USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 19, 2019

August 19, 2019 11:42 AM
USNI News Graphic

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. 19, 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

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
50 19 69

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 2 2 23 15 57 100

In the Philippine Sea

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) sails in the Philippine Sea while two MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopters assigned to the “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, embarked aboard Ronald Reagan, transit during a replenishment-at-sea. Ronald Reagan is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Strike Group 5

Aircraft carrier
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan

Carrier Air Wing 5

Sailors perform pre-flight checks on an E-2D Hawkeye from Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 on the flight deck aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during flight operations on Aug. 16, 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
Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Kris Fuentes performs corrective maintenance on a mark 38 25mm machine gun system before a gun shoot aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) Aug. 17, 2019. US Navy Photo

U.S. 7th Fleet has not named all the escorts for the Reagan CSG, but it includes Japan-based guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) USS Antietam (CG-54)

In the Red Sea

Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Christopher Hancock, right, assigned to Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), presents sword during a Corporals Course training event aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) Aug. 14, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is underway in the Red Sea. The ARG transited the Strait of Hormuz on Aug. 12 and recently passed through the Bab el Mandeb into the Red Sea.

During the Strait of Hormuz transit, Marine Corps LAV-25s were on deck to help fend off any attacks. The LAV-25 has a high-end targeting system that directs its 25 mm chain guns and M240 7.62 mm machine gun, reported Marine Corps Times.

Marine Corps Cpl. Taylor Poggione, from Bend, Ore., assigned to 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, pulls the blades of a CH-53E Super Stallion attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced) during flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) on Aug. 14, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

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).

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 North Arabian Sea

Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Rokeem Boswell conducts corrosion control on an F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Aug. 15, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway in the North Arabian Sea. Tensions remain high in the area in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Carrier Strike Group 12

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) receives cargo from the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) during an underway replenishment-at-sea on Aug. 16, 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

An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Aug. 14, 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

Lt. j.g. Katherine Smart, left, and Operations Specialist Seaman Recruit Henry Gesenhues stand watch aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) on Aug. 15, 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.
  • ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104), Ferrol Naval Base, Spain

Guided-missile Cruiser

Hull Maintenance Technician 2nd Class Spencer Barbeau verifies an expansion tank reading aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) on Aug. 5, 2019. US Navy Photo
  • USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Western Atlantic

Sailors pull combing onto the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) on Aug. 18, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) is underway for training in the Virginia Capes 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.

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