USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 14, 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. 14, 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 Philippine Sea

The Ronald Reagan Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Philippine Sea.

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 Australia

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit is embarked off the east coast of Australia participating in Exercise Malabar 2023.

“The United States, Australia, India and Japan began Exercise Malabar 2023 Friday with ships steaming into Sydney on Thursday for the harbor phase of the exercise,” USNI News previously reported.

“The harbor phase will be held until Aug.15 while the at-sea phase will take place off the east coast of Australia from Aug. 16-21, according to a Tuesday Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) release. The at-sea phase will see a wide range of tactical exercises, such as surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, air defense, special forces and replenishment at sea exercises.”

The U.S. deployed USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), fleet oiler USNS Rappahannock (T-AO-204), a submarine, P-8A Poseidons Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) and special operations forces for the exercise. Japan sent destroyer JS Shiranui (DD-120), part of the 1st Surface Unit of the JMSDF’s Indo Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23) mission, along with a special boarding unit of the JMSDF.

India’s destroyer INS Kolkata (D63) and frigate INS Sahyadri (F49) will participate. Australia deployed destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG-41), landing ship HMAS Choules (L100), a submarine, special force and Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35 fighters and P-8A Poseidons MPA.

“This year’s mission will feature nearly 1500 personnel from partner nations from Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, Republic of Korea, New Zealand and the United Kingdom, according to the release. The mission involves two ships – landing ship dock USS Pearl Harbor (LSD-52), which will carry the Pacific Partnership mission team, and Littoral Combat Ship USS Jackson (LCS-6),” USNI News reported.

In South Korea

Legend-class National Security Cutter USCGC Munro (WMSL-755) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka (CFAY) and is now in South Korea.

In the Gulf of Oman

USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are now in the Gulf of Oman. This is the first time an ARG has been in the U.S. Fifth Fleet Area of Responsibility (AOR) since the Essex Amphibious Ready Group 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.

“A force of 100 Marines, newly trained by Navy personnel, stand ready to respond, if ordered, to provide armed security aboard foreign commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, USNI has learned.

The Marines are members of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) embarked on the three-ship Bataan Amphibious Ready Group. They were flown off the ships in Europe and arrived in Bahrain for training as ship security teams, and additional teams of sailors already deployed or stationed in the U.S. Central Command region were undergoing the training, said a U.S. official familiar with the plans,” USNI News reported Friday.

There are more than 100 Marines on the ground in Bahrain, many of which have already completed training. Training began on Aug. 6.

“The decision to train small teams with 15-19 Marines is intended to thwart any moves by Iran’s maritime forces – notably its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy – to harass, intercept or seize the merchant vessels,” USNI News reported.

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 Adriatic Sea

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Adriatic 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 the Eastern Pacific

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is underway in the Eastern Pacific. Capt. Matt Thomas relieved Capt. Scott Miller as commanding officer Carl Vinson during an underway change of command ceremony, Aug. 7.

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) is underway in the Pacific Northwest.

In the Beaufort Sea

Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) continues its work in the Beaufort Sea. Healy is on a five-month deployment in partnership with ONR and the National Science Foundation.

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 the North Atlantic

Coast Guard Cutter Forward (WMEC-911) is currently supporting Operation Nanook. Operation Nanook is an annual Canadian-led exercise that fosters international cooperation and shared responsibility in the Arctic and the northern Atlantic Regions.

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.