USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 3, 2024

September 3, 2024 12:39 PM - Updated: September 3, 2024 10:23 PM
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 Sept. 3, 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)
103
(USS 72, USNS 31)
81
(52 Deployed, 29 Local)

In Japan

Sailors assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) see families and loved ones on the pier as Blue Ridge returns to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka following a summer patrol, Aug. 20, 2024. US Navy Photo

U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Sea of Japan

Navy Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Jacob Scott, assigned to Beach Master Unit 1, and a native of Yacolt, Washington, signals Landing Craft, Air Cushion 57 assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5, during exercise Ssang Yong 24, at Dogu Beach, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Boxer (LHD-4) is underway in the Sea of Japan following a port visit in Busan, South Korea.

Boxer (LHD-4) has elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked.

Amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) is underway conducting operations in the Sea of Japan with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Group.

Both America and Boxer ARGs are participating in the Ssang Yong amphibious exercise with South Korean forces.

In Izmir, Turkey

USS Wasp (LHD 1), transits into Izmir, Türkiye, Sept. 1, 2024. US Navy Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is operating in the Eastern Mediterranean and arrived in Izmir, Turkey on Sunday for a port visit.

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.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

Boatswains Mate 1st Class Ethan Elks stands by as a MH-60R Seahawk helicopter assigned to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79, drops off pallets of supplies on the flight deck of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), during a vertical replenishment-at-sea, Aug. 19, 2024. US Navy Photo

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.

The Navy has also independently deployed guided-missile destroyers in the 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.

In the Red Sea

Satellite photo of the Red Sea. NASA Image

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 Monday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed two Houthi missile systems in Yemen.

Earlier on Monday, Houthis attacked two crude oil tankers, the Panama flagged/owned, Greek operated MV Blue Lagoon and the Saudi flagged, owned, and operated MV Amjad. According to the CENTCOM, the Houthi’s used two ballistic missiles and a one-way attack uncrewed aerial system, to attack both vessels.

According to CENTCOM, “Amjad is carrying approximately two million barrels of oil, almost twice the amount onboard the Greek-owned MV Delta Sounion, which the Houthis attacked on Aug. 21. Currently, salvage efforts are underway in the Southern Red Sea for the disabled MV Delta Sounion, which is still on fire and threatens the possibility of a major environmental disaster.”

On Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed one Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle and one uncrewed surface vessel in Yemen.

On Friday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi UAV in Yemen.

On Thursday, CENTCOM forces destroyed one Houthi missile system and one UAV in Yemen.

As of Monday, the Navy has independently deployed a guided-missile destroyer to the Red Sea.

  • USS Stockdale (DDG-106), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

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

Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mates conduct maintenance on an F/A-18E Super Hornet aircraft, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 211, in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Aug. 24, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is 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 Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the Gulf of Aden

Navy Aviation Machinist’s Mate transports an engine in the jet shop aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), Aug. 27, 2024. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is operating in the Gulf of Aden.

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 the Eastern Pacific

Sailors assigned to aviation intermediate maintenance department’s support equipment division, onload a carrier crash crane, commonly known as ‘Tilly,’ onto the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), while in-port Naval Air Station North Island, Aug. 28, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) returned to San Diego, Calif., on Monday, according to ship spotters.

In the Western Atlantic

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Jhonpaul Remigos, from Pearl City, Hawaii, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), assists with stowing an arresting gear barricade during a flight deck exercise, Aug. 29, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) returned to 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.

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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