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. 26, 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 |
| 296 (USS 236, USNS 60) |
104 (USS 74, USNS 30) |
76 (48 Deployed, 28 Local) |
In Japan
U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) returned to Yokosuka, Japan, on Tuesday, completing a 77-day patrol.
In Busan, South Korea
USS Boxer (LHD-4) departed Yokosuka, Japan, on Wednesday, according to ship spotters, and sailed to South Korea for a port visit in Busan.
Boxer (LHD-4) has elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked.
In the Philippine Sea
Amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) is underway conducting operations in the Philippine Sea with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Group.
In the Mediterranean Sea
Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is operating in the Eastern Mediterranean following a port visit to Limassol, Cyprus.
The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG is made up of Wasp, USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).
The 24th MEU is composed of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 as the Logistics Combat Element.
The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729) is also operating in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Ohio-class submarine carries 154 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles as well as special operations forces.
In addition to the Wasp ARG the Navy has independently deployed guided-missile destroyers in Eastern Mediterranean.
- USS Bulkeley(DDG-84), homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
- USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported at Naval Station Rota.
- USS Roosevelt (DDG-80), homeported at Naval Station Rota.
- USS Cole (DDG-67), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
- USS Stockdale(DDG-106), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
In the Red Sea
U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect merchant vessels moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel.
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.
On Friday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed a Houthi missile system in Yemen.
On Thursday, CENTCOM forces shot down two Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles over the Red Sea and destroyed one UAV in Yemen.
On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces destroyed a Houthi surface-to-air missile and radar system in Yemen.
In the Persian Gulf
U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters 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 Gulf of Oman
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), equipped with F-35C and F/A-18 Block III fighters, entered the U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility.
The USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group 3, is accompanied by Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 and… pic.twitter.com/RKoJQshigR
— U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) August 21, 2024
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) are both operating in the Gulf of Oman.
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, Va.
- The “Fighting Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- 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
The carrier strike group did not deploy with a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser. USS Lake Erie (CG-70) trained with the strike group but did not deploy. Instead, USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), has taken the role of the cruiser in the strike group, USNI News learned.
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.
Abraham Lincoln was ordered to transit to the Middle East to relieve Theodore Roosevelt, which is currently operating in U.S. Central Command. Both carriers are now operating in the Gulf of Oman.
Carrier Strike Group 3
Carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported at San Diego, Calif.
Carrier Air Wing 9
- The “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 14 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
- The “Black Aces” of VFA 41 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
- The “Black Knights” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 314 – F-35C – from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif.
- The “Vigilantes” of VFA 151 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
- The “Wizards” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 133 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Wallbangers” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 117 – 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 “Raptors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 71 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
- The “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.
Cruiser
The carrier strike group did not deploy with a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser. Instead, USS Frank Petersen, Jr. (DDG-121) has taken the role of the cruiser in the strike group, USNI News learned.
Destroyer Squadron 21
Destroyer Squadron 21 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Abraham Lincoln.
- USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
- USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
- USS O’Kane (DDG-77), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.
In addition to the two strike groups, the Navy has independently deployed guided-missile destroyers in the Gulf of Oman.
- USS Russell (DDG-59), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
- USS John S. McCain (DDG-58), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
- USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In the Eastern Pacific
Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) departed San Diego, Calif., on Thursday, according to ship spotters.
In the Western Atlantic
Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, Va., on Sunday following its Composite Training Unit Exercise, according to ship spotters
Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) conducted a friends & family cruise on Tuesday, and departed Norfolk, Va., on Thursday, according to ship spotters.
Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) departed Norfolk, Va., on Thursday, according to ship spotters, and has returned to port.
The three carriers were observed operating together on Thursday, 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.
