USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 23, 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 Sept. 23, 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

Amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) is in port in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Sea of Japan

USS Boxer (LHD-4) is underway in the Sea of Japan. Boxer has elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked

In the Philippine Sea

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group transited the Singapore Strait on Tuesday and was operating in the Sulu Sea on Saturday, according to ship spotters.

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 “Rawhides” 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 Eastern Mediterranean

Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) is underway in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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 Navy has also independently deployed guided-missile destroyers to the Eastern Mediterranean.

• USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
• USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51), homeported at Naval Station Rota.
• USS Cole (DDG-67), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

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.

On Friday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces destroyed one Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle launched from Yemen over the Red Sea.

Guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729) is now operating in the Middle East. The Ohio-class submarine carries 154 Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles as well as special operations forces.

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

• USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.

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 North Arabian Sea

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is operating in the North Arabian Sea.

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) had taken the role of the cruiser in the strike group, USNI News learned.

As of Monday, Frank Petersen had deployed to the Red Sea, and USS Stockdale (DDG-106) joined the Lincoln Carrier Strike Group.

Destroyer Squadron 21

Destroyer Squadron 21 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Abraham Lincoln.

• USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
• USS O’Kane (DDG-77), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.
• USS Stockdale (DDG-106), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Nimitz (CVN 68) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier leaving San Diego – September 18, 2024 #ussnimitz #cvn68

SRC: webcam pic.twitter.com/nppKI82KpU

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) September 19, 2024

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

George Washington is scheduled to relocate to Japan as the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet.

Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) departed San Diego, Calif., on Wednesday, according to ship spotters.

In the Western Atlantic

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) departed on deployment on Monday, according to the Navy.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Carrier
USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 1

• The “Red Rippers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA 143 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Sunliners” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Knighthawks” of VFA 136 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Main Battery” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 144 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Seahawks” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 126 – E-2D – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk.
• The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72 – MH-60R – from Naval Station Norfolk.
• The “Dragonslayers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 11 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Cruiser

• USS Gettysburg (DDG-64), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 28
Destroyer Squadron 28 is based in Naval Station Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Harry S. Truman.

• USS Stout (DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk
• USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) departed Norfolk, Va., on Monday and returned on Friday, according to ship spotters.

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) departed Norfolk, Va., on Friday, according to ship spotters. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is also underway.

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.