USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 23, 2024

December 23, 2024 11:30 AM - Updated: January 31, 2025 9:22 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 Dec. 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

Total Battle Force Deployed Underway
297
(USS 236, USNS 61)
92
(USS 62, USNS 30)
32
(27 Deployed, 5 Local)

In Japan

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Steven Crisologo, from Manila, Philippines, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), prepares to launch an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 from the ship’s flight deck, Dec. 13, 2024. US Navy Photo

Amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) returned to Sasebo, Japan, on Thursday, according to ship spotters.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.

In the Sulu Sea

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) transits the Surigao Strait in formation with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), Dec. 22, 2024. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Strike Group 1

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110), left, and USS Sterett (DDG-104), right, maneuvers with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) while transiting the Surigao Strait with the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), Dec. 22, 2024. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 2

An F-35C Lightning II assigned to the ‘War Hawks’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97 prepares to launch from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Dec. 21, 2024. US Navy Photo
  • 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

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Sterett (DDG-104), left, and USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) sail in formation while transiting the Surigao Strait with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Dec. 22, 2024. US Navy Photo

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 South Pacific

U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) arrived in Sydney, Australia, on Friday for a port visit. The icebreaker is on the way to its annual icebreaking mission in support of Operation Deep Freeze in Antarctica.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79) fires the Mark 45 5-inch gun during a live fire gunnery exercise, Dec. 20, 2024. US Navy Photo

The Navy has one independently deployed guided-missile surface warships in the Mediterranean.

  • USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), homeported at Naval Station Rota.

In the Red Sea

Navy Fire Controlman observes Closed-In Weapons System (CIWS) watch aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Central Command area of responsibility on Dec. 17, 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.

Two U.S. Navy aviators were recovered safely after their two-seat F/A-18F Super Hornet was shot down by a U.S. Navy ship by mistake, according to a late Saturday statement from U.S. Central Command.

The Super Hornet, assigned to aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), was flying over the Red Sea when guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) fired upon it, according to the CENTCOM statement.

On Saturday, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted airstrikes against a missile storage facility and a command-and-control facility operated by Houthi-controlled territory in Sana’a, Yemen.

CENTCOM forces made strikes to “degrade Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden,” according to the command.

During the operation, CENTCOM forces shot down multiple Houthi one way attack drones and an anti-ship cruise missile over the Red Sea.

The operation included U.S. Air Force and Navy assets, including F/A-18s Super Hornets.

Last Monday, CENTCOM forces conducted an against a command and control facility operated by Houthis in Sana’a, Yemen. “The targeted facility was a hub for coordinating Houthi operations, such as attacks against U.S. Navy warships and merchant vessels in the Southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden,” according to Central Command.

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) is in the Red Sea.

Carrier Strike Group 8

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to ‘Red Rippers’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, takes off from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) on Dec. 16, 2024. US Navy Photo

Carrier

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) transits the Suez Canal, Dec. 15, 2024. US Navy Photo

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 Norfolk.

Cruiser

Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Gettysburg (CG-64) steams in the US Central Command area of responsibility on Dec. 16, 2024. US Navy Photo

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.

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

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

  • USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.

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 Eastern Pacific

Sailors and Marines man the rails on the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Dec. 20, 2024. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group returned from deployment. USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) arrived in San Diego, Calif., on Friday, U.S. 3rd Fleet announced.

Carrier Strike Group 3

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) arrives at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., Dec. 20, 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 “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 air defense commander role in the strike group, USNI News learned.

Destroyer Squadron 21

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Spruance (DDG-111) returns to its homeport of San Diego Dec. 19, 2024. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 21 is based in San Diego and was 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 Western Atlantic

Aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush (CVN-77) 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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