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 24, 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:

290

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 (MEU) are underway and operating in the Coral Sea.

USS Wasp (LHD-1) made a port visit to Sydney, Australia, on June 18.

In the Indian Ocean

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with 11th MEU embarked is transiting across the Indian Ocean and is now in 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

The Abraham Lincoln CSG is operating in the Gulf of Oman. The region has been a hotspot since this month’s attacks on petrochemical tankers and last week’s shootdown of a Navy-owned RQ-4A maritime surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle.

According to a statement from U.S. Air Forces Central Command commander Lt. Gen. Joseph Guastella:

“A U.S. Navy RQ-4 was flying over the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz on a surveillance mission in international airspace in the vicinity of recent IRGC maritime attacks, when it was shot down by an IRGC surface to air missile fired from a location in the vicinity of Goruk, Iran,” Guastella said in a brief statement to Pentagon reporters on Thursday.

“At the time of the intercept, the RQ-4 was operating at high-altitude approximately 34 kilometers from the nearest point of land on the Iranian coast. This dangerous and escalatory attack was irresponsible and occurred in the vicinity of established air corridors between Dubai, UAE, and Muscat, Oman, possibly endangering innocent civilians.”

President Trump ordered retaliatory strikes but then rescinded the order because he decided the planned strikes were not a proportional response to the attack on the Navy UAV. The Abraham Lincoln CSG would likely have been a part of that strike.

The New York Times reported U.S. Cyber Command on Thursday conducted offensive cyber attacks against an Iranian intelligence group that American officials believe helped plan the attack against oil tankers in recent weeks, according to people briefed on the operation.

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 the Mediterranean

The Kearsarge ARG with embarked 22nd MEU transited the Suez Canal and is now in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility. The ARG/MEU completed Operation Eager Lion, a multilateral exercise held annually in Jordan, last week.

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

Having completed her docking planned incremental availability (DPIA) in late May, USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is underway for basic phase training off Washington state.

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

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.