USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: May 19, 2025

May 19, 2025 12:40 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 May 19, 2025, based on Navy and public data. In cases in which a CSG or ARG is conducting disaggregated operations, the chart reflects the location of the capital ship.

Ships Underway

Total Battle Force Deployed Underway
293
(USS 234, USNS 59)
101
(USS 72, USNS 29)
66
(47 Deployed, 19 Local)

In Japan

Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), observe as a small boat is lowered into the water from the pier, May 7, 2025. US Navy Photo

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

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

America is set to leave Japan and shift homeports to San Diego later this year, USNI News learned. USS Tripoli (LHA-7) will replace America as the forward-deployed big-deck amphibious warship.

In Wellington, New Zealand

US 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) arrives in Wellington, New Zealand, May 16, 2025. US Navy Photo

Command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) arrived in Wellington, New Zealand, on Friday for a regularly scheduled port visit.

In the Andaman Sea

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kimberly Glanville, from Iron Mountain, Michigan, poses for an environmental portrait aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) in the South China Sea, May 13, 2025. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) transited the Singapore Strait on Saturday, according to ship spotters.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Sailors combat a simulated aircraft fire during a general quarters drill in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the South China Sea, May 16, 2025. US Navy Photo

Carrier
USS Nimitz (CVN-68), homeported at Naval Station Bremerton, Wash.

Carrier Air Wing 17

Sailors taxi an E-2D Hawkeye assigned to the ‘Bluetails’ of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in the South China Sea, May 13, 2025. US Navy Photo
  • The “Fighting Redcocks” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA 94 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Kestrels” of VFA 137 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA 146 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Cougars” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 139 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Bluetails” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 121 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 Det. – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
  • The “BattleCats” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Indians” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 6 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Destroyer Squadron 9

Destroyer Squadron 9 is based in Naval Station Everett, Wash., and embarked on Nimitz. These are the destroyers that embarked on the initial deployment.

  • USS Curtis Wilbur (DDG-54), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Gridley (DDG-101), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
  • USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
  • USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

In Naval Station Rota

Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) departs Praia, Cabo Verde, in support Obangame Express 2025. US Navy Photo

Command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) is in port at Naval Station Rota, Spain, after supporting the Obangame Express 2025 exercise.

“Obangame Express is one of three regional maritime exercises led by U.S. 6th Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns,” reads a description of the exercise.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) sails through the Mediterranean Sea, May 18, 2025. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75), with Carrier Air Wing 1 embarked, is now operating in the Mediterranean after transiting the Suez Canal on Saturday and operating for several months in the Red Sea. The strike group deployed on Sept. 23, 2024.

Carrier Strike Group 8

A Navy Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Fuel) refuels an F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 143, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during flight operations in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on May 10, 2025. US Navy Photo

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

An F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 11, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) during flight operations on May 5, 2025. US 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 Air Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 Det. – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
  • The “Proud Warriors” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 72 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
  • 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) flies its battle flag on May 14, 2025. US Navy Photo
  • USS Gettysburg (CG-64), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron 28

Sailors conduct small boat operations aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jason Dunham (DDG-109), May 8, 2025. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 28 is based in Naval Station Norfolk, Va., and 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.

As of Monday, the Navy had three independently deployed guided-missile surface warships in the Mediterranean.

  • USS The Sullivans (DDG-68), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
  • USS Truxtun (DDG-103), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
    USS Oscar Austin (DDG-79), homeported at Naval Station Rota.

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 Arabian Sea

Capt. Matthew Thomas, commanding officer of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), observes a replenishment-at-sea with the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Cesar Chavez (T-AKE-14) on May 14, 2025. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), with Carrier Air Wing 2 embarked, is operating in U.S. Central Command.

Carrier Strike Group 1

Navy Aviation Ordnancemen load ordnance onto an F/A-18F Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2, on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on May 12, 2025. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 2

An F-35C Lightning II, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 97, launches from the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on May 13, 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 “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 – CMV-22Bs – 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

Sailors aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) perform maintenance on a salvo warning alarm on May 6, 2025. US Navy Photo

 

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

Destroyer Squadron 1

A Navy Damage Controlman conducts self-contained breathing apparatus training on the mess decks of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) on May 6, 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 Western Atlantic

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 2nd Class Khala Downing, from Newport News, Va., assigned to the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), signals an MV-22B Osprey, assigned to the Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 263 ‘Thunder Chickens,’ for landing during flight operations on May 18, 2025. US Navy Photo

Amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) is operating off the East Coast.

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) conducted a friends and family day cruise Saturday, 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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