USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 5, 2019

August 5, 2019 11:37 AM
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Aug. 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:

291

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
51 28 79

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 0 1 23 14 56 95

In the Philippine Sea

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Juliana Sandoval, from Houston, operates a jet blast deflector on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Aug. 5, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is operating the Philippine Sea.

Carrier Air Wing 5

Capt. Forrest Young, left, and Capt. Michael Rovenolt, far right, Commander, Carrier Air Wing 5, walk away from their aircraft on the flight deck aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) after Carrier Air Wing 5’s (CVW 5) change of command ceremony. Young was relieved as commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 by Rovenolt on Aug. 2, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

U.S. 7th Fleet has not named all the escorts for the Reagan CSG, but it includes guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62)

In the Coral Sea

Chief Petty Officer (selects) assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) hold wreaths during a wreath laying ceremony held in remembrance of the aircraft carrier USS Wasp (CV-7) aboard Wasp (LHD-1) on Aug. 2, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Wasp Expeditionary Strike Group with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked is underway in the Coral Sea and headed north. The ESG includes amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), amphibious transport dock USS Green Bay (LPD-20) and dock landing ship USS Ashland (LSD-48).

In the Persian Gulf

USS Boxer (LHD-4) transits the Persian Gulf on Aug. 3, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with 11th MEU is underway in the Persian Gulf after departing Manama, Bahrain, on Friday.

Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5) is the ARG commander. In addition to the Wasp-class USS Boxer (LHD-4), the ARG also includes Whidbey Island-class USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD-49) and San Antonio-class USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26).

Ens. Cierra Swiney, from Sparta, Ga., assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4), uses a sound-powered telephone in the starboard bridge wing on Aug. 2, 2019. US Navy Photo

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 Harriers; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

In the Gulf of Oman

Capt. Putnam H. Browne, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), speaks during a change of command ceremony on the flight deck. Capt. Walter M. Slaughter relieved Browne as Abraham Lincoln’s commanding officer on July 29, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Gulf of Oman. Tensions remain high in the area in and around the Strait of Hormuz. It has been a hotspot given the previously-reported attacks on tankers, the shootdown of a Navy-operated RQ-4 drone on June 20, Boxer’s takedown of an Iranian drone on July 19, and the seizure of a British tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on July 20.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Eric Limon, from Lemoore, Calif., monitors arresting gear engines during flight operations in an arresting gear engine compartment aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on July 19, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 7

Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Chad Borneman, from Karlstead, Minn., removes corrosion from the underside of an MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter assigned to the “Nightdippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on July 30, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

Seaman Recruit Khalidah Ahmad climbs a king’s post aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) on July 30, 2019. US Navy Photo

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 Western Atlantic

Sailors pre-check F/A-18 Super Hornet’s prior to flight operations on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on July 31, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group continues its composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) ahead of a planned deployment later this year.

During COMPTUEX, the carrier, its escorts and the carrier air wing demonstrate they are ready to deploy overseas.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Machinist Mate (Nuclear) 3rd Class Albi Jakova discharges a CO2 bottle on a sponson aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on July 31, 2019. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier:
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 1

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class David Divito, assigned to the “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72, attaches a hose to the main rotor head of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on July 30, 2019. US Navy Photo

CVW 1 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Harry S. Truman and includes nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Checkmates” of VFA-211 from Naval Air Station Oceania, Va.
  • The “Sunliners” of VFA-81 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Knighthawks” of VFA-136 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Seahawks” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 126 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Dragon Slayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM 72) from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Destroyer Squadron 28

Sailors assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG-99) watch a lightning storm at night on July 9, 2019. US Navy Photo

The leadership of DESRON 28 is embarked aboard Harry S. Truman and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

  • USS Farragut (DDG-99), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Lassen (DDG-98), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Ramage (DDG-84), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Guided-missile Cruiser
USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

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.

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