USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 14, 2021

June 14, 2021 11:03 AM
USNI News Illustration

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 14, 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
62 39 101

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 2 2 22 18 53 98

In the Philippine Sea

Sailors signal to dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE-6) from the hangar bay of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on June 13, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) commenced its spring operational patrol on May 29 and is operating in the Philippine Sea. The Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is expected to support the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan later this summer.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Aviation Electronics Technician 1st Class Michael Forshay, left, from Granville, Michigan, and Aviation Maintenance Administrationman 1st Class Kurt Mariano, from San Diego, inventory supplies in the hangar bay of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during a replenishment-at-sea evolution with dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE 6) on June 13, 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

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 June 14, 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) conducts carrier strike group integrated operations USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on June 10, 2021. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 15

Visit board search and seizure (VBSS) team members from the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Shiloh (CG-67) depart aboard a rigid hull inflatable boat (RHIB) headed for the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG-97) to conduct an exercise on June 8, 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.

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

In the North Arabian Sea

Aircrew Survival Equipmentman 3rd Class Marc Pitts performs maintenance on life preserver units aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) in the Arabian Sea on June 8, 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

Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 2nd Class Blake Woodhead works on an antenna system aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on June 9, 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

AD3 Travis Duke performs a routine inspection on an E-2C Hawkeye. 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

USS Monterey (CG 61) fires a Mark 45 5-inch gun during a live-fire exercise in the Arabian Sea on June 2, 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) enters Black Sea on June 11, 2021. Photo by Yörük Işık‏ used with permission

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

Dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) is escorted into port by tug boats during a sustainment and logistics visit in Aqaba, Jordan on June 3, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) remain in the Red Sea, operating in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations. The ARG made a Suez transit on June 1. The ARG recently made port calls in Aqaba, Jordan ahead of Joint exercise Eager Lion.

“Eager Lion is an annual U.S. Central Command exercise in Jordan designed to strengthen military-to-military relationships between the U.S., Jordan and other international partners. This year’s iteration is comprised of about 7,200 military personnel from more than 20 nations that will respond to scenarios involving border security, command and control, cyber defense and battlespace management,” according to U.S. Central Command.

Landing Craft, Utility (LCU) 1661, attached to Assault Craft Unit (ACU) 2, enters the well deck of amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) during LCU operations in the Red Sea on June 6, 2021. US Navy Photo

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 Eastern Pacific

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate Fuel Handler Airman Ruben Marine, a native of Paris, Calif., wins a neck warmer from an United Service Organizations event aboard Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on June 1, 2021. US Navy Photo

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas. The crew received vaccinations in February in preparation for the carrier’s upcoming deployment.

In the Western Atlantic

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Cesar Reyes, from La Puente, California, rescues a dummy from a F/A-18 Hornet attached to the ‘Cowboys’ of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 112, during a simulated aircraft fire on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) during Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP). US Navy Photo

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) are underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas.

Truman recently completed a ten-month maintenance period at Norfolk Naval Shipyard and is beginning the basic pre-deployment training cycle. With Carrier Air Wig One embarked, the ship is conducting a Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and Final Evaluation Problem (FEP).

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Star Freeman, from Houston, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Lassen’s (DDG-82) deck department, stands lee helmsman on Lassen’s bridge on June 10, 2021. Lassen is underway in the Atlantic Ocean supporting USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) Full Ship Shock Trials. US Navy Photo

Ford is preparing for shock trials later this summer.

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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