USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Sept. 30, 2024

September 30, 2024 12:03 PM - Updated: October 1, 2024 6:49 AM
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. 30, 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
295
(USS 237, USNS 60)
106
(USS 76, USNS 30)
71
(53 Deployed, 18 Local)

In Japan and South Korea

Marine Corps Cpl. Jaden Ibarra, from Oklahoma, and Staff Sgt. Richard Ashby, from Michigan, both low-altitude air defense gunners assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, move to a firing point with a Stinger Trainer Launch Simulator aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4) in the East China Sea, Sept. 26, 2024. US Marine Corps Photo

Amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) is in port in Sasebo, Japan. Amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) is also in port in Busan, South Korea. Boxer has elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked.

In the Pacific Ocean

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) transits the Pacific Ocean, Sept. 29, 2024. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is transiting eastward in the Pacific Ocean following a brief stop in Guam last week to reprovision.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Chief Aviation Maintenance Administrationman George Horton, from Hanford, Calif., salutes during a chief pinning ceremony aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Sept. 27, 2024. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 11

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the ‘Fist of the Fleet’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25, rests on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Sept. 25, 2024. US Navy Photo
  • 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

Capt. Larry Repass, commodore of Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 23, salutes sideboys during the DESRON 23 change of command ceremony, Sept. 25, 2024. US Navy Photo

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 Atlantic Ocean

Chiefs stand at attention during a chief pinning ceremony in the hangar bay aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), Sept. 27, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is transiting the Atlantic after departing on deployment last week.

Carrier Strike Group 8

F/A-18E Super Hornets, attached to the ‘Sunliners’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 81, maneuver in formation above the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), Sept. 26, 2024. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 1

Sailors prepare an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Red Rippers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, to take off from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), Sept. 25, 2024. US Navy Photo
  • 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 81 – 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

A sailor watches as the guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG-55), assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCSG), as the ship departs Naval Station Norfolk, Va., for a deployment on Sept. 25, 2024. US Navy Photo

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-55), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

Marines with Maritime Special Purpose Force, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) alongside special operations forces with the Cypriot National Guard conduct a bilateral parachute insertion during scheduled bilateral training with the Republic of Cyprus National Guard, near Nikokleia, Cyprus, Sept. 23, 2024. US Marine Corps Photo

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

Sailors conduct damage control drills aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Stockdale (DDG-106) on Sept. 15, 2024. US Navy Photo

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, three U.S. warships came under attack from Houthi drones and missiles while sailing through the Bab el Mandeb strait from the Gulf of Aden to the Red Sea.

Guided-missile destroyers USS Spruance (DDG-111), USS Stockdale (DDG-106) and Littoral Combat Ship USS Indianapolis (LCS-17) were attacked while transiting the strait, U.S. officials confirmed to USNI News on Friday. The warships shot down nearly two dozen incoming missiles and drones. None of the vessels were hit, and no sailors on board were hurt, according to a U.S. official.

On Tuesday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed one Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle 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.
  • USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Stockdale (DDG-106), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

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

Sailors selected for Chief Petty Officer march during a 2024 chief pinning ceremony aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) Sept. 24, 2024. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is operating in the North Arabian Sea. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered Abraham Lincoln and its attached destroyers to remain in the region on Sunday as regional conflict intensified, according to a Sunday Pentagon statement.

Carrier Strike Group 3

An MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 14, transfers cargo during a replenishment-at-sea with the Lewis Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Amelia Earhart (T-AKE-6). Sept. 17, 2024. US Navy Photo

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 cruiser role 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 O’Kane (DDG-77), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) steams through the Puget Sound as it departs Naval Base Kitsap, in Bremerton, Wash., Sept. 28, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) departed Bremerton, Wash., on Saturday and is operating off the coast, according to ship spotters.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) returned to San Diego, Calif., 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) is underway conducting routine operations.

In the Western Atlantic

Sailors assigned to the ‘Tridents’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, launch a U.S. Coast Guard MH60T Jayhawk, attached to Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Elizabeth City, from the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), during deck landing qualifications, Sept. 23, 2024. US Navy Photo

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

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) returned to Norfolk, Va. on Tuesday, 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.

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