USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 20, 2020

January 20, 2020 10:24 AM - Updated: February 10, 2020 4:11 PM
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 Jan. 20, 2020, 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
36 32 68

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 2 1 25 11 54 93

In Japan

An F-35B Lightning II assigned to the ‘Dragons’ of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265 (Reinforced) lands on the flight deck of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) on Jan. 15, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

In the North Arabian Sea

Master Chief Machinist Mate Jaston Bowie, from Langston, Oklahoma, recites Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 16, 2020.US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Strike Group 8

Norfolk-based CSG 8 commands the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group and is embarked on the carrier.

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

A C-2A Greyhound, attached to the ‘Rawhides’ of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40, prepares for takeoff on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 10, 2020. 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.

Cruiser

USS Normandy (CG 60) transits the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in front of the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Dec. 17, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 28
Destroyer Squadron 28 is based at Norfolk, Va., and its leaders are embarked on Truman.

  • USS Lassen (DDG-82), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Farragut (DDG-99), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Red Sea

The crew of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) participate in an all-hands foreign object debris (FOD) walkdown on the flight deck on Jan. 17 , 2020. US Navy Photo

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group, with the 2,500 Marines of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, is now in the Red Sea near Jordan.

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 the Eastern Pacific

Ens. Jorge Miguel, ship’s boatswain of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), kisses his fiancé, Diane Solis, at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, Calif., on Jan. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group deployed on Jan. 17 from San Diego, Calif. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) previously deployed from Oct. 2017 to May 2018. The deployment took the carrier to U.S. 5th Fleet, where its embarked aircraft flew 1,164 combat missions to support military operations in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan. Roosevelt and its CSG also operated in U.S. 7th Fleet, where they joined regional maritime security cooperation efforts.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), right, man the rails and render honors to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) as it leaves for deployment on Jan. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

The San Diego-based CSG 9 commands the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, assigned to the ‘Black Knights’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 154, launches from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) on Dec. 12, 2019. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., and is embarked aboard Theodore Roosevelt and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Tomcatters” of VFA-31 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Golden Warriors”” of VFA-87 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Black Knights” of VFA-154 from Naval Air Station Lemoore – Calif.
  • The “Gray Wolves” of VAQ-142 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island – Wash.
  • The “Liberty Bells” of VAW-115 – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of VRC-30 – Detachment – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Eight Ballers” of HSC-8 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Wolf Pack” of HSM-75 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Cruiser
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23

Sailors heave mooring line aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) on Jan. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego, Calif., and is embarked on the carrier.

Destroyers

  • USS Russell(DDG-59), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Pinckney (DDG-91), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Kidd (DDG-100), homeported in Everett, Wash.
  • USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

While the Roosevelt CSG has just left from San Diego, the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is heading in. The Abraham Lincoln strike group left Norfolk, Va., on April 1 and has been deployed for 295 days. This breaks the 290-day record for a carrier strike group deployment since the end of the Cold War set by the Lincoln CSG in 2003 in support of the invasion of Iraq.

Carrier Strike Group 12

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), along with embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, arrives at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Jan. 8, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Norfolk-based CSG 12 commands the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), now based in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 7

Lt. Masha Jolley, from Portland, Ore., assigned to the ‘Griffins’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79, embraces her wife, Erika Beaver, upon returning from deployment to Naval Air Station North Island (NASNI), San Diego, Calif. on Jan. 19, 2020. US Navy Photo

CVW 7, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., was 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.

USS Nimitz CVN-68 is off the coast of California for training.

In the Western Atlantic

Sailors aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) stand by prior to a fueling-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO-188) on Jan. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group is underway for training in the Virginia Capes for a composite training unit exercise (COMPTUEX) in preparation for deployment later this year.

A trio of allied frigates arrived in Norfolk ahead of the COMPTUEX and are expected to train with the CSG. These ships are the French anti-submarine frigate FS Normandie (D651), Royal Danish Navy frigate Iver Huitfeldt (F361) and Canadian Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ville de Quebec (FFH 332). Iver Huitfeldt will deploy with the strike group later this year.

Carrier Strike Group 10

Norfolk-based CSG 10 commands the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) conducts a fueling-at-sea with the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO -88) on Jan. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

Sailors operate the arresting gear as an EA-18G Growler, assigned to the ‘Zappers’ of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130, prepares to land on the flight deck the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on Jan. 18, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, based at Naval Air Station Oceana is embarked aboard Dwight D. Eisenhower and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Wildcats” of VFA-131 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Swordsmen” of VFA-32 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Rampagers” of VFA-83 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Zappers” of VAQ-130 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island – Wash.
  • The “Screwtops” of VAW-123 – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of VRC-40 – Detachment – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Dusty Dogs” of HSC-7 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Swamp Foxes” of HSM-74 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Cruiser
USS Vella Gulf (CG-72)

A T-45 Goshawk, assigned to Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23, lands aboard USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) flight deck on Jan. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) departed its homeport of Norfolk, January 16th to begin Aircraft Compatibility Testing (ACT) off the East Coast as the first aircraft, an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye landed aboard last week as part of the testing.

According to the Navy, “ACT continues the at-sea testing of Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS) and Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) — two Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) systems unique to Ford — previously conducted in 2018 by the F/A-18 E/F Super Hornet. During this upcoming phase of ACT, compatibility testing will include: T-45 Goshawks, F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets, and E/A-18G Growlers from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23); and E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes and C-2A Greyhounds, from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 20 (VX-20). This will be the first time the T-45, E-2D, C-2A and E/A-18G aircraft will launch and recover from the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier.”

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.

Get USNI News updates delivered to your inbox