USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 3, 2021

June 3, 2021 9:46 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 June 3, 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:

296

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
53 22 75

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 3 2 21 20 53 99

In the Philippine Sea

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Eduardo Aceves, from Los Angeles, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), signals an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) to launch off the ship’s flight deck on May 29, 2021. US Navy Photo

After completing its winter maintenance period in Yokosuka, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway. The Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) completed carrier qualifications and commenced its spring operational patrol on May 29.

The CSG based in Japan will make a rare deployment to U.S. Central Command to support the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan later this summer, two defense officials confirmed to USNI News last month.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Explosive Ordnance Disposal 3rd Class Ethan Tews, from Green Bay, Wisc., assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5, attached to Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, prepares for fast-rope training from an MH-60S Seahawk attached to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 onto the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). 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 F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the ‘Diamondbacks’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 102 prepares to land on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). May 30, 2021. 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) from 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 Detachment 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

Capt. Sharif Calfee, commander of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG-67), presents the central control station (CCS) to Vice Adm. Bill Merz, Commander, 7th Fleet and Fleet Master Chief Jason Haka during an underway visit on June 2, 2021. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 15

Guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG-97) receives fuel from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during a fueling-at-sea on June 1, 2021. 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 Halsey (DDG-97), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Cosme Zamora, from Compton, Calif., assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) on May 28, 2021. US Navy Photo

Japan-based big deck amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) is underway.

In the North Arabian Sea

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Carrier Air Wing 3 and IKE’s escorts are operating in the North Arabian Sea after arriving in U.S. Central Command in early April to support the ongoing anti-ISIS Operation Inherent Resolve. The White House has set a Sept. 11, 2021, date to complete a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Earlier in May, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday said Iran’s behavior and the ongoing review of U.S. world military presence would determine how carriers would operate in the Middle East after the Afghan withdrawal.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Aviation Ordnanceman 3rd Class Amber Krolicki makes adjustments prior to mounting ordnance onto an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter, attached to the ‘Gunslingers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Arabian Sea on May 31, 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

Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Pitcock, left, Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Shantell Santiago, center, and Lt. Nicholas Macklin, back, watch an F/A-18E Super Hornet fighter jet, attached to the ‘Wildcats’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 131, approach the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) during flight operations in the Arabian Sea on May 25, 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

Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61) fire M4 carbine rifles during a gun salute in observance of Memorial Day in the Arabian Sea on May 31, 2021. US Navy Photo
  • USS Monterey (CG-61), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 22

Logistics Specialist Seaman Jenna Werner, assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Laboon (DDG-58), fires a M9 pistol during a live-fire weapons qualification course in the Arabian Sea on May 16, 2021. US Navy Photo

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 Red Sea

USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) prepares to pass under the Al Salam Bridge during a strait transit of the Suez Canal on June 1, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit made a Suez transit on June 1 and are now in the Red Sea operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

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 the Western Atlantic

Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753) is conducting a port visit in Valletta, Malta on May 17, 2021. Coast Guard Photo

The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL-753) will return to Charleston, S.C., tomorrow after a three-month mission to U.S. 6th Fleet.

After leaving the East Coast on Feb. 28, “Hamilton stopped in Puerto Rico and then headed toward Rota, Spain, with two Sentinel-class fast response cutters, USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC-1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC-1142) in the Trans-Atlantic leg of the fast response cutters’ 9,000-mile voyage to homeport in Bahrain and service at Patrol Forces Southwest Asia,” the Coast Guard said in a release.
Hamilton entered the Mediterranean Sea on April 15 and the Black Sea on April 27 to support NATO Allies and partners. Hamilton was the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter in the Black Sea was USCGC Dallas (WHEC-716) and sailed to the Black Sea twice, once in 2008 and 1995.”

After departing the Black Sea, Hamilton made port calls in Malta and Spain before heading across the Atlantic.

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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