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

December 24, 2019 9:40 AM - Updated: December 24, 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 Dec. 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:

293

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
40 11 51

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
4 2 1 19 16 55 97

In Japan

Lt. Celsius Offor, a chaplain aboard the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Dec. 19, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka. USS America (LHA-6) is in port in Sasebo.

In the South China Sea

USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) maneuvers alongside the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) prior to a replenishment-at-sea. Chancellorsville is forward-deployed to the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations in support of security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region on Dec. 21, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group has transited the Singapore Strait and is headed into the South China Sea. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is headed east and will ultimately arrive in its new homeport of San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Sailors hold a phone and distance line aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) during a replenishment-at-sea with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Dec. 21, 2019. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeport will shift to San Diego, Calif., upon completion of deployment

Carrier Air Wing 7

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Princes Rosit directs aircraft on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Dec. 13, 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.

Cruiser

USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with the Henry J. Kaiser-class fleet replenishment oiler USNS Big Horn (T-AO-198) on Dec. 7, 2019. US Navy Photo

Japan-based guided-missile cruiser USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) has been operating with carrier Lincoln.

In the North Arabian Sea

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), left, the fast combat support ship USNS Supply (T-AOE-6), and the guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) transit the Bab al-Mandeb Strait behind the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), not pictured on Dec. 19, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman CSG is in the North Arabian Sea and within the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. The CSG has taken the Abraham Lincoln CSG’s place in 5th Fleet. This deployment is the Truman Strike Group‘s second in two years.

Carrier Strike Group 8

MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopters attached to the Dragon Slayers of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 transport cargo to the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), front, from the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8) during a replenishment-at-sea in the Arabian Sea on Dec. 21, 2019. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

Ens. Logan Sellers, from Burns Flat, Oklahoma, controls the Situation Awareness System on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Arabian Sea on Dec. 19, 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.
  • 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.

Destroyer Squadron 28

Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 3rd Class Christopher Braatenkapsch stands the electronic warfare console operator watch in the combat information center of the guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) as the ship transits the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on Dec. 17, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Lassen (DDG-82), USS Farragut (DDG-99) and USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) were supporting the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group; however, they are now expected to serve as part of the Harry S. Truman CSG. Lincoln is now operating with cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60).

In the Western Atlantic

USS Bataan (LHD-5) sails in the Atlantic Ocean during Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) on Nov. 1, 2019. US Marine Corps Photo

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked has deployed. The ARG is commanded by Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8 and is made up of amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5), amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD-21) and dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).

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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