USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 22, 2024

These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Jan. 22, 2024, 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

In Japan

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port Yokosuka. The carrier completed its last planned Western Pacific patrol last month and is set to depart for the East Coast later this year. USS George Washington (CVN-73) will replace Reagan in Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

USS America (LHA-6) is operating in the Philippine Sea.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Republic of Korea Navy completed a trilateral maritime exercise on Jan. 17, according to U.S. 7th Fleet.

“The ships that participated included USS Carl Vinson, Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyers USS Kidd (DDG-100) and USS Sterett (DDG-104); Hyuga-class helicopter destroyers JS Hyuga (DDH-181), Kongo-class guided missile destroyer JS Kongo (DDG-173) of the JMSDF; guided missile destroyer ROKS Sejong the Great (DDG-991) and ROKS Wang Geon (DDH-978) of the ROKN,” according to 7th Fleet. 

Vinson is using older C-2A Greyhounds flying out of Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, as a temporary carrier-onboard delivery vehicle while the CMV-22B fleet is grounded following the November crash of an Air Force MV-22B off the coast of Japan.

Carrier Strike Group 1

Carrier

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 2

• The “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Stingers” of VFA 113 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Warhawks” of VFA 97 – F-35C – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Golden Dragons” of VFA 192 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Black Eagles” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 – CMV-22B – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island.
• The “Black Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

USS Princeton (CG-59), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 1

Destroyer Squadron 1 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Carl Vinson.

• USS Hopper (DDG-70), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• USS Kidd (DDG-100), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
• USS Sterett (DDG-104), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
• USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

In the Western Pacific

Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) concluded its final mission stop of Pacific Partnership 24-1, departing Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia, according to the Navy.

“Throughout their 12-day stop in Chuuk, PP24-1 teams conducted more than 150 medical engagements, including 2226 dental procedures. The optometry team distributed more than 1605 prescription glasses and 1442 pairs of sunglasses. Additionally, the Pacific Partnership medical team conducted 82 surgeries aboard Mercy,” reads a statement from the Navy.

In the South Pacific

USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) is at McMurdo Station in Antarctica supporting Operation Deep Freeze.

In the Pacific

Aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) departed San Diego, Calif., last week to begin its deployment, with a detachment of C-2A Greyhounds from the East Coast filling in for the grounded CV-22B Ospreys, USNI News has learned.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Carrier

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

• The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Black Knights” of VFA 154 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Blue Blasters” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach, Va.
• The “Flying Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana Virginia Beach
• The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station, Norfolk, Va.
• The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

USS Lake Erie (CG-70), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23 

Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.

• USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
• USS Halsey (DDG-97), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
• USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is back in the Eastern Mediterranean after completing exercise “Odyssey Encore” off the coast Volos, Greece, on Jan. 17. The two-week-long exercise focused on “advanced skills and operational capabilities necessary to rapidly respond to any crisis or other emergent requirements” in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, according to a Navy news release.

Among many missions Marines are trained in is evacuating civilians from conflict zones. USNI News visited the unit in April during a noncombatant evacuation drill in North Carolina.

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, 6th Marines; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 22.

In the Red Sea

U.S. forces in the Middle East entered the seventh day of back and forth strikes over the weekend, according to information from U.S. Central Command.

Based on information from CENTCOM:

• On Saturday, U.S. forces struck a Houthi anti-ship missile aimed at the Gulf of Aden that CENTCOM said was prepared to launch at maritime targets.
• On Friday, U.S. forces struck three anti-ship ballistic missiles were aimed at the Red Sea and planned to launch.
• On Thursday, Houthis launched two anti-ship ballistic missiles at M/V Chem Ranger, a Marshall Island-flagged, U.S.-owned, Greek-operated tanker ship. The crew observed the missiles impact the water near the ship. There were no reported injuries or damage to the ship. The ship has continued underway.
• On Wednesday, the U.S struck 14 Houthi missiles in Yemen that CENTCOM said were prepared to fire against ships in the Red Sea.
• On Tuesday, U.S. forces destroyed four Houthi anti-ship ballistic missiles following an attack on the U.S.-owned container ship M/V Genco Picardy.

As of Monday, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was operating off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.

Ike deployed on Oct. 14, while several of the carrier’s escorts left on Oct. 13. The carrier transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28 and transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 4.

The United Nations Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea, as the United States and the United Kingdom hinted at military strikes.

The Pentagon, on Dec. 18, announced an initiative to protect commercial traffic in the region after almost two months of attacks on merchant ships in the Red Sea by forces in Yemen.

Operation Prosperity Guardian is a multinational push to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden under the structure of the existing Combined Task Force 153.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Carrier

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

• The “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA 32 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 – 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 “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
• The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 – MH-60S – from Naval Station Norfolk.

Cruiser

USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 22

Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.

• USS Gravely (DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

In the Arabian Sea

The Two Navy SEALs who went missing on Jan. 11 as part of a raid on a ship carrying missile parts for Houthi forces were declared deceased, U.S. Central Command announced on Sunday.

“We regret to announce that after a 10-day exhaustive search, our two missing U.S. Navy SEALs have not been located and their status has been changed to deceased. The search and rescue operation for the two Navy SEALs reported missing during the boarding of an illicit dhow carrying Iranian advanced conventional weapons Jan. 11 concluded and we are now conducting recovery operations,” reads the statement from CENTCOM.

In the Gulf of Oman

A U.S. Coast Guard cutter operating under the French-led Combined Task Force 150 seized about $8.1 million worth of illegal drugs from a vessel in the Arabian Sea on Jan. 16.

USCGC Emlen Tunnell (WPC-1145) seized 173 kilograms of methamphetamines following a boarding and search.

“This is the second interdiction by CTF 150 of the year and marks the 14th time they have seized illegal narcotics at sea since France took command in July 2023,” the Task Force said in a news release. “During their tenure, more than 16 tons of illegal narcotics with a street value of over $600 million were seized and disposed of, preventing criminal and terrorist organizations generating income from drug smuggling. The seizure came one day before France turned over command of the task force to the Royal Canadian Navy.”

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 with 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 Western Atlantic

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) returned to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., on Wednesday, reported USNI News.

Ford and the embarked air wing and its escorts spent the bulk of its eight-month deployment in the Mediterranean Sea. The Ford Carrier Strike Group initially operated in the region as part of the ongoing presence mission the U.S. has undertaken since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but then was positioned in the Eastern Mediterranean following the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Southern Israel. The Ford Carrier Strike Group was extended three times to remain on station near Israel.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Carrier

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

Carrier Air Wing 8

• The “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 – F/A-18E – 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-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Tomcatters” of VFA 31 – F/A-18E – 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. Due to the length of the deployment, the destroyers assigned to the strike group have changed since the initial deployment.

• USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
• USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), homeported at Rota.
• USS Ramage (DDG-61), returned to its Norfolk homeport.
• USS McFaul (DDG-74), returned to its Norfolk homeport.
• USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), returned to its Mayport, Fla., homeport.

The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) was spotted heading outbound from Norfolk, Va., on Jan 19 for sea trials after a 13-month maintenance and repair period. Carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) was spotted heading outbound from Norfolk on Jan 14.

In the Eastern Pacific

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) was spotted heading outbound from San Diego, Calif., on Jan 18, according to ship spotters.

The amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) was spotted heading inbound to San Diego, Calif., on Jan 18, according to ship spotters.

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.