USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 7, 2019

October 7, 2019 10:37 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 Oct. 7, 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
58 24 82

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 0 2 18 20 59 99

In the South China Sea

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), left, and the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-6) and ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group are underway in formation while conducting security and stability operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 6, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the South China Sea with Carrier Air Wing 5 embarked. The CSG, led by USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) also includes forward-deployed Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruisers and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers from Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15.

Carrier Air Wing 5

USS Boxer (LHD-6), left, is underway as the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) conducts flight operations while conducting security and stability operations in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations on Oct. 6, 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
Sailors and Marines aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) secure a CH-53E Super Stallion attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (reinforced) to the portside elevator during Tiger Strike 2019. Oct. 5, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Reagan CSG is operating jointly with the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group in the South China Sea.

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

In the North Arabian Sea

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Gabriela Mejia uses a sound-powered telephone to communicate with sailors while they maintain a jet blast deflector on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Sept. 30, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln CSG is in the North Arabian Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) run on the flight deck during a 5K hosted by the Chiefs Mess on Sept. 29, 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 MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter attached to the Nightdippers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 transports cargo to the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during a replenishment-at-sea with the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) on Sept. 27, 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

Sailors simulate finding the source of a fire during a general quarters drill aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Mason (DDG-87) on Sept 26, 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 Eastern Pacific

Marines assigned to the ‘Flying Leathernecks’ of Marine Fighter Squadron (VMFA) 122 perform maintenance on an F-35B Lightning II on the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) on Oct. 3, 2019. US Navy Photo

The America ARG is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

USS Wasp (LHD-1) is underway in Eastern Pacific – headed around the horn – and now in the Southern Command Area of Responsibility and Commander, 4th Fleet. With Wasp transiting to a new homeport in Norfolk from Japan, the Southern Command commander said Friday he wants to squeeze as much utility as possible out of the transit through SOUTHCOM. Wasp and other big deck amphibs are frequently used to provide humanitarian assistance in the Caribbean and South America.

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter assigned to the ‘Blackjacks’ Helicopter Sea Combat squadron (HSC) 21, takes off from the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) on Sept. 26, 2019. US Navy Photo

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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