These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Feb. 12, 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
| Total Battle Force | Deployed | Underway |
| 292 (USS 232, USNS 60) |
104 (USS 72, USNS 32) |
67 (39 Deployed, 28 Local) |
In Japan
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka. The carrier 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 Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) arrived Apra Harbor, Guam, Feb. 6 for a port visit.
The carrier is using older C-2A Greyhounds 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 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.
The Japan-based USS America (LHA-6) is operating in the Philippine Sea.
In the South Pacific
Following the successful breakthrough of a 38-nautical-mile channel through the fast ice, USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) escorted the Ocean Gladiator (container ship) and the Acadia Trader (fuel ship) safely to McMurdo Station. These supply ships provide essential resources, including fuel, to sustain operations and scientific activities in Antarctica until the next Austral summer. After both supply ships are escorted out, the Polar Star will start her voyage back to the United States, with stops in New Zealand and Japan.
In the Pacific
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is operating in the Pacific near Hawaii in U.S. 3rd Fleet.
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 Mediterranean Sea
The Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) continues to operate in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Pentagon has officially extended the deployment of the ARG and the embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit in the Mediterranean Sea amid growing regional turmoil, according to a defense official.
USS Bataan (LHD-5) pulled into Larcana, Cyprus, on Feb. 11.
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.
Among the 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.
In the Gulf of Aden
On Tuesday, Houthi militants fired six antiship ballistic missiles from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen toward the Southern Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Three of the ASBMs were attempting to hit M/V Star Nasia, a Marshall Island–flagged, Greek owned-and-operated bulk carrier transiting the Gulf of Aden. M/V Star Nasia reported an explosion near the ship causing minor damage but no injuries. Another missile impacted the water near the ship with no effect. USS Laboon (DDG-58), operating near M/V Star Nasia, intercepted and shot down a third antiship ballistic missile fired by the Iranian-backed Houthis. M/V Star Nasia remained seaworthy and continued toward its destination.
In the Red Sea
Houthi forces in Yemen have continued to target merchant shipping in both the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) has continued near-daily self-defense strikes in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen in response, having determined they present an imminent threat to U.S. Navy ships and merchant vessels in the region. These CENTCOM actions protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for U.S. Navy and merchant vessels.
On Saturday, CENTCOM forces successfully conducted self-defense strikes against two unmanned surface vessels and three mobile antiship cruise missiles north of Al Hudaydah, Yemen, that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
On Friday, CENTCOM forces conducted self-defense strikes against two mobile unmanned surface vessels, four mobile antiship cruise missiles, and one mobile land-attack cruise missile that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
On Thursday, CENTCOM forces conducted seven self-defense strikes against four Houthi unmanned surface vessels and seven mobile antiship cruise missiles that were prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces conducted self-defense strikes against two Houthi mobile antiship cruise missiles prepared to launch against ships in the Red Sea.
Later that day, CENTCOM forces conducted a second strike against a Houthi mobile land-attack cruise missile prepared to launch.
On Tuesday, Houthis launched missiles at two ships they said were American and British, according to a post on social media site X.
The Houthis fired six antiship ballistic missiles, CENTCOM announced in a news release Tuesday night. Three of the missiles were aimed at the MV Star Nasia, transiting in the Gulf of Aden, with three others likely targeting Morning Tide.
Morning Tide sails under a Barbados flag and is owned by British company Furadino Shipping, according to Reuters. The three missiles all landed in the sea, according to Central Command.
On Monday, CENTCOM forces conducted to strike in self-defense against two Houthi explosive uncrewed surface vehicles.
As of Monday, the Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group was operating 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 U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.
Announced on Dec. 18, 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 Persian Gulf
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 Eastern Pacific
Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) was inbound to arrive in its homeport of San Diego, Calif., on Monday.
Aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) was seen heading outbound from San Diego, Calif., on Feb. 5, according to ship spotters.
USS Boxer (LHD-4) is in port in San Diego, Calif., as of Jan. 18, according to ship spotters. Boxer, USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) and USS Sommerset (LPD-25) are set to deploy later this spring with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. Chris Mahoney told USNI News last week. The Boxer ARG will be the first to deploy with the Amphibious Combat Vehicle.
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.
