USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 18, 2019

November 18, 2019 11:48 AM - Updated: November 20, 2019 6:33 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 Nov. 18, 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
50 27 77

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 7 1 19 16 55 99

In Yokosuka, Japan

Rear Adm. Brent W. Scott, the U.S. Navy Chief of Chaplains, talks to sailors aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Nov. 6, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan. Squadrons from the forward-deployed Carrier Air Wing 5, which had deployed with the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group, have returned to their home airfields at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Naval Air Station Atsugi.

In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Joseph Lewis, left, from Newnan, Ga., and U.S. Marine Corps Dontavious Baxter, from Edgemoor, S.C., both assigned to the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), render salutes while the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) passes the Battleship Missouri Memorial and the USS Arizona Memorial upon entering Pearl Harbor on Nov. 13 2019. US Navy Photo

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) arrived in Pearl Harbor on Nov. 13. The ARG/MEU is expected to get underway today and complete its transit to San Diego, Calif. The units left California on May 1 for a deployment to the Middle East and Pacific.

Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 5 is the ARG commander. In addition to amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4), the ARG also includes dock landing ship USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and 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 is comprised of Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Attack Squadron 214 equipped with the AV-8B Harrier; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

In the North Arabian Sea

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Jessica Wanamaker services an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the ‘Griffins’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Nov. 12, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is in the North Arabian Sea. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va. (shifting to San Diego, Calif., upon completion of deployment). USS Harry S Truman (CVN-75) is expected to deploy this week and will, ultimately, take Lincoln’s place in U.S. Central Command. This deployment will be Truman‘s second within two years, after a 2018 deployment.

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 “Pukin’ Dogs” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Nov. 12, 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 28

Seaman Terrence Joiner, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG-82), directs an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter attached to the ‘Proud Warriors’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72 on the flight deck on Nov. 7, 2019. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 28 — USS Lassen (DDG-82), USS Farragut (DDG-99) and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) — are now supporting the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

Guided-missile Cruiser
USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Eastern Pacific

A Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey assigned to Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW), departs the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) on Oct. 10, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.
USS America (LHA-6) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In the Western Atlantic

Hull Maintenance Technician Fireman Briana Otero, from San Antonio, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) engineering department, lights an oxyacetylene torch prior to cutting sheet metal in the ship’s machinery repair shop on Nov. 13, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) is underway in the Western Atlantic en route to the amphibious assault ship’s new homeport of Norfolk, Va. It was just over two years ago, on Aug. 30, 2017, that Wasp departed Norfolk for a new home at Naval Base Sasebo, Japan.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is underway for an independent steaming period 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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