USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 23, 2019

September 23, 2019 12:21 PM - Updated: September 30, 2019 10:32 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 Sept. 23, 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
49 38 87

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 1 1 19 19 59 100

In the Philippine Sea

An F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). US Navy Photo

Forward-deployed carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway in the Philippine Sea.

In the Indian Ocean

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Adam Doyle checks for hot spots during an aviation fire drill on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4). US Navy Photo

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is in the Indian Ocean.

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).

Marines with Kilo Company, Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), prepare to board a CH-53E Super Stallion attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th MEU, during a training exercise aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) on Sept. 17, 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 Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

In the North Arabian Sea

An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Sept. 16, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is in the North Arabian Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Sailors stand in formation during a chief petty officer pinning ceremony in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Sept. 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-18F Super Hornet attached to the Jolly Rogers of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Sept. 16, 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

Fire Controlman (Aegis) 2nd Class Joshua Farris uses a needle gun to chip paint aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) on Aug. 29. 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

  • USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Western Atlantic

Aviation Structural Mechanic 2nd Class Courtney Turner, from Zion, Illinois, left, and Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Mariella Gonzales, from Beaverton, Oregon, install blade clamps on an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter assigned to the “Vipers” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 48 on the flight deck aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72) during a Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise with other U.S. Navy warships. US Navy Photo

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is conducting a Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP). TSTA is an early unit-level step in the work-up for deployment. It prepares the ship and crew for full integration into a carrier strike group.

In the Eastern Pacific

Sailors participate in a line handling evolution on the fantail of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Sept. 15, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas supporting carrier qualifications.

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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