USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: April 25, 2022

April 25, 2022 12:52 PM - Updated: April 25, 2022 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 April 25, 2022, 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:

298

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
54 16 70

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 0 3 13 26 70 112

In Japan

Capt. Douglas Graber, commanding officer of USS New Orleans (LPD-18), gives Adm. Ryo Sakai, chief of staff, Japan Maritime Self Defense Force, a tour of New Orleans on April 21, 2022. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan, conducting its annual winter maintenance availability. The carrier began a four-month selected restricted availability in Yokosuka on Jan. 13, following a five-month deployment to the Middle East and the Pacific.

“Employees from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard & Intermediate Maintenance Facility and Norfolk Naval Shipyard, along with the ship’s force and contractors, are working together in Japan to complete maintenance on the aircraft carrier,” according to a Navy statement.

Ships of the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) – which includes USS America (LHA-6), USS Green Bay (LPD-20) and USS Ashland (LSD-48) – are in port in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

A CMV-22B Osprey, carrying the U.S. ambassador to Japan, Hon. Rahm Emanuel, Japan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hayashi Yoshima, Commander, U.S. 7th Fleet, Vice Adm. Karl Thomas, Commander, Navy Region Japan/Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan Rear Adm. Carl Lahti, lands on Naval Air Facility (NAF) Atsugi following an official visit, to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on April 23, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in the Philippine Sea. U.S. fighters put on a display of naval air power Saturday over USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in the Philippine Sea for two distinguished visitors and U.S. 7th Fleet commander Vice Adm. Karl Thomas.

“U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi watched from the aircraft carrier’s flight deck as F-18 Super Hornets and F-35C Lightning II stealth fighters roared through maneuvers about 140 miles off the coast,” according to Stars and Stripes.
Thomas stressed the command has to worry about “China’s growing military capability and its willingness to flex its muscles in the South and East China seas; and North Korea’s steady stream of missile tests taking flight this year.”

“We’re all watching what’s happening in Europe, with Russian aggression. We’re watching China gain confidence and expand their exercises. Certainly, North Korea has launched more missiles recently,” Thomas said during a news conference aboard the carrier. “The key is deterrence, and I think you’re standing onboard a large piece of that deterrence.”

The Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group on Tuesday trained alongside the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force in the Philippine Sea and East China Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 9

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 1st Class Michael Morrissey, from San Diego, directs an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye, assigned to the ‘Wallbangers’ of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during a U.S.-Japan bilateral exercise on April 14, 2022. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., is embarked aboard Abraham Lincoln and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Black Aces” of VFA-41 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Fs from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Tophatters” of VFA-14 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Vigilantes” of VFA-151 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Black Knights” of VMFA 314 – Marine Strike Fighter Squadron (VMFA) flying F-35Cs from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
  • The “Wizards” of VAQ-133 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Wallbangers” of VAW-117 – 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 “Chargers” of HSC-14 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station North Island.
  • The “Raptors” of HSM-71 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

  • USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 21

Boatswain’s Mate Seaman Apprentice Yerson Zamora, from Houston, stands port life buoy watch on the fantail aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) as Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Kongō-class guided-missile destroyer JS Kongō (DDG-173) sails in formation during a U.S.-Japan bilateral exercise on April 12, 2022. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 21 is based in San Diego, Calif., and is embarked on the carrier.

  • USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.
  • USS Gridley (DDG- 101), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
  • USS Sampson (DDG-102), homeported at Naval Station Everett.
  • USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

In Trieste, Italy

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) pulls into Trieste, Italy on April 23, 2022. US Navy Photo

Elements of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group are in port in Italy.

“The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) and Norwegian Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310) arrived in Trieste, Italy, while the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56) arrived in Porto di Marghera, for scheduled port visits, April 23, 2022,” the Navy said last week.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has extended the deployment of the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group, its escorts and Carrier Air Wing 1 as a hedge against Russian aggression in Europe. Truman has spent four months operating in the Mediterranean Sea since Austin ordered the strike group to remain on station in December as Russia massed forces along the Ukrainian border.

One defense official told USNI News the carrier could remain in the region until August before returning to its homeport in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Carrier
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 1

Sailors watch as the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) pulls into Trieste, Italy on April 23, 2022. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Harry S. Truman and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Red Rippers” of VFA-11 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Fs from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Fighting Checkmates” of VFA-211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Blue Blasters” of VFA-34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Sunliners” of VFA-81 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Rooks” of VAQ-137 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Seahawks” of VAW-126 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of VRC-40 – Detachment – C-2A – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
  • The “Dragon Slayers” of HSC-11 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
  • The “Proud Warriors” of HSM-72 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Cruiser

USS San Jacinto (CG-56) is moored in Porto di Marghera, Italy on April 23, 2022. US Navy Photo

 

  • USS San Jacinto (CG-56), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

Destroyer Squadron 28

Cmdr. Iris Fivelstad, commanding officer of the Norwegian Navy Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F-310), hosts Capt. Patrick Hourigan, commander, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 1 for a meal aboard Nansen on April 4, 2022. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 28 is based in Norfolk and is embarked on the carrier.

  • USS Cole (DDG-67), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
  • USS Bainbridge (DDG- 96), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
  • USS Gravely (DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
  • USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Gonzalez (DDG-66), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
  • Royal Norwegian Navy frigate HNoMS Fridtjof Nansen (F310).

In the Norwegian Sea

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Carl Beirel, a pilot with the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, flies a UH-1Y Huey during flight operations in Norway, April 19, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit completed Northern Viking 2022, earlier this month. The ARG remains in the Norwegian Sea. The ARG ships composition is USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Arlington (LPD-24) and USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44).

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is based out of North Carolina and includes the command element; the aviation combat element, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron, 263 (Reinforced); the ground combat element, Battalion Landing Team 2/6; and the logistics combat element, Combat Logistics Battalion 26.

In addition to the MEU itself, embarked commands with the Kearsarge ARG include Amphibious Squadron Six, Fleet Surgical Team 2, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4, Naval Beach Group 2 and Beach Master Unit 2.

It’s unclear if the Kearsarge ARG will be part of the ongoing NATO presence operations as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues. Since the late February invasion, the U.S. and NATO have massed naval power in the Baltic and Mediterranean seas.

In the Eastern Pacific

Sailors participate in a fall protection course in the hangar bay of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on April 8, 2022. US Navy Photo

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas. The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group returned to San Diego, marking the end of an eight-month deployment to the U.S. 3rd and U.S. 7th Fleet areas of operation, on Feb. 14.

In the Western Atlantic

Aviation Boatswains’ Mate (Fuel) 1st class Gerald Labtis, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5), pumps fuel during a replenishment-at-sea with the dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS William McLean (T-AKE-12) April 22, 2022. US Navy Photo

USS Bataan (LHD-5) is underway in the Virginia Capes. Bataan completed a 16-month maintenance availability on Jan. 19 at NASSCO-Norfolk.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are 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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