USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 23, 2023

January 23, 2023 10:47 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 Jan. 23, 2023, 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)
101

 68
(46 Deployed, 22 Local)

Ships Deployed by Fleet

2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 0 1 10 21 68 101

In Japan

Sailors aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), hang a ‘Don’t Give Up The Ship’ banner in the hangar bay, while in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Jan. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Kenny Ngo, from Upland, California, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA-6), directs an F-35B Lightning II aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 on the ship’s flight deck while sailing in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 15, 2023. US Navy Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is underway in the Philippine Sea.

In Singapore

A sailor observes as an aircraft makes an arrested landing on the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Jan. 18, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in Singapore at the Changi Naval Base.

The Nimitz CSG deployed from the West Coast on Dec. 3 and chopped into U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 16.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Sailors refuel an MV-22 Osprey from the ‘Ugly Angels’ of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 362 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Jan. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier

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

Carrier Air Wing 17

Sailor directs an E/A-18G Growler from the ‘Cougars’ of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Jan. 19, 2023. 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

Operations Specialist 2nd Class Cassidy Johnson, left, from St. Petersburg, Fla., and Operations Specialist 2nd Class Mathew Zelek, from Chicago, practice drawing charts in the combat information center aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) on Jan. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 9

Retail Services Specialist Seaman Jarod Gonzales gives a haircut to Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 2nd Class Alex Martinez aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) on Jan. 17, 2023. 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.

In the South China Sea

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 (VMFA-122) taking off from USS Makin Island (LHD-8). US Navy Photo via Facebook

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are in the South China Sea. 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.

The Makin Island ARG and the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) wrapped up the Singapore phase of the 2022 Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise serials on Jan. 13.

The U.S. Navy and Marine Corps began exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT)/Marine Exercise (MAREX) Sri Lanka 2023 with the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) and Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) in Colombo, on Jan. 19, 2023.

USS Anchorage (LPD-23) and elements of the 13th MEU will participate in the at-sea portion of the exercise in the Indian Ocean and Laccadive Sea.

The ARG includes Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) and USS Anchorage (LPD-23). During the deployment to the Western Pacific, the ARG has worked with other U.S. assets, including 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 of the 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 Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 3rd Class Christian Pedro, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5, is raised out of the water during a combat search and rescue training evolution, Jan. 19, 2023. US Navy Photo

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is operating in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, near Crete.

USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119) continues to operate in the U.S. 5th Fleet.

Carrier Strike Group 10

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) 3rd Class Anthony Valladares, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), uses a rivet gun to secure arresting gear cables, Jan. 18, 2023. US Navy Photo

Carrier

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

Carrier Air Wing 7

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Jason Ogletree, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), directs an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, on the flight deck, Jan. 17, 2023. 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

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) sails alongside the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) while an F/A-18 Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, takes off during operations in the Adriatic Sea, Jan. 15, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron

Yeoman 1st Class Cornell King, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84), responds to a simulated casualty during a general quarters drill, Jan. 17, 2023. 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

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) conducts an ammunition transfer with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) during a replenishment-at-sea with USNS Henry J. Kaiser (T-AO-187) on Jan. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) and USS Tripoli (LHA-7) are underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In the Western Atlantic

Capt. Robert Weede, an AV-8B Harrier II jet pilot with Marine Attack Squadron (VMA) 231, receives fuel in an AV-8B Harrier II jet on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge (LHD-3), Dec. 6, 2022. US Marine Corps Photo

USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) is underway 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.

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