USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 19, 2022

December 19, 2022 12:28 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 Dec. 19, 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

Total Battle Force Deployed Underway
293
(USS 237, USNS 56)
102
(USS 68, USNS 34)
 55
(50 Deployed, 5 Local)

Ships Deployed by Fleet

2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
0 2 1 12 21 66 102

In Japan

Sailors depart USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), after returning to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, following its deployment to the western Pacific ocean, Dec. 16, 2022. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan completed its second patrol for 2022 on Thursday when it pulled into Yokosuka, Japan. Carrier Air Wing 5 aircraft have returned to their home fields in Iwakuni and Atsugi, reported USNI News.

USS America (LHA-6) remains in its homeport in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Western Pacific

An F/A-18F Super Hornet from the ‘Fighting Redcocks’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 launches off the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 17, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) chopped into U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 16 and is now operating in the Western Pacific. The CSG deployed from the West Coast on Dec. 3.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Navy aircraft fly in formation over the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 17, 2022. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier

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

Carrier Air Wing 17

Navy Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Yadriel Delacruz Perez, from Puerto Rico, attaches a bomb hoist cable to an MG1A2 gun in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 18, 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 “Battle Cats” of HSM-73 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

Ensign Baker Mcfall, from Newport News, Va., stands watch on the bridge of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) on Dec. 15, 2022. US Navy Photo

USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron

USS Decatur (DDG-73) steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a refueling-at-sea on Dec. 19, 2022. US Navy Photo

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

  • USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  • USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.
  • USS Decatur (DDG-73) homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) homeported at Naval Station San Diego.
  • USS Shoup (DDG-86) homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

In the Java Sea

Capt. Daniel Keeler, commanding officer of amphibious transport dock USS Anchorage (LPD-23), left, meets with Kolonel Sumarji Bimo Aji of the Indonesian National Military—Navy (TNI-AL), during a welcome ceremony for Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Indonesia 2022, Dec. 12, 2022. US Navy Photo

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are participating in the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training Indonesia 2022 with the Indonesian Navy and Marine Corps with USS Anchorage (LPD-23).

The exercise started on Dec. 7. Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8), the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, left Naval Base San Diego on Nov. 9 for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.

Lt. Cmdr. Simone Mims, plans and tactics officer, assigned to amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) reviews the amphibious assault with Indonesian Navy (TNI-AL) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Indonesia 2022 in Pangkoarmada II Fleet Navy Base, Indonesia, Dec. 13, 2022. US Navy Photo

The ARG includes Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) and Anchorage. Additional U.S. assets include Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, P-8A Poseidon aircraft and personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet and CTF 72, 73, 75, 76/3, Destroyer Squadron 7, and Amphibious Squadron 7. Task Force 76/3 recently formed as a result of merging the staffs on Navy’s TF 76 and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

The MEU includes the aviation combat element with the “Flying Leathernecks” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 flying F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and the “Ugly Angels” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362 (Reinforced) flying MV-22B Ospreys; the logistics combat element made up of Combat Logistics Battalion 13; and the ground combat element with 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines.

In the Adriatic Sea

Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) and embarked members of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10 perform a foreign object debris walk-down, Dec. 17, 2022. US Navy Photo

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group is in the Adriatic Sea. Guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) has been operating in U.S. 5th Fleet. Last week, Italian civilian and military leadership embarked aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) with Vice Adm. Tom Ishee, the commander of U.S. 6th Fleet and the deputy commander of U.S. Naval Forces Europe – Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF). According to the Navy, ITS Andrea Doria (D-553) is currently operating within the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group and is executing warfare commander duties as assigned.

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

Carrier Strike Group 10

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) sails alongside the Italian Navy Andrea Doria-class air defense destroyer ITS Andrea Doria (D 553) while an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft, assigned to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, takes off during combined operations in the Adriatic Sea, Dec. 15, 2022. US Navy Photo

Carrier

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

Carrier Air Wing 7

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) approaches the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) during a replenishment-at-sea, Dec. 11, 2022. US Navy Photo

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

Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) man the rails as the ship departs Koper, Slovenia, following a scheduled port visit, Dec. 6, 2022. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron

Guided-missile destroyer USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) operates in the Persian Gulf, Dec. 14, 2022. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 26 is based in Norfolk and is embarked on the carrier. The following ships deployed with the strike group.

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

In the Eastern Pacific

An F/A-18E, assigned to the ‘Fighting Eagles’ Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 122, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Dec. 14, 2022. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) is underway off Southern California supporting naval aviator carrier qualifications for Fleet Replacement Squadrons. 

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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