These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of June 17, 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 the Philippine Sea

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is currently operating in the Philippine Sea. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) got underway on May 22 from Yokosuka, Japan, for a Western Pacific patrol.

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.

In the Coral Sea

The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group, led by USS Wasp (LHD-1), and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is underway and is operating in the Coral Sea.

The wreck of the World War II aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) was discovered on Jan. 14, 2019 at the bottom of the Coral Sea at a depth of 14,255 feet.

The WWII Wasp was sunk on Sept. 15, 1942, by four torpedoes from the Japanese submarine I-19 while escorting transports carrying the Seventh Marine Regiment to Guadalcanal as reinforcements. Of the 2,162 on board, 176 were killed as a result of the attack.

In the Indian Ocean

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked, is transiting across the Indian Ocean toward the Middle East and the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

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 the Gulf of Oman

On Friday, two destroyers from the Abraham Lincoln Strike Group – USS Mason (DDG-87) and USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) – assisted M/V Kokuka Courageous.

On Thursday morning local time, Kokuka Courageous and the Norwegian-owned Front Altair were damaged in what U.S. officials reported were attacks from small attack craft owned by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy.

Video evidence shows what is alleged to be IRGCN personnel removing what appears to be an explosive device from the side of one of the ships, what U.S. Central Command called a limpet mine. A New York Times reporter and former Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal officer defines what limpet mines are and how they work.

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is back underway after spending a few days in port in Duqm, Oman late last week. Recently, Oman has made an agreement to allow U.S. Navy ships more access to Duqm. According to Reuters, U.S. officials say this will allow the U.S. military better access the Gulf region and reduce the need to send ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Duqm is undergoing large-scale development. In 2014, USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) was the first carrier to make a port call there.

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.

In Aqaba, Jordan

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are in Jordan as part of Operation Eager Lion 2019.

“Eager Lion is a multilateral exercise held annually in Jordan and is a continued effort to support military-to-military partnerships and enhance security and stability in the region,” according to the Navy.
“Scenarios will run the gamut of operational capabilities; from ground and naval operations, to humanitarian and disaster relief. More than 8,000 service members from 19 countries are participating in Eager Lion this year, 4,500 of which are coming from U.S. branches.”

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 Western Atlantic

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) remains underway for training. Ike is currently in the Basic Phase of the ship’s work up before deploying.

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.