USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 7, 2021

June 7, 2021 9:44 AM - Updated: June 14, 2021 9:27 AM
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 June 7, 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
49 22 71

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 1 2 21 20 54 98

In the Philippine Sea

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Wilson David, right, from North Conway, New Hampshire, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Jaylen Patterson, from Atlanta, browse the inventory of the ship’s store aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). US Navy Photo

The Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) completed carrier qualifications and commenced its spring operational patrol on May 29.

The Japan-based CSG 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

Capt. Fred Goldhammer, commanding officer of the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), speaks to sailors during a Battle of Midway observation event on June 6, 2021. 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

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Apprentice Vincent Sarkissian, from Boston, verifies the weight of an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on June 4, 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 VFA-27 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) – 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 VAQ-141 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Tigertails” of VAW-125 – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Providers” of VRC-30 – Detachment 5 – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
  • The “Golden Falcons” of HSC-5 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Facility Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Saberhawks” of HSM-77 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan

Cruiser

Guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG-67) steams in the Philippine Sea on May 29, 2021. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 15

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.
Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Eduardo Aceves, right, from Los Angeles, and Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 1st Class Emmanuel Bonsu, from Bronx, N.Y., both assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6) conduct flight operations with F-35B Lightning from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) on June 5, 2021. US Navy Photo

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

In the North Arabian Sea

Sailors practice hose handling techniques during a general quarters training exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Arabian Sea on June 3, 2021. US Navy Photo

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), Carrier Air Wing 3 and IKE’s escorts have been operating in the North Arabian Sea since arriving in U.S. Central Command in early April.

The Eisenhower CSG is expected to return from its deployment when the Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrives later this summer to support the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Carrier Strike Group 2

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, attached to the “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, delivers cargo on to the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) during a vertical replenishment-at-sea in the Arabian Sea on June 4, 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

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, attached to the ‘Dusty Dogs’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7, delivers cargo on to the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) during a vertical replenishment-at-sea in the Arabian Sea on June 4, 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

Damage Controlman 2nd Class Douglas Perez, left, and Yeoman 3rd Class Charlie Bazemore, right, carry Lt. Vinnie Scanga from a simulated aircraft fire aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), while the ship is conducting operations in the Arabian Sea on May 23, 2021. US Navy Photo
  • USS Monterey (CG-61), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Vella Gulf (CG-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 22

USS Laboon (DDG-58) sails in the Sea of Crete on May 28, 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

A MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, attached to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 162 (Reinforced), prepare for flight operations aboard amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) in the Red Sea on June 2, 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 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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