USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: June 13, 2022

June 13, 2022 11:45 AM - Updated: June 16, 2022 6:58 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 13, 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. This post has been updated to correct the composition of Carrier Air Wing 17.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:

298

In Sasebo, Japan

Hull Technician Fireman Juwan Poynter, from Norfolk, Va., assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA 6), dons firefighting protective gear in the ship’s hangar bay during a damage control exercise on June 7, 2022. US Navy Photo

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

In the Western Pacific

Sailors watch as the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) sails alongside amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA-7) prior to a photo exercise for Valiant Shield 2022 on June 12, 2022. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 5

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Adrian Belmonte, from Glendale, California, directs the pilot of an F/A-18E Super Hornet attached to the Eagles of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 115 through safety checks on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on June 10, 2022. 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, Japan.
  • The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Shadowhawks” of VAQ-141 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Tiger Tails” of VAW-125 – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Providers” of VRC-30 – Detachment 5 – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from MCAS Iwakuni.
  • The “Golden Falcons” of HSC-12 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.
  • The “Saberhawks” of HSM-77 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

Cruisers

Guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) sails behind amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA-7) during a photo exercise for Valiant Shield 2022 on June 12, 2022. US Navy Photo
  • USS Antietam (CG-54), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

Destroyer Squadron 15

Guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold (DDG 65), right, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald (DDG-62) sail in formation alongside USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during Valiant Shield 2022 on June 12, 2022. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 15 is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and is embarked on the carrier. Destroyers from Destroyer Squadron 15 are also assigned to the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group.

  • USS Benfold (DDG-65), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan

Carrier Strike Group 3

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) sails alongside amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA-7) during a photo exercise for Valiant Shield 2022 on June 12, 2022. Exercises like VS22 allow forces across the Indo-Pacific the opportunity to integrate Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Space Force to train in precise, lethal, and overwhelming multi-axis, multi-domain effects that demonstrate the strength and versatility of the Joint Force. Tripoli is operating in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations to enhance interoperability with allies and partners and serve as a ready response force to defend peace and maintain stability in the Indo-Pacific region on June 12, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Lincoln Carrier Strike Group, on patrol since leaving San Diego on Jan. 3, is in the Philippine Sea after a port call last week in Yokosuka for shipboard maintenance.

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

Carrier Air Wing 9

Two E-2D Advanced Hawkeyes, assigned to the ‘Wallbangers’ of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 117, fly over the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on June 9, 2022.

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

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), left, and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) sail in formation behind USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during Valiant Shield 2022 (VS22) on June 12, 2022. US Navy Photo
  • USS Mobile Bay (CG-53), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 21

Seaman Coy Sanders, from Jacksonville Florida steers Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sampson (DDG-102) as it transits the Pacific Ocean. Sampson is on June 5, 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.

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) is also participating in Valiant Shield 2022.

An F-35B Lightning II aircraft assigned to Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 121, sits aboard amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA-7) on June 10, 2022. US Navy Photo

Tripoli departed Naval Station San Diego on an independent deployment to the Western Pacific on May 2. The 45,000-ton big-deck amphibious ship has 20 F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters embarked to evaluate the Marine Corps “lightning carrier” concept. The Navy and Marines are testing Tripoli’s adjunct capability to a carrier strike group, USNI News reported.

In the Ionian Sea

Airman Octavia Patterson, from Carroll County, Maryland, assigned to the ‘Seahawks’ of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 126, cleans screw jaws attached to an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye on the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on June 11, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Ionian Sea. The U.S. strike group was under NATO command from May 17 to 30 for the second time this year for exercise Neptune Shield, USNI News reported.

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

Sailors man a phone-and-distance line on the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) during a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Robert E. Peary on June 10, 2022. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Red Rippers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, launches from the flight deck of USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on June 7, 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

Ens. Stephen Hess uses a telescopic alidade in the pilot house of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS San Jacinto (CG-56), as it transits behind USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Adriatic Sea on June 6, 2022. US Navy Photo
  • USS San Jacinto (CG-56), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

Destroyer Squadron 28

Guided-missile destroyer USS Gonzalez (DDG-66) pierside in Aqaba, Jordan June 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 Baltic Sea

An MV-22 Osprey departs the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) during exercise BALTOPS 22 on June 8, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit are in the Baltic Sea for the BALTOPS 22 exercise from June 5 to 17. BALTOPS 22 includes participants from 14 NATO countries as well as Sweden and Finland, reported USNI News.

“It’s important for us, the United States, and it’s important for the other NATO countries to show solidarity with both Finland and Sweden in this exercise,” Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Army Gen. Mark Milley said in Stockholm on Sunday ahead of BALTOPs at sea period, according to The Associated Press.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Gravely (DDG-107) operated with USS Kearsarge (LHD-3) during a maneuvering exercise with the Finnish and Swedish navies in the Baltic on May 17. The Kearsarge ARG has also been placed under NATO command.

In the Western Atlantic

Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Daniel Gutierrez, right, and Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Fynn McFarland prepare to shoot a shot line from the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) to the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Leroy Grumman (T-AO-195) during a replenishment-at-sea, June 11, 2022. US Navy Photo

The George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway off the coast of Virginia ahead of an anticipated deployment later this year. The CSG is conducting its Composite Unit Training Exercise, or COMPTUEX, according to The Newport News Daily Press.

Carrier Strike Group 10

Vice Adm. Daniel Dwyer, commander, Second Fleet/Joint Force Command Norfolk, comes aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) on June 8, 2022. US Navy Photo

Carrier
USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 7

Sailors assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, signal an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), during a straits transit training event on June 5, 2022. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard George H. W. Bush and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Es from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Knighthawks” of VFA-136 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Patriots” of VAQ-140 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Bluetails” of VAW-121 – 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 “Nightdippers” of HSC-5 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
  • The “Grandmasters” of HSM-46 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Cruiser

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) sails the Atlantic Ocean on June 5, 2022. US Navy Photo

USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

Destroyer Squadron 26
Destroyer Squadron 26 is based in Norfolk and is embarked on the carrier.

  • The Italian navy destroyer ITS Caio Duilo (D554)

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), and USS Decatur (DDG-73) sail in formation with the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a strait transit exercise on June 12, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) got underway from San Diego on June 6 and is training in the Southern California Operating Areas.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Carrier

  • USS Nimitz (CVN-68), homeported in Bremerton, Wash.

Carrier Air Wing 17

An AN F/A-18E Super Hornet from the ‘Blue Diamonds’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146, prepares for an arrested gear landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on June 11, 2022. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., is embarked aboard Nimitz and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Fighting Redcocks” of VFA-22 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Fs from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Kestrels” of VFA-137 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA 146 – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Cougars” of VAQ-139 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of VRC-30 – C-2A – Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Indians” of HSC-6 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station North Island.
  • The “BattleCats” of HSM-73 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) and USS Stethem (DDG-63) execute a column turn in front of the USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) during a Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training (SWATT) exercise on May 26, 2022. US Navy Photo
  • USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 9

Guided missile destroyer USS Stethem (DDG-63) sails behind the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68), during a simulated strait transit on June 10, 2022. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 9 is based in Everett, Wash., and is embarked on the carrier.

    • USS Stethem (DDG-63), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
    • USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG- 108), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
    • USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

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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