USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 29, 2022

This post has been updated with additional information on the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group’s operations in the Baltic Sea. These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Aug. 29, 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.

Ships Underway

Ships Deployed by Fleet

In Japan

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is at its homeport in Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

USS America (LHA-6) is underway in the Philippine Sea.

In the South China Sea

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit are underway in the South China Sea.

Tripoli departed Naval Station San Diego, Calif., for 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 Marines’ “lightning carrier” concept. The Navy and Marine Corps are testing Tripoli’s adjunct capability to a carrier strike group, USNI News previously reported.

In the Ionian Sea

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in the Ionian Sea after entering the Mediterranean Sea. The CSG left Norfolk, Va., on Aug. 10 and turned over duties in U.S. 6th Fleet with the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group on Sunday.

Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 (SNMG 2) is also operating in the Mediterranean Sea. U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Scott Sciretta, who assumed command of the formation on July 1, is embarked aboard Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Forrest Sherman (DDG-98) as SNMG 2’s flagship.

Other ships of SNMG2 include Italian Navy Bergamini FREMM-class guided-missile frigate ITS Martinengo (F 596), Italian Navy Logistic support ship LSS Vulcano (A 5335), Turkish Navy Barbaros-class frigate TCG Kemalreis (F-247), German Navy Berlin-class replenishment ship FGS Bonn (A1413), Spanish Navy F100-class air defense frigate ESPS Almirante Juan De Borbón (F-102), French Navy Aquitaine-class frigate FS Provence (D-652) and Hellenic Navy Ellie-class frigate HS Kountouriotis (F-462).

Carrier Strike Group 8

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

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), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

Destroyer Squadron 28

Destroyer Squadron 28 is based in Norfolk and is embarked on the carrier. The following ships deployed with the strike group.

• 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 Mediterranean Sea

The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group CSG has been operating in U.S. 6th Fleet since December and is underway in the Western Mediterranean Sea – headed home. The CSG’s deployment was extended to increase presence in the European theater due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Carrier Strike Group 10

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, based on Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked on Bush and includes:

• 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

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.

• USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
• USS Truxtun (DDG-103), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• USS Farragut (DDG-99), homeported at Naval Station Mayport.
• USS Nitze (DDG-94), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

In the Baltic Sea

The Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are back underway in the Baltic Sea after completing port visits in Klaipeda, Lithuania (USS Kearsarge) and in Riga, Latvia (USS Arlington and USS Gunston Hall).

The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit is based in 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.

The ARG includes USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), USS Arlington (LPD-24) and USS Gunston Hall( LSD-44). The Kearsarge ARG is commanded by Amphibious Squadron Six. Other Navy units in the ARG include 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.

In the Western Atlantic

USS Bataan (LHD-5) got underway Aug. 22 and is operating in the Western Atlantic.

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.