USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 21, 2025

January 21, 2025 2:29 PM
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 Jan. 21, 2025, 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.

In Japan

Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, Commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, addresses the staff during an all-hands call aboard the repair and berthing barge YRB-30, in-port Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, Jan. 17, 2025. US Navy Photo

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

In the South China Sea

Sailors prepare to load ordnance onto an F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the ‘Golden Dragons’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 192, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier (CVN 70), Jan. 20, 2025. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), with Carrier Air Wing 2 embarked, is operating in the South China Sea and conducted a bilateral Maritime Cooperative Activity with the Armed Forces of the Philippines late last week.

Carrier Strike Group 1

An F/A-18F Super Hornet assigned to the ‘Bounty Hunters’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Jan. 20, 2025. US Navy Photo

Carrier

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

Carrier Air Wing 2

An MH-60S Knight Hawk, right, assigned to the ‘Black Knights’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4, and an MH-60R Seahawk, assigned to the ‘Blue Hawks’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78, prepare to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), Jan. 21, 2025. 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

Navy Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59), and the Philippine Navy Jose Rizal-class guided-missile frigate BRP Antonio Luna (FF-151) sail in formation during a Maritime Cooperative Activity while transiting the South China Sea, Jan. 17, 2025. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 1

Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) and the Philippine Navy Gregorio del Pilar-class offshore patrol vessel BRP Andrés Bonifacio (PS-17) sail in formation during a Maritime Cooperative Activity in the South China Sea, Jan. 17, 2025. 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 East China Sea

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Edward Stewart, from Suffolk, Virginia, assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), launches an F-35B Lightning II fighter aircraft from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 242 on the ship’s flight deck in the Philippine Sea, Jan. 20, 2025. US Navy Photo

Amphibious warship USS America (LHA-6) is underway conducting routine operations in the East China Sea.

America is set to leave Japan and shift homeports to San Diego later this year, USNI News has learned.

In the Antarctic

U.S. Coast Guard heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star (WAGB-10) is conducting its annual icebreaking mission in support of Operation Deep Freeze. Polar Star turned 49 on Friday.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

Cmdr. Scott Burrill, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), right, salutes the Republic of Cyprus offshore patrol vessel Commodore Andreas Ioannides (P61) following a maneuvering exercise, Jan. 10, 2025. US Navy Photo

As of last week, the Navy has one independently deployed guided-missile surface warship in the Mediterranean.

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

In the Red Sea

Sailors clear the flight deck to taxi an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Jan. 6, 2025. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Strike Group 8

Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mates (Handling) dolly an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) in the Red Sea on Jan. 6, 2025. US Navy Photo

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

Sailors, aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), prepare to receive supplies during a replenishment-at-sea with the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Jan. 15, 2025. US 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.
  • USS Jason Dunham(DDG-109), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
  • USS The Sullivans (DDG-67), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

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.

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.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have signaled they now will limit their attacks in the Red Sea corridor to only Israeli-affiliated ships, just as a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip entered its second day Monday. But the Houthis claimed to attack the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group on Jan. 19, throwing doubt on whether the Houthis have given up attacks in the Red Sea.

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

Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Micheal Temple, from Bayou Pigeon, Louisiana, directs sailors during small boat operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the Pacific Ocean, Jan. 18, 2025. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) arrived in San Diego, Calif., last Monday and departed on Thursday, 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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