USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Aug. 12, 2019

August 12, 2019 10:52 AM - Updated: August 13, 2019 4:37 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 Aug. 12, 2019, 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.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:

290

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway Non-deployed Ships Underway Total Ships Underway
53 26 79

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces 3rd Fleet 4th Fleet 5th Fleet 6th Fleet 7th Fleet Total
2 1 2 23 14 57 99

In the Western Pacific

An F/A-18E Super Hornet from Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 flies over the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Aug. 6, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Western Pacific after an Aug. 7 port visit in Manila, the Philippines.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Capt. Pat Hannifin, commanding officer of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) greets Maj. Gen. Erickson Gloria, Deputy Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines, on the flight deck on Aug. 6, 2019. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan

Carrier Air Wing 5

An E2-D Hawkeye from Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 lands on the flight deck of the Navy’s forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Aug. 6, 2019. US Navy Photo

CVW 5, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi and Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni in Japan, is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan
  • The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
  • The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
  • The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
  • The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
  • The “Tiger Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from MCAS Iwakuni, Japan
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan
  • The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan

U.S. 7th Fleet has not named all the escorts for the Reagan CSG, but it includes Japan-based guided-missile cruisers USS Chancellorsville (CG-62) USS Antietam (CG-54)

In the Persian Gulf

Amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) conducts a replenishment-at-sea with fleet replenishment oiler ship USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO-199) on Aug. 10, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with 11th MEU is underway in the Persian Gulf.

“Marines and sailors from the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) completed a two-week training exercise aboard multiple U.S. military installations in Kuwait, Aug. 9,” according to to a release from the Navy.

Amphibious Squadron 5 (PHIBRON 5) is the ARG commander. In addition to the Wasp-class USS Boxer (LHD-4), the ARG also includes Whidbey Island-class USS Harper’s Ferry (LSD-49) and San Antonio-class USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26).

Air Traffic Controller 3rd Class Eduardo Luna, from Madera, Calif., watches the display screen of the SPN 35 in the Amphibious Air Traffic Control Center onboard amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) on Aug. 11, 2019. US Navy Photo

The ARG includes the “Blackjacks” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 21, Assault Craft Unit 5, Naval Beach Group 1, Beachmaster Unit 1, Fleet Surgical Team 5, and Tactical Air Control Squadron 11.

The Camp Pendleton-based 11th MEU comprises Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines; Marine Attack Squadron 214 equipped with AV-8B Harriers; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 163 (Reinforced); and Combat Logistics Battalion 11.

In the Gulf of Oman

Aviation Ordnaceman 3rd Class Mason Hardy fires a .50-caliber machine gun during a live-fire exercise aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Aug. 10, 2019. US Navy Photo

The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Gulf of Oman. Tensions remain high in the area in and around the Strait of Hormuz.

Carrier Strike Group 12

Lt. Cmdr. Reza A. Chegini supervises as the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) pumps fuel to USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) during a replenishment-at-sea on Aug. 9, 2019. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), homeported in Norfolk, Va. (shifting to San Diego, Calif., upon completion of deployment)

Carrier Air Wing 7

An F/A-18F Super Hornet attached to the “Jolly Rogers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 103 flies over the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) on Aug. 6, 2019. US Navy Photo

CVW 7, based at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked aboard Lincoln and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

  • The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Patriots” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 140 from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Bluetails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Night Dippers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 5 from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Griffins” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 79 from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 2

Boatswain’s Mate 3rd Class Nathaniel Smith directs an MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, assigned to the “Chargers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26, aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG-96) on Aug. 8, 2019. US Navy Photo

The leadership of DESRON 2 is embarked aboard Lincoln and commands the guided-missile destroyers that are operating as part of the CSG.

  • USS Bainbridge (DDG-96), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • USS Nitze (DDG-94), homeported in Norfolk, Va.
  • ESPS Méndez Núñez (F 104), Ferrol Naval Base, Spain

Guided-missile Cruiser

  • USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

In the Western Atlantic

Seaman Kamryn Clevinger, from Dallas, stands watch on the fantail aboard the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on Aug. 6, 2019. US Navy Photo

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) are underway for training in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are thousands of others serving in submarines, individual surface ships, aircraft squadrons, SEALs, Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Forces, Seabees, Coast Guard cutters, EOD Mobile Units, and more serving throughout the globe.

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