USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 18, 2021

October 18, 2021 1:18 PM
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 Oct. 18, 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:

294

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
67 33 100

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 3 2 16 15 63 99

In Yokosuka, Japan

Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class Austin Bullock, from Swansboro, N.C., mans the rails of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) returns to Yokosuka, Japan from a five-month deployment. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group has returned to its homeport in Yokosuka, Japan after completing its spring patrol.

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

Carrier Air Wing 5

Family and friends of sailors celebrate as USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), returns to Yokosuka, Japan. 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-12 – 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
USS Shiloh (CG-67), homeported in Yokosuka.

Destroyer Squadron 15

Gas Turbine Systems Technician (Mechanical) 3rd Class Darel McGee, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Halsey (DDG-97), reunites with his wife and meets his daughter for the first time after the ship returned to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, on Oct. 4, 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 Ronald Reagan on its patrol, but the CSG included:

  • USS Halsey (DDG-97), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Halsey pulled into Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on Oct. 4, ending its five-month deployment, according to U.S. 3rd Fleet.

In the Bay of Bengal

An F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, assigned to the ‘Wake Island Avengers’ of Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VFMA) 211, launches from the flight deck of U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R-08), while the ship steams alongside Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), and Japan Maritime Self- Defense Force Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Kaga (DDH-184), as the ships transit the Bay of Bengal as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) on Oct. 17, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group is in the Bay of Bengal after completing the second phase of the Malabar exercise between the U.S., Australia, Japan and India last week.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday hosted 12 senior Indian Navy officers aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on Oct. 14 during Malabar. Exercise Malabar was first conducted in 1992 and this year includes the Royal Australian Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Indian Navy and U.S. Navy forces.

The Carl Vinson CSG deployed on Aug. 2, operating in U.S. 7th Fleet. This is the first U.S. Navy deployment of F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and the Navy’s new CMV-22B Osprey carrier onboard delivery aircraft.

Aircraft carrier
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 2

Two F/A-18E Super Hornets, assigned to the ‘Golden Dragons’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192, fly over the Bay of Bengal as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021 on Oct. 17, 2021. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 2, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., is embarked aboard Carl Vinson and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Argonauts” of VFA-147 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F-35Cs from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Bounty Hunters” of VFA-2 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Stingers” of VFA-113 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Golden Dragons” of VFA-192 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Gauntlets” of VAQ-136 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Black Eagles” of VAW-113 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Titans” of VRM-30 – CMV-22B – Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Black Knights” of HSC-4 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station North Island.
  • The “Blue Hawks” of HSM-78 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

USS Lake Champlain (CG-57), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 1

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), U.K. Royal Navy Richmond-class frigate HMS Richmond (F-239), and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Lake Champlain (CG-57) sail together as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021 on Oct. 17, 2021. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 1 is based in San Diego and is embarked on the carrier.

  • USS Dewey (DDG-105), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
  • USS O’Kane (DDG-77), homeported in San Diego.
  • USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  • USS Chafee (DDG-90), homeported in Pearl Harbor.
  • USS Stockdale (DDG-106), homeported in San Diego.
Naval Air Crewman (Mechanical) 2nd Class James Skelley, right, a native of Greenfield, Ind., assigned to the ‘Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30, briefs Sailors assigned to U.K. Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth (R08) as part of Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) 2021, on Oct. 17, 2021. US Navy Photo

The U.K. Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, entered the Bay of Bengal on Friday.

The U.K. Carrier Strike Group includes: Type 23 anti-submarine frigates HMS Richmond (F239) and HMS Kent (F78); Type 45 guided-missile destroyers HMS Defender (D36) and HMS Diamond (D34); Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s RFA Fort Victoria and RFA Tidespring; U.S. destroyer USS The Sullivans (DDG-68); and Dutch frigate HNLMS Evertsen (F805). The CSG has been accompanied by the nuclear attack boat HMS Artful (S121). The “Wake Island Avengers” of U.S. Marine Corps Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 211 are embarked and integrated with the Royal Air Force 617 Squadron “The Dambusters.”

In the Persian Gulf

Seaman Griffin Rineer, left, and Seaman Jude Chukwuobasi participate in small boat operations aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD-2) on Oct. 13, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Essex Amphibious Ready Group with the embarked 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit deployed Aug. 12 and continues to operate in the Persian Gulf.

The ARG is comprised of three ships: landing helicopter dock USS Essex (LHD-2), amphibious transport dock USS Portland (LPD-27) and amphibious dock landing ship USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52). Together, the 11th MEU, Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 1 and ships are designated as an ARG/MEU. In addition to the ships, the principal Navy elements of the ARG are a Naval Beach Group element, the Tactical Air Control Squadron element, a fleet surgical team and a helicopter sea combat squadron element.

The 11th MEU consists of four major components: a command element, a ground combat element, an aviation combat element, and a logistics combat element. The 11th MEU is comprised of Battalion Landing Team 1/1, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 165 (Reinforced), Marine Attack Squadron 214 and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

In the Western Atlantic

Seaman Isaac Lawrence, from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, stands lookout watch on the fantail of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Oct. 13, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is underway off the East Coast for pre-deployment training.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Makin Island (LHD-8) navigates the San Diego Bay after getting underway, Oct. 13, 2021. US Navy Photo

USS Makin Island (LHD-8) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

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.

Get USNI News updates delivered to your inbox