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 27, 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 |
53 | 32 | 85 |
Ships Deployed by Fleet
Fleet Forces | 3rd Fleet | 4th Fleet | 5th Fleet | 6th Fleet | 7th Fleet | Total |
0 | 0 | 2 | 21 | 18 | 59 | 100 |
In the Western Pacific
The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) got underway on May 22 from Yokosuka, Japan, for a Western Pacific patrol. Since December, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) had been undergoing maintenance and upgrades at Yokosuka.
Carrier Air Wing 5
CVW 5, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:
- The “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan
- The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
- The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
- The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
- The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
- The “Tiger Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
- The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
- The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
- The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
Typically, one guided-missile cruiser and three guided-missile destroyers are included in a carrier strike group. U.S. 7th Fleet has not announced the names of the escorts in the Reagan CSG.
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is in Yokosuka, Japan and is slated to host the President Trump’s Memorial Day remarks in Japan.
The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked is now in the Western Pacific operating in 7th Fleet.
Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5) is ARG commander. In addition to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4), the ARG also includes Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD-49) and San Antonio-class 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 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 Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands
Last week, more than 3,000 sailors from Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea and the United States arrived in Guam for the inaugural Pacific Vanguard exercise series.
“During the exercise, forces will combine to practice a wide range of naval competencies, including combined maneuvers, live fire exercises, defensive counter-air operations, anti-submarine warfare and replenishment at sea,” read a statement from U.S. 7th Fleet.
Participants included:
Royal Australian Navy
- Guided-missile frigate HMAS Melbourne (FFG 05)
- Guided-missile frigate HMAS Parramatta (FFH 154)
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
- Guided-missile destroyer JS Ariake (DD 109)
- Guided-missile destroyer JS Asahi (DD 119)
Republic of Korea Navy
- Guided-missile destroyer ROKS Wang Geon (DDH 978)
U.S. 7th Fleet
- Command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19)
- Guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54)
- Guided-missile destroyer USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54)
- Fleet oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204)
- Dry cargo/ammunition ship USNS Richard E. Byrd (T-AKE 4)
- EA-18G Growlers from the “Scorpions” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ 132)
- P-8A Posedions from “Mad Foxes” of Patrol Squadron (VP 5)
In the Gulf of Oman
The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Gulf of Oman.
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.
The Kearsarge ARG with embarked 22nd MEU continues to operate underway in the Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea.
More than 4,500 sailors and Marines with the Kearsarge ARG/22nd MEU departed the East Coast on Dec. 17.
The Kearsarge ARG is commanded by Amphibious Squadron 6. In addition to USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), the ARG includes Norfolk-based USS Arlington (LPD-24) and Mayport, Fla.,-based 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 the Eastern Pacific
The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group completed Exercise Northern Edge in the Gulf of Alaska on Friday, May 24. The strike group is en route to San Diego, Calif.
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 “Blue 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.
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.