USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: March 13, 2023

March 13, 2023 9:56 AM - Updated: March 13, 2023 10:50 PM
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of March 13, 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
296
(USS 238, USNS 58)
108
(USS 73, USNS 35)
 65
(47 Deployed, 18 Local)

Ships Deployed by Fleet

2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
4 2 2 10 23 67 108

In Yokosuka, Japan

Electronics Technician 3rd Class Myles Shema, from Lynchburg, Va., performs paint preservation on a precision approach landing platform on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), while in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, March 6, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

In Okinawa, Japan

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force soldier, with the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, observes the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) during a simulated bilateral casualty pick up in the Philippine Sea, March 10, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) are in Okinawa, Japan, having completed exercises with the JMSDF and the Iron Fist 23 Exercise between the Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

The America ARG consists of USS America (LHA-6), Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Green Bay (LPD-20).

In the Western Pacific

Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic 3rd Class Austin Whitehead, from Cottonwood, Ala., services the main rotor head on an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter from the ‘Battlecats’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on March 10, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Western Pacific. 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

Navy Aviation Structural Mechanic (Safety Equipment) Airman Christopher Harris, from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., coils a line in the hangar bay aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) during a replenishment-at-sea on March 9, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 17

Navy Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Laura Quintero, from Chicago, monitors flight operations on the flight deck aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on March 7, 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
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 9

Navy Gunner’s Mate 3rd Class Colten Groessl, from Queen Creek, Ariz., stands watch in the combat information center aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108). 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

Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) transits the Gulf of Thailand during exercise Cobra Gold 2023, March 3, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked, completed Cobra Gold 2023 on March 10. The ARG/MEU completed a port call in Laem Chabang, Thailand, and is now 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 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 was 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 Battalion Landing team of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines; and Combat Logistics Battalion 13 making up the logistics combat element.

In Souda Bay, Crete

Cmdr. Karrie Lang, Combat Systems Officer aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77), takes a selfie with Tom Cruise during a visit to the ship, March 3, 2023. US Navy Photo

The George H. W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) arrived in Souda Bay, Crete, on March 10.

“Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick” star Tom Cruise visited aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush for three days (March 1-3) in the Adriatic Sea to film scenes for “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part Two.”

Carrier Strike Group 1

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), along with the embarked staff of Carrier Strike Group 10, arrives in Souda Bay, Crete, for a scheduled port visit, March 10, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 7

An F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, performs a flyover of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) during a change of command ceremony, March 8, 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 Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron

Sailors aboard an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Nitze (DDG-94), man the rails as the ship arrives in Valletta, Malta, March 11, 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 Western Atlantic


USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) are underway in the Western Atlantic.

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) left Naval Station Norfolk on March 2 for its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) – a month-long graduation exercise before the crew, Carrier Air Wing 8, its escorts and Carrier Strike Group 12 are certified for worldwide deployment.

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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