USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 20, 2020

July 20, 2020 10:59 AM - Updated: July 21, 2020 6:14 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 July 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:

301

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
62 24 86

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
4 3 5 20 11 62 105

In Japan

Machinery Repairman 3rd Class Eric Million, from Muskogee, Okla., and Fireman Justin Jean, from Miami, Fla., operate a metal lathe while machining threads onto a zinc rod aboard U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) on July 20, 2020. US Navy Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) is in port in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Sulu Sea

Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class Kayla Conigliaro, from Visma, Calif., secures an inspected communication device for an FA-18E Super Hornet pilot assigned to the ‘Eagles’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in the Sulu Sea, transiting north through the Philippine Islands.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Sailors prepare to launch an MH-60R Sea Hawk, attached to the ‘Saberhawks’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, from the flight deck of the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). July 16, 2020. US Navy Photo

Yokosuka-based CSG 5 commands the Reagan Carrier Strike Group and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

Carrier Air Wing 5

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INDIAN OCEAN (July 11, 2020) An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the ‘Diamondbacks’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 launches from the flight deck of the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). July 11, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 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
  • The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 Det 5 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 from Naval Station Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Station Atsugi

Cruiser
USS Antietam (CG-54), homeported in Yokosuka

Destroyer Squadron 15

Interior Communications Electrician 3rd Class Lovensky Etienne, from Fort Myers, Fla., removes a fuse from a fuse box aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89). US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 15 is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and is embarked on the carrier. U.S. 7th Fleet has not fully specified the escorts accompanying Reagan on its patrol, but the CSG includes:

  • USS Mustin (DDG-89), homeported in Yokosuka

In the Indian Ocean

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) transits the Balabac Strait. US Navy Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) deployed on June 8 as the centerpiece of the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) and is currently operating in the Indian Ocean. It is anticipated the Nimitz CSG will continue to transit across the Indian Ocean to U.S. 5th Fleet.

Carrier Strike Group 11

An F/A-18C Hornet, from the ‘Death Rattlers’ of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 323 sits in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on July 15, 2020. US Navy Photo

San Diego-based CSG 11 commands the Nimitz CSG and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier
USS Nimitz (CVN-68), homeported in Bremerton, Wash.

Carrier Air Wing 17

Sailors prepare to conduct flight operations on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on July 14, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing 17, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., is embarked on Nimitz and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Redcocks” of VFA 22 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) F/A-18F Super Hornet – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Kestrels” of VFA137 F/A-18 E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Mighty Shrike” of VFA 94 F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Death Rattlers” of VMFA-323 F/A-18C – from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar San Diego, Calif.
  • The “Cougars” of VAQ-139 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) EA-18G Growlers – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island – Wash.
  • The “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 –Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) E2C Hawkeye – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of VRC-30 – Detachment – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) C-2 – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Screamin’ Indians” of HSC-6 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) MH-60S– from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Battlecats” of HSM-73 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Cruiser
USS Princeton (CG-59), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 9

USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114) steams near the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea on July 14, 2020. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 9 is based at Naval Station Everett, Wash. The DESRON commodore and staff are embarked on Nimitz.

  • USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
  • USS Sterett (DDG-104), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114) homeported in Everett, Wash.

In the Red Sea

Information Systems Technician 2nd Class Grace Shoulders performs network backups aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on July 16, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group has departed the North Arabian Sea and is now in the Red Sea. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has been at sea consecutively for 185 days.

Carrier Strike Group 10

An F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the ‘Gunslingers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron 105 prepares to land on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on July 15, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

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

Carrier Air Wing

A C-2A Greyhound assigned to the Rawhides of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 prepares to take off from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on July 15, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing 3, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., 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), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
USS San Jacinto (CG-56), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 26

Seaman Fernando Reyes, assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103), stands watch in the pilot house on July 7, 2020. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 26 is based at Norfolk, and its leaders are embarked on Eisenhower.

  • USS Stout (DDG-55), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
  • USS James E. Williams (DDG-95), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Truxtun (DDG-103), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Eastern Pacific

Lt. Michael Dodenhoff, assigned to the ‘Vigilantes’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 151, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) marking Abraham Lincoln’s 200,000th arrested landing. US Navy Photo

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and the USS Essex (LHD-2) are underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In Norfolk, Va., and Camp Lejeune, N.C.

USS Bataan (LHD-5) returns to homeport at Norfolk, Va., July 18, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are now home.

The 26th MEU returned to Camp Lejeune, N.C. The MEU disembarked from USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Oak Hill (LSD-51) and USS New York (LPD-21) after spending more than 150 consecutive days at sea.

Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) disembark from the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) on MV-22B Ospreys, attached to the ‘Blue Knights’ of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (Reinforced), from the ship’s flight deck on July 13, 2020. US Navy Photo

The MEU is made up of Battalion Landing Team 2/8, Combat Logistics Battalion 26 and Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 365 (reinforced) based out of Camp Lejeune.

Dock landing ship Oak Hill returned to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek in Virginia Beach on Wednesday, according to a release from U.S. 2nd Fleet. Amphibious assault ship Bataan and amphibious transport dock New York arrived at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

“The San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship New York is expected to return to Naval Station Mayport, Florida in the coming days,” according to the Navy.

In the Western Atlantic

USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) sails towards its homeport after completing a successful underway on April 04, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) is underway 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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