USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 21, 2023

August 21, 2023 11:14 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 Aug. 21, 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
297
(USS 238, USNS 59)
100
(USS 67, USNS 33)
77
(48 Deployed, 29 Local)

Ships Deployed by Fleet

2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
1 3 3 14 19 60 100

In the Philippine Sea

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Launch/Recovery Equipment) 3rd Class Evan Williams, from Aiken, S.C, prepares an E-2D Hawkeye, attached to the Tiger Tails of Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125, for launch from the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during flight operations in support of Large Scale Exercise 2023 on Aug. 16, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Strike Group 5

Sailors receive and transport cargo from Military Sealift Command dry cargo and ammunition ship USNS Carl Brashear (T-AKE-7) on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during a vertical replenishment-at-sea in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 19, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 5

\Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Raymond Brown, from Ardmore, Oklahoma, directs an MH-60R, attached to the Saberhawks of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during flight operations in support of Large Scale Exercise 2023 on Aug. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Sonar Technician (Surface) 2nd Class Joshua Mattson from Anchorage, Alaska, replaces the barrel of a .50-caliber machine gun during a live-fire weapons exercise aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Antietam (CG-54) in the Philippine Sea, Aug. 11, 2023. US Navy Photo
  • 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

Sailors with the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), alongside U.S. Marines with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, observe the guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) during a simulated replenishment at sea for Talisman Sabre 23, aboard America, in the Coral Sea, Aug. 1, 2023. US Navy Photo
  • USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Korea Strait

USCGC Munro (WMSL-755) escorts USNS Fisher (T-AKR-301) in the East China Sea on Aug. 12, 2023. US Navy Photo

Legend-class National Security Cutter USCGC Munro (WMSL-755) departed South Korea last week and is in the Korea Strait.

In the Bismarck Sea

Marines assigned to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), embark an MV-22B Osprey tiltrotor aircraft from the 31st MEU’s Air Combat Element (ACE) on the flight deck of USS America (LHA-6), during humanitarian assistance operations, while sailing in the Solomon Sea, Aug. 13, 2023. US Navy Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked just completed Malabar 2023. The ARG is off the north coast of Papua New Guinea in the Bismarck Sea.

According to Military.com, “The United States, Japan and Australia are planning a joint navy drill in the South China Sea off the western Philippines this week to underscore their commitment to the rule of law in the region after a recent show of Chinese aggression in the disputed waters, Filipino security officials said Sunday.”

USS America (LHA-6) is reported as a participant.

In the Persian Gulf

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II aircraft operate alongside amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) in the Gulf of Oman, Aug. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, are now in the Persian Gulf. 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. The 26th MEU (SOC), based at Camp Lejeune, N. C., includes Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6thMarines; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 22.

The Marines stand ready to respond, if ordered, to provide armed security aboard foreign commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, USNI News reported. 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.

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 Istanbul, Turkey

USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) arrives in Istanbul on Aug. 18, 2023. Photo by Yörük Işık‏ used with permission

U.S. 6th Fleet flagship, USS Mount Whiney (LCC-20), docked in Istanbul on Aug. 18.

In the Mediterranean Sea

Cmdr. Georgios Laiakis, right, commanding officer of Hellenic Navy frigate HS Elli (F450), and Lt. Cmdr. Kyle OÕConnell, assigned to Commander Destroyer Squadron (CDS) 2, and Hellenic Navy distinguished visitors observe flight operations from the tower of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on Aug. 16, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Mediterranean Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Naval Air Crewman (Helicopter) 1st Class Dectorio Huerta, from Corpus Christi, Texas, assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70, makes landing calls while preparing to land on USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Aug. 16, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 8

An E2-D Hawkeye, attached to the ‘Bear Aces’ of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124, lands on the flight deck of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), Aug. 19, 2023. US Navy Photo

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) steams in formation alongside the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), the flagship of US 6th Fleet on Aug. 14, 2023. US Navy Photo
  • USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 2

Quartermaster 2nd Class Jose Vispo, assigned to the guided missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG-74), makes a deck log entry during a sea and anchor evolution in the Arabian Gulf, Aug. 15, 2023. US Navy Photo

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 Beaufort Sea

A curious polar bear is drawn to the Waves, Weather, Ice Mass, Balance and Ocean device that was installed by U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Healy (WAGB 20) crew and scientists on a multi-year ice floe in the Beaufort Sea, Aug. 13, 2023. US Coast Guard Photo

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.

Healy’s crew and embarked researchers ventured onto a floe of multi-year ice for the first of three multi-instrument ice stations in the Arctic Ocean Basin late July and early August.

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 Eastern Pacific

Sailors participate in a crash and salvage drill on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on Aug. 9, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Eastern Pacific conducting training.

Aircraft carriers USS Nimitz (CVN-68), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and several other Navy ships homeported in San Diego, are underway conducting storm evasion from Hurricane Hilary that made landfall on Sunday.

USS Boxer (LHD-4) transits through San Diego Harbor, Aug. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

After a three-year-long maintenance period, amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) is sailing off the coast of California for sea trials, USNI News has learned.

Boxer left Aug. 17, from Pier 7 at the Naval Base San Diego for sea trials following a $200 million availability at BAE Systems. The maintenance period included upgrades so the big deck could field the F-35B Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter.

In the North Atlantic

Coast Guard members assigned to USCGC Forward (WMEC-911) pose for a group photo before mooring in Nuuk, Greenland, Aug. 16, 2023. US Coast Guard Photo

Coast Guard Cutter USCGC 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. The cutter recently made a port call in Nuuk, Greenland.

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.

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