Category Archives: Surface Forces

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 27, 2023

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 27, 2023

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 Feb. 27, 2023, 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. Read More

Unmanned Supply Drones, Forward Basing Key to Marines’ New Logistics Plan

Unmanned Supply Drones, Forward Basing Key to Marines’ New Logistics Plan

U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 262 (Rein.), refuel a CH-53E Super Stallion during a forward arming and refueling point exercise within a combat service support area on Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan, Feb. 9, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

The Marines have a plan for a fight spread out across wide swaths of the Pacific with small units moving from island to island. Now, the service is working through how it will get bullets, beans and bandages to units spread across thousands of miles. Read More

Pilot Error After ‘Sierra Hotel Break’ Resulted in South China Sea F-35C Crash, Investigation Says

Pilot Error After ‘Sierra Hotel Break’ Resulted in South China Sea F-35C Crash, Investigation Says

An F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter during a ramp strike aboard USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) on Jan. 24, 2022.

This post has been modified to clarify the recommendations from the investigators.

A 2022 ramp strike aboard the carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) that injured six sailors and resulted in the loss of an F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter was due to a mistake by the fighter pilot during landing, an investigation into the Jan. 24, 2022 incident determined. Read More

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 21, 2023

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 21, 2023

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 Feb. 21, 2023, 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. Read More

U.S. Marines, Japan Self Defense Force Kick Off Iron Fist Exercise in Western Pacific

U.S. Marines, Japan Self Defense Force Kick Off Iron Fist Exercise in Western Pacific

U.S. Marine Corps Col. Matthew Danner, commanding officer of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, right, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Col. Yoshikazu Nishida, the commanding officer of the 1st Amphibious Rapid Deployment Regiment, left, visit U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 1/4, 31st MEU, conducting defensive posturing for Iron Fist 23 at Hijudai, Japan, Feb. 19, 2023. US Marine Corps

The U.S Marine Corps and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) began the bilateral Iron Fist 2023 exercise last week. It’s the first exercise that has been held in Japan since it began in 2006. Previous iterations were held at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. Read More

Navy, Coast Guard Wrap Chinese Spy Balloon Recovery off South Carolina

Navy, Coast Guard Wrap Chinese Spy Balloon Recovery off South Carolina

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va.– Sailors assigned to Assault Craft Unit 4 prepare material recovered in the Atlantic Ocean from a high-altitude balloon for transport to federal agents at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek Feb. 10, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Navy and Coast Guard have finished collecting the remnants of a Chinese high altitude surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina, U.S. Northern Command announced Friday. Read More