Category Archives: Surface Forces

U.S. Drills with Allies in the South China Sea, Ghost Fleet Ships Operate off Australia

U.S. Drills with Allies in the South China Sea, Ghost Fleet Ships Operate off Australia

USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), JS Akenono (DD-108) and HMAS Brisbane (DDG41) and frigates HMCS Ottawa (FFH-341) and HMNZS Te Mana (F111) on Oct. 24, 2023. JMSDF Photo

Warships from the United States, Australia, Canada, Japan and New Zealand conducted drills in the South China Sea on Monday while the U.S. Navy’s Ghost Fleet arrived in Sydney, Australia, on Tuesday to conduct drills with the Royal Australian Navy. Meanwhile, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu was dismissed from his post on Tuesday, according to China state media. Read More

U.S. Carrier Moves to Mediterranean, Middle East Aim to Contain Conflict, Says Pentagon Official

U.S. Carrier Moves to Mediterranean, Middle East Aim to Contain Conflict, Says Pentagon Official

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) deploys from Naval Station Norfolk, Oct. 14, 2023. US Navy Photo

Moving two American aircraft carrier strike groups to the eastern Mediterranean sends a signal to regional actors like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran not “to jump on this terrible bandwagon” of fighting that began with Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, a senior Pentagon official said Tuesday. Read More

Recon Marines on Dirt Bikes Deploying to a Theater Near You

Recon Marines on Dirt Bikes Deploying to a Theater Near You

A U.S. Marine assigned to Reconnaissance Company, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, starts his MMX motorcycle in preparation for a raid during the ground interoperability exercise at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 24, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – For the past year, a Marine reconnaissance platoon has been testing an all-electric motorcycle that will help bolster its role as the eyes and ears of a Marine ground combat force in the expected future fight. Read More

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 23, 2023

USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Oct. 23, 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 Oct. 23, 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

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan, Japanese Warships Drill in East China Sea

Carrier USS Ronald Reagan, Japanese Warships Drill in East China Sea

The Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), arrives in Busan, South Korea for a port visit on Oct. 12, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) conducted drills with a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) frigate in the East China Sea from earlier this week, and Russian bombers flew off the coast of Japan on Tuesday. Meanwhile, China is pushing back on claims its fighter jet harassed a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) conducting a mission near North Korea. Read More