USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 7, 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 Aug. 7, 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 the Celebes Sea

Having completed Talisman Sabre, the Ronald Reagan Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Celebes Sea near the Philippines.

The exercise was the largest iteration of Talisman Sabre “with more than 33,000 troops from 13 countries,” USNI News reported.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Aircraft carrier
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

Carrier Air Wing 5

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Royal Maces” of VFA-27 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) – from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni.
• The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni.
• The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni.
• The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni.
• The “Shadowhawks” of VAQ-141 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from MCAS Iwakuni.
• The “Tiger Tails” of VAW-125 – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from MCAS Iwakuni.
• The “Providers” of VRC-30 – Detachment 5 – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from MCAS Iwakuni.
• The “Golden Falcons” of HSC-12 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.
• The “Saberhawks” of HSM-77 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi.

Cruisers

• USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
• USS Antietam (CG-54), homeported in Yokosuka.

Destroyer Squadron 15
Destroyer Squadron 15 is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and is embarked on the carrier.

Destroyers

• USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Coral Sea

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked just completed exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.

Exercise Malabar 2023 will take place Aug. 7-11, just off the east coast of Australia. Naval and air units from India, U.S., Japan and Australia will participate.

In Yokosuka, Japan

🇺🇸アメリカ沿岸警備隊
バーソルフ級カッター
WMSL-755 USCGC Munro(マンロー)

横須賀沖での仮停泊からの本朝、横須賀本港に入港しました。

高いアングルからも狙いたかったのだけど、沖での動きを……
……
…………🫠高いポイントに登るのが辛かったから🤣💦 pic.twitter.com/3HevHC0gOU

— まぁさん (@svXwunjkknbmZYw) August 7, 2023

Legend-class National Security Cutter USCGC Munro (WMSL-755) pulled into Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY), according to ship spotters.

In Perth, Australia

Nuclear attack boat USS North Carolina (SSN-777) made a port call to Perth, Western Australia, for a scheduled port visit as part of its patrols in the Indo-Pacific region.

“It is the first Virginia-class submarine to visit Australia since the AUKUS announcement in March detailing Australia’s optimal pathway to acquiring nuclear-powered submarines,” reads a statement from the U.S. embassy in Australia.

In the Red Sea, Persian Gulf

USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked made a stop in Soudha Bay, Greece, last week. The Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) transited the Suez Canal and is now in the Red Sea. This is the first time an ARG has been in the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) since the Essex ARG departed the Fifth Fleet in January 2022. USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) continues to operate in Europe.

Embarked units include Amphibious Squadron 8, 26th MEU(SOC), Fleet Surgical Team 8, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4 and Beach Master Unit 2.

“On June 20th, the Department of Defense announced that a portion of the Bataan ARG, USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall, will deploy personnel and equipment to U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) to demonstrate the U.S.’ commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilization activities in the region. While the USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) are set to execute a mission in (USCENTCOM) the USS Mesa Verde will continue supporting operations, activities, and investments (OAI) within U.S. European Command (USEUCOM),” according to the Pentagon.

The Wall Street Journal reported U.S. Central Command would deploy armed detachments of Marines and sailors on commercial ships as a deterrent to attack.

“Iran has attempted to seize 20 flagged ships since 2021. The most recent attacks follow Iran taking control of two tankers within a week of each other this year,” USNI News reported.
“The U.S. currently has three destroyers in the region – USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) and USS McFaul (DDG-74). Hudner and McFaul are assigned to the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is operating in the Mediterranean Sea.”

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 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

In the Mediterranean Sea

After a port call in Piraeus, Greece, last week, the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Mediterranean Sea.

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

In Narvik, Norway

Amphibious warship USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) made a port call to Narvik, Noway, a town north of the Arctic Circle.

Mesa Verde is embarked with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit and attached to the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group.

The other two ships of the Bataan ARG are now in the Red Sea.

In the Western Atlantic

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is underway off the coast of Virginia following completing its mid-life refueling and overhaul earlier this year.

At Naval Station Station Norfolk, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group completed its Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) ahead of a planned deployment, USNI News reported.

The Ike CSG consists of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-59) and guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely (DDG-107), USS Laboon (DDG-58), USS Mason (DDG-87) and USS Carney (DDG-64), the service said in a March news release previewing the CSG’s makeup.

In the Eastern Pacific

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications.

In the Bering Sea

Four U.S. destroyers tracked a combined flotilla of 11 Russian and Chinese ships underway off the coast of Alaska, USNI News reported Saturday.

Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) said they were given a detailed briefing on the joint flotilla and it included 11, according to a joint statement Saturday.

USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), USS Benfold (DDG-65), USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) and USS John Finn (DDG-113) were assigned to monitor the formation, according to a Saturday report in The Wall Street Journal.

“The joint Russian-Chinese flotilla left Vladivostok on July 27 and patrolled near Japan and subsequently sailed through La Perouse Strait from the Sea of Japan to the Sea of Okhotsk over July 28 to 29,” reported USNI News. Ten of the ships are Russian Navy destroyers RFS Admiral Panteleyev (548) and RFS Admiral Tributs (564); corvettes RFS Gremyashchiy (337) and RFS Hero of the Russian Federation Aldar Tsydenzhapov (339; and fleet tanker Pechenga, while the PLAN ships are Chinese destroyers CNS Guiyang (119) and CNS Qiqihar (121); frigates CNS Zaozhuang (542) and CNS Rizhao (598); and fleet oiler CNS Taihu (889), USNI News previously reported.”

In the Beaufort Sea

Last Friday, Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) conducted joint operations with the Canadian Coast Guard Cutter Ship Sir Wilfrid Laurier this past week in the Beaufort Sea while northbound on a month-long science mission in support of the Office of Naval Research (ONR).

The cutter departed Seattle on July 11 for a months-long Arctic deployment. Healy deploys annually to the Arctic to support multiple science missions and Operation Arctic Shield, the service’s annual operation to execute U.S. Coast Guard missions, enhance maritime domain awareness, strengthen partnerships and build preparedness, prevention and response capabilities across the Arctic domain.

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.