USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 5, 2020

October 5, 2020 10:38 AM - Updated: October 6, 2020 9:32 AM

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Oct. 5, 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:

296

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
56 26 82

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 7 4 21 14 54 100

In the Philippine Sea

Capt. Pat Hannifin, commanding officer, addresses the crew of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) during a change-of-command ceremony in the pilothouse on Oct. 1, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is operating in the Philippine Sea. Capt. Pat Hannifin, commanding officer of Reagan, turned over command to Capt. Fred Goldhammer during a change of command ceremony on Oct. 1.

Goldhammer, Reagan’s ninth commanding officer, is a U.S. Naval Academy graduate. He previously served as commanding officer of USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19). Hannifin’s next assignment will be at the Navy’s Air Warfare Division (OPNAV N98) in Washington, D.C.

Due to shipboard COVID-19 prevention measures, the change of command was held in Reagan’s pilothouse over the ship’s announcement system.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Sailors serve food during a steel beach picnic on the flight deck of the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Sept. 30, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

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

Carrier Air Wing 5

An EA-18G Growler attached to the ‘Shadowhawks’ of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 launches from the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Oct. 1, 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) 12 from Naval Facility Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi

Cruiser

Guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) steams in the Philippine Sea on Sept. 29, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 15

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Juancarlos Flores, from Los Fresnos, Texas , heave a line from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Mustin (DDG-89) on Sept. 7, 2020. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 15 is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and the staff 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 Persian Gulf

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Dominick ‘Onti’ Ontiveros, from Hesperia, Calif., on the bridge of USS Nimitz (CVN-68) operating in the Persian Gulf in Oct. 1, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is operating in the Persian Gulf. It is the first carrier to operate in the Persian Gulf since USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) made the Strait of Hormuz transit last November.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Seaman Antwon Brown, from Kingston, Jamaica, mans the helm on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Oct. 3, 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

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the ‘Kestrels’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Oct. 2, 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

Guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) steams in the Persian Gulf on Sept. 29, 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 Western Atlantic

Sailors conduct flight operations aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on Sept. 24, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas. The Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group returned home to Norfolk Naval Station, Va., on Aug. 9 after seven months operating in U.S. 5th and U.S. 6th Fleets. The Navy is considering a second deployment for IKE, and the CSG may work up and then deploy in the next few months.

Deck crew members stand watch during helicopter flight operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) on Sept. 14, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is underway off the coast of Florida. The carrier is in the midst of an 18-month post-delivery test and trials (PDT&T) period ahead of planned shock trials and its first deployment.

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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