Pendleton-based 11th MEU is comprised of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Attack Squadron 214 equipped (with AV-8B Harrier); Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In the Virginia Capes Operating Areas

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

USS Harry Truman (CVN-75) is underway for “sustainment operations,” according to the Navy.

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.