USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 15, 2024

October 15, 2024 2:41 PM - Updated: October 15, 2024 3:44 PM
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These are the approximate positions of the U.S. Navy’s deployed carrier strike groups and amphibious ready groups throughout the world as of Oct. 15, 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 235, USNS 60)
104
(USS 75, USNS 29)
63
(43 Deployed, 20 Local)

In Japan

Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), lower a flag during America’s 10th anniversary celebration on Oct. 11 in Sasebo, Japan. U.S. Navy Photo

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

In the Philippine Sea

Aerographer’s Mate 3rd Class Rylan Caillouet, assigned to Strike Group Oceanography Team and a native of Fayetteville, Ark., utilizes a kestrel to locate weather formations from the weather decks aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) as the ship steams in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 12, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo

Amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) is in the Philippine Sea. Boxer arrived in the Philippines last Tuesday to support the U.S. Agency for International Development’s efforts in disaster response operations following Typhoon Krathon, which made landfall in the Province of Cagayan, Philippines, on Sept. 30. Boxer has elements of the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked.

In the Pacific

Lt. David Bailey, from Millersville, Md., assigned to air department’s primary flight control and air damage control division, walks along a catapult to check for deficiencies on the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) while underway in the Pacific Ocean, Oct. 12, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo

The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is still sailing to its new homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, as the Navy’s forward-deployed carrier assigned to U.S. 7th Fleet.

In the North Sea

The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), sails alongside the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) during a replenishment-at-sea, Oct. 10 in the Atlantic Ocean. U.S. Navy Photo

USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) transited northbound in the Dover Strait on Monday, en route to the North Sea, where the carrier strike group will conduct operations with allies and partners, according to ship spotters.

Carrier Strike Group 8

Carrier

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

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the “Knighthawks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 136, takes off from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Atlantic Ocean on Oct. 12. U.S. Navy Photo.

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 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 Det. – 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

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), assigned to the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (HSTCG), transits the Strait of Dover, Oct. 14, in the North Sea where the strike group will conduct operations with allies and partners. U.S. Navy Photo

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

Hull Maintenance Technician 1st Class Aaron Patterson, assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), welds struts on the ship’s port aircraft elevator, Oct. 9, 2024, while inport Limassol, Cyprus, for a schedule mid-deployment voyage repair (MDVR). U.S. Navy Photo

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

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 cake on board the San Antonio-class landing transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) awaits the cutting ceremony for the 249th Navy birthday celebration on the ship’s mess decks, Oct. 14, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo

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.

Bulkeley and Arleigh Burke are in the Eastern Mediterranean, while Cole is in Souda Bay, Crete, for a port visit.

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.

Guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729) is 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 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

A U.S. Navy Aviation Electronics Technician removes screws from the wing of an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 41, in the hangar bay of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) while it operates in U.S. Central Command on Oct. 10, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo.

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

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 “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 Det. – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk.
  • 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

U.S. Sailors conduct a foreign object debris walk down aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Frank E. Petersen Jr. (DDG-121) on Oct. 9, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo.

The carrier strike group did not deploy with a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser. Instead, USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr. (DDG-121) assumed the cruiser role in the strike group, USNI News learned. USS Michael Murphy (DDG-112) is currently operating with the strike group but is an independent deployer.

Destroyer Squadron 21

U.S. Sailors conduct flight operations aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS O’Kane (DDG-77) on Oct. 12, 2024, in U.S. Central Command. U.S. Navy Photo

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

Sailors aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) conduct an ammunition handling evolution with Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) while underway in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of operations on Oct. 11, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) departed San Diego, Calif., on Thursday, according to ship spotters.

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is in the U.S. 3rd Fleet area of responsibility, sailing home to San Diego.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Carrier

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

U.S. Navy Sailors launch an MH-60R Sea Hawk, attached to the “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), Oct. 9, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo

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 Det. – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk.
  • 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) took over the role of the cruiser in the strike group, USNI News learned. Daniel Inouye returned to Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Oct. 4.

Destroyer Squadron 23

Sailors participate in a live fire exercise aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), Oct. 9, 2024, in the South China Sea. U.S. 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.
Amphibious assault carrier USS Tripoli (LHA 7) leads the Parade of Ships during San Francisco Fleet Week (SFFW), October 11, 2024. U.S. Navy Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) left San Francisco, Calif., on Tuesday after participating in San Francisco Fleet Week activities last week.

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

In the Western Atlantic

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