USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 9, 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 Dec. 9, 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. Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), with Carrier Air Wing 2 embarked, is operating in the Philippine Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 1

Carrier

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 2

• The “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Stingers” of VFA-113 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “World Famous Golden Dragons” of VFA-192 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Warhawks” of VFA-97 – F-35C – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Black Eagles” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 30 Det. – C-2A – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Black Knights” of Helicopter Sea Squadron (HSC) 4 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.
• The “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser

USS Princeton (CG-59), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 1
Destroyer Squadron 1 is based in San Diego, Calif., and is embarked on Carl Vinson.

• USS Sterett (DDG-104), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
• USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the Pacific

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is now operating in U.S. 3rd Fleet. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) is transiting the Pacific following operations last week in the South China Sea and Philippine 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 “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
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

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.
• USS Spruance (DDG-111), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

In the Middle Pacific

The U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) departed Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Thursday and is bound for Sydney, Australia, on its way to its annual icebreaking mission in support of Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica.

In the Mediterranean

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is sailing in the Mediterranean Sea following a port visit to Marseilles, France, last week.

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 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 (CG-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.

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

• USS Bulkeley (DDG-84), homeported at Naval Station Rota, Spain.
• USS Stout (DDG-55), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
• USS Cole (DDG-67), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

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. or Israel or ships that visit Israeli ports.

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 two independently deployed guided-missile destroyers in the Red Sea.

• USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
• USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

In the Gulf of Aden

As of Monday, the Navy has two independently deployed guided-missile destroyers in the Gulf of Aden.

• USS O’Kane (DDG-77), 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 cutter Glen Harris (WPC-1144) intercepted and seized 5,316.1 kilograms of hashish, 181.4 kilograms of heroin and 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine and, after documenting and weighing the illicit haul, properly disposed of it. Total estimated market value of the narcotics is $4.6 million.

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 Eastern Pacific

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) Nimitz-class aircraft carrier northbound in Puget Sound after leaving Bremerton – December 2, 2024 #ussronaldreagan #cvn76

SRC: RED- u/DiRT360 pic.twitter.com/jnHYs2g17m

— WarshipCam (@WarshipCam) December 4, 2024

Aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) departed Bremerton, Wash., last Monday, according to ship spotters.

USS Tripoli (LHA-7) is operating off the coast of California.

In the Western Atlantic

Amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) arrived Naval Station Norfolk on Friday completing a 7-month deployment, USNI News reported.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG consists 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.

Aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) departed Norfolk, Va., on Friday, according to ship spotters.

Aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) departed Norfolk on Friday, according to ship spotters.

Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) returned to Norfolk, Va. 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.