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 20, 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 forward-deployed homeport in Yokosuka, Japan. Last week, carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) left Yokosuka for sea trials at the end of its yearly maintenance period.

Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is in its forward-deployed homeport in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Gulf of Oman

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group transited the Suez Canal on May 9 and is operating in U.S. 5th Fleet near Yemen. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and its strike group conducted an expedited transit in reaction to threats of military action from Iran, according to the White House.

The Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), conducted joint operations on May 17 to 18.

During the exercises, CSG and ARG drilled to “improve operational tactics in several warfare areas. Exercises included air-to-air training, steaming in formation and maneuvering, and establishing joint communications to enable rapidly a command and control environment,” according to U.S. 5th Fleet.

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.

Guided-missile Cruiser

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

More than 4,500 sailors and Marines with the Kearsarge ARG and embarked 22nd MEU departed the East Coast on Dec. 17.

The Kearsarge ARG is commanded by Amphibious Squadron 6. In addition to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), the ARG includes Norfolk-based San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS Arlington (LPD-24) and Mayport, Fla.,-based Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD-43), according to the Navy.
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 Norfolk, Va.

Aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) arrived in Norfolk, Va., on May 16. The ship conducted a Tiger Cruise, allowing the crew’s family and friends to ride the carrier from Mayport, Fla., in the last phase of Stennis’ around-the-world deployment.

Stennis deployed from Naval Base Kitsap-Bremerton on Oct. 15. The carrier shifted homeport to Norfolk to prepare for its upcoming midlife refueling and complex overhaul, which will take place in the nearby Newport News Shipbuilding yard.

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 to Norfolk for an eventual midlife refueling, the West Coast escorts remained in the Pacific and will return to their homeports.

• 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 after seeing Stennis to Norfolk.

In the Middle Pacific

The Boxer ARG with embarked 11th MEU trained from May 12-15 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii and Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The ARG is now back underway in the mid-Pacific and is heading west.

Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5) is ARG commander. In addition to the USS Boxer (LHD-4), the ARG also includes USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD-49) and 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 comprises 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.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is underway in the Gulf of Alaska for Exercise Northern Edge, the first time a carrier has been at the exercise in a decade. Northern Edge 2019 is a high-end joint exercise hosted by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and focused on air warfare that runs from May 13 through 24. About 10,000 personnel are participating, about half of which come from the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Aircraft Carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

CVW11, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif. is embarked aboard Theodore Roosevelt and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Black Knights” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Black Diamonds” of VFA-146 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Tomcatters” of VFA-31 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Liberty Bells” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 115 from Naval Air Station Pt Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Wolfpack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Guided Missile Destroyers

• USS Russell (DDG-59), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
• USS Kidd (DDG-100), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
• USS John Finn (DDG-113), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

U.S. Marine Corps units, including F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters, are also participating in Northern Edge.

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.