USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 22, 2023

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of May 22, 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

Ships Deployed by Fleet

In Japan

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan. The carrier was underway

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is in Sasebo, Japan. The America ARG consists of USS America (LHA-6), Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Green Bay (LPD-20).

In the Philippine Sea

After a stop in Sasebo Japan coinciding with the G-7 summit, the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Philippine Sea.

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

Aircraft carrier

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

On April 22, “the oldest-serving U.S commissioned aircraft carrier in the world, successfully completed its 350,000th arrested aircraft landing while sailing in the South China Sea, a milestone nearly 48 years in the making,” reads a news release from the carrier.

Carrier Air Wing 17

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.
• 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

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 Western Pacific

USCGC’s Myrtle Hazard and USCGC Oliver Henry departed Guam to avoid Typhoon MAWAR, which continues to strengthen and head toward Guam. Storm conditions are expected to arrive near Guam sometime on Tuesday, May 23.

In Middle Pacific

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) – with the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked – is in the Middle Pacific and has crossed into the Third Fleet Area of responsibility.

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 also includes amphibious transport docks USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) and USS Anchorage (LPD-23).

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 the Red Sea

USNS Brunswick (T-EPF 6) remains in the Red Sea. USNI News reported that the Navy transported 300 evacuees on May 1 from the Port of Sudan to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of a State Department-led evacuation of Sudan.

In the Persian Gulf

U.S. 5th Fleet, along with other allies in the Middle East, will increase the number of ships and aircraft patrolling the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iran’s recent seizures of merchant vessels, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command announced Friday.

The increased patrols are meant to deter any further Iranian seizures, according to a news release. The Navy did not indicate what ships may be involved. Earlier this month, Iranian forces seized the second oil tanker in less than a week, USNI News previously reported. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy flanked Panama-flagged oil tanker Niovi while it transited the Strait of Hormuz, video released by Naval Forces Central Command shows. The IRGCN forced the oil tanker to travel into Iranian waters, where it seized Niovi.

The Mideast-based commanders of the U.S., British and French navies transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday aboard USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), a sign of their unified approach to keep the crucial waterway open after Iran seized two oil tankers.

سپاه تصاویر رصد ناو آمریکایی را منتشر کرد

تصاویر منتشر شده توسط سپاه نشان می‌دهد ناو رزمی همیلتون DDG60 به همراه یک شناور پشتیبان به نام TAKE6 از تنگه هرمز عبور کرده استhttps://t.co/GDkMNLQelC pic.twitter.com/gEVL5V1Dkt

— خبرگزاری تسنیم 🇮🇷 (@Tasnimnews_Fa) May 21, 2023

USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) transited the Strait of Hormuz on Friday – southbound and returned Sunday – northbound while escorting the USNS Amilia Earhart (T-AKE-6).

“Iran’s unwarranted, irresponsible and unlawful seizure and harassment of merchant vessels must stop,” Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, said in the release. “U.S. 5th Fleet and our partners are committed to protecting navigational rights in these critical waters.”

Six U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel Class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships alongside U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain, providing capable littoral assets for maritime interdiction, theater security cooperation, and maritime domain awareness operations.

In Oslo, Norway

Coast Guard Cutter Eagle moored in Oslo, Norway on Friday as part of its summer training cruise for cadets from the United States Coast Guard Academy.

In the North Sea

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is now in the North Sea. The CSG left Naval Station Norfolk on May 2nd on the first global deployment for first-in-class aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78).

Carrier Strike Group 12

Carrier
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 8

Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW 8), stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked on Ford for the deployment and includes a total of nine squadrons.

• The “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Blacklions” of VFA 213 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Golden Warriors” of VFA 87 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Tomcatters” of VFA 31 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
• The “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
• The “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.

Cruiser

• USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 2

Destroyer Squadron 2 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Ford.

• USS Ramage (DDG-61), homeported at Norfolk, Va.
• USS McFaul (DDG-74), homeported at Norfolk, Va.
• USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), homeported at Mayport, Fla.

In the Western Atlantic

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked is underway off the coast of North Carolina. Commanded by Amphibious Squadron (PHIBRON) 8, the ARG is comprised of the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5), San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19), and Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50). It is anticipated the ARG will deploy to 6th Fleet and, perhaps 5th Fleet.

I USS George Washington (CVN-73) is underway off the coast of Virginia after spending almost six years in a mid-life repair and refueling availability.

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, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.