USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 5, 2021

April 5, 2021 10:35 AM - Updated: April 12, 2021 10:42 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 April 5, 2021, 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:

297

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
60 12 72

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 3 2 19 20 57 101

In Japan

Sparky the Fire Dog, the Easter Bunny, and Yoko-Pon, Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka’s (CFAY) mascot, kick off the Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Easter Parade at Purdy Gym on April 3, 2021. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan. Reagan, which is the service’s forward-deployed carrier, pulled into its homeport of Yokosuka on Nov. 14. Japan-based U.S. carriers typically make two shorter patrols every year, with a winter maintenance period in Yokosuka.

Reagan’s selected restricted availability (SRA) is more than 50-percent complete, according to Naval Sea Systems Command.

The SRA is being “conducted by Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (PSNS) & Intermediate Maintenance Facility (IMF) Detachment Yokosuka employees, along with PSNS & IMF and Norfolk Naval Shipyard employees on temporary duty to Japan and Ship Repair Facility,” reads a statement from Naval Sea Systems Command.
“Major work completed so far during the SRA includes non-skid replacement on the flight deck and hangar bay, aircraft elevator repair, and various valve and component repairs.”

In the South China Sea

A MH-60S Knight Hawk, assigned to the ‘Eightballers’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8, flies above the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on March 31, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group drilled with the Indian Navy and Air Force last week and is now in the South China Sea off Malaysia.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Navy Chief Interior Communications Electrician Jeremy Allbritton, from Downsville, La., proctors the Navy-wide advancement exam aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on March 30, 2021. 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

Sailors test the propellers of an E-2C Hawkeye, assigned to the ‘Liberty Bells’ of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115, on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on March 30, 2021. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., 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), front, transits alongside the Royal Australian Navy support ship HMAS Sirius (O 266), center, and the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during a replenishment-at-sea on March 31, 2021. US Navy Photo
  • USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23

USS John Finn (DDG 113) returns to Naval Base San Diego. John Finn, a part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, returned to Naval Base San Diego on April 2, 2021 after the ship’s maiden deployment to U.S. 7th Fleet. US Navy Photo

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

  • USS Russell (DDG-59), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS John Finn (DDG-113), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

In the Indian Ocean

Navy chief petty officers and Marine Corps staff noncommissioned officers, with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, who have been accepted into to the Chiefs Mess, pose for a photo in celebration of the chief petty officer birthday aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) April 1, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group and the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) have departed the U.S. Central Command and U.S. Fifth Fleet area of operations. They are now operating in the Indian Ocean in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations. The three-ship amphibious ready group with the 15th MEU embarked is on the tail end of its deployment to the Middle East and Pacific and is headed back to the West Coast.

The ARG includes amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and amphibious transport docks USS San Diego (LPD-22) and USS Somerset (LPD-25). The 15th MEU includes the Command Element; the Aviation Combat Element composed of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced); the Ground Combat Element composed of Battalion Landing Team 1/4; and the Logistics Combat Element composed of Combat Logistics Battalion 15. Other units include Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Beach Master Unit 1, and Fleet Surgical Team 1 from San Diego and Assault Craft Unit 5 from Camp Pendleton, Calif.

In the Red Sea

On Friday, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group transited the Suez Canal and is now operating in U.S. 5th Fleet in the Red Sea. Last week, the CSG and its embarked air wing – Carrier Air Wing 3 – launched air missions as part of the international coalition’s anti-ISIS effort for Operation Inherent Resolve.

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) crossed the Suez after the Suez Canal authorities cleared the traffic backlog that resulted when the massive container ship Ever Given ran aground, blocking all canal traffic since Mar. 23. Leth Agencies, a ship services provider in the canal, said 527 vessels had cleared the waterway since Ever Given was re-floated on March 29.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Master-at-Arms 1st Class Andrew Eickholt, left, and Airman Edwin Rivera stand security watch on the flight deck as the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transits the Suez Canal on April 2, 2021. US Navy Photo

Norfolk-based CSG 2 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 3

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transits the Suez Canal on April 2, 2021. 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 “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA-32 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Gunslingers” of VFA-105 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Wildcats” of VFA-131 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.

Cruisers

Guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61), left, and the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) sail behind the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) during a Suez Canal transit on April 2, 2021. US Navy Photo
  • USS Monterey (CG-61), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va.*
    *The cruiser has been pier-side in Norfolk, Va., undergoing repairs since late February.

Destroyer Squadron 22
Destroyer Squadron 22 is based at Norfolk and its leaders are embarked on Eisenhower.

  • USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), homeported in Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Laboon (DDG-58), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Mitscher (DDG-57), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Mahan (DDG-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va

In the Eastern Atlantic

An MV-22 Osprey prepares to land on the flight deck during Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) aboard the USS Iwo Jima on Mar. 17, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed on Mar. 25 and are now operating in the Eastern Atlantic under U.S. 6th Fleet.

Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) and amphibious transport dock USS San Antonio (LPD-17) make up the ARG. Embarked detachments for the Iwo Jima ARG include Amphibious Squadron Four, Fleet Surgical Team (FST) Six, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, Tactical Air Control Squadron (TACRON) 21, Naval Beach Group (NBG) Two, Beach Master Unit (BMU) Two, Assault Craft Unit (ACU) Two and Four, and Sailors from Amphibious Construction Battalion (ACB) Two.

The 24th MEU, which is headquartered at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C., consists of a ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team (BLT) 1/8, a logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion (CLB) 24, and an aviation combat element, Medium Tilt-Rotor Squadron (VMM) 162 Reinforced. The 24th MEU also includes a Light Armored Reconnaissance detachment.

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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