USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 25, 2019

November 25, 2019 10:09 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 Nov. 25, 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:

292

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
55 36 91

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
4 4 1 19 16 56 100

In Yokosuka, Japan

Lt. Celsius Offor, a chaplain aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), speaks to sailors prior to a community relations project on Nov. 7, 2019 in Yokosuka, Japan. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Western Pacific

Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) steams forward in the eastern Pacific Ocean. US Navy Photo

Amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) is now operating in U.S. 7th Fleet on route its new homeport of Sasebo, Japan.

In the Persian Gulf

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), left, the air-defense destroyer HMS Defender (D 36) and the guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG-99) transit the Strait of Hormuz with the guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) on Nov. 19, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in the Persian Gulf. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) had departed its old homeport of Norfolk, Va., in April and will shift homeports to 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.

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 launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Nov. 22, 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

Coastal Riverine Squadron (CRS) 1 provides Anti-Terrorism Force Protection (ATFP) for the USS Farragut (DDG-99) in the Gulf of Tadjoura on Nov. 1, 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 CSG.

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

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Keith Warner observes an AH-1Z Viper helicopter, assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, landing aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) on Nov. 7., 2019. US Navy Photo

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Nimitz (CVN-68), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Makin Island (LHD-8) are underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

Marine Corps Cpl. Jesse Garcia, a UH-1Y Venom crew chief with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 163 (Reinforced), 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), passes the San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) in a Venom during an air power demonstration on NOv. 19, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) is nearing Southern California for the completion of a deployment that began on May 1.

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 Western Atlantic

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), front, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG-82) transit the Atlantic Ocean. Harry S. Truman is underway conducting composite training unit exercise with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group on July 18, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is underway and will ultimately take Abraham Lincoln’s place in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. This deployment will be Truman‘s second in two years, after a 2018 deployment.

“The Truman returned to sea November 18th in order to re-integrate the carrier and air wing after several months of maintenance, and is making final preparations to ensure the carrier, air wing, and Sailors are operationally ready for deployment,” Cmdr. Ashley Hockycko told USNI News on Nov. 19.
“The carrier strike group has maintained a high level of readiness since returning from deployment in December 2018 and have recently completed carrier qualifications aboard USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74).”

Carrier Strike Group 8

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, lands on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) in the Atlantic Ocean on Nov. 9, 2019. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing 1 is based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., and embarked on Harry S. Truman:

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

The Navy has not announced what escorts will accompany the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) as it heads east for deployment. Destroyer Squadron 28, USS Lassen (DDG-82), USS Farragut (DDG-99), and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) are the escorts that worked up with the CSG; however, they are already in the Persian Gulf supporting the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Nicholas Dueitt, from San Diego, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) weapons department, stands fast with a sound-powered telephone on Ford’s flight deck on Nov. 23, 2019. US Navy Photo

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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