USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 9, 2020

8h

Is this article about military?

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 Nov. 9, 2020, 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. This post has been updated.

Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:

296

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway	Non-deployed Ships Underway	Total Ships Underway
53	25	78

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces	3rd Fleet	4th Fleet	5th Fleet	6th Fleet	7th Fleet	Total
5	2	4	20	14	54	99

In the Philippine Sea

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Equipment) Airman Elijah Boughton, from Paris Island, South Carolina, cleans an arresting gear platform on the flight deck of the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) on Nov. 7, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is operating in the Philippine Sea.

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command forces and units from the Japan Self-Defense Forces completed exercise Keen Sword 21 (KS21) last week.

“Approximately 9,000 U.S. and 37,000 JSDF forces trained in the 11-day exercise. Forces under U.S. command included ships from the Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group and Commander Task Force 73, USS Ashland (LSD-49), HMCS Winnipeg(FFH 338); aircraft from the Carrier Air Wing 5, 5th Air Force; ground forces from the U.S. Army Japan; and air, as well as ground forces from III Marine Expeditionary Force,” U.S. Pacific Fleet said in a statement.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Rear Adm. George Wikoff greets Rear Adm. Will Pennington on the flight deck aboard America’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Nov. 5, 2020. US Navy Photo

Yokosuka-based CSG 5 commands the Reagan Strike Group and is embarked on the carrier.

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

Carrier Air Wing 5

Capt. Michael Rovenolt, commander Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, launches off the flight deck of America’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) in an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the ‘Dambusters’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 195 prior to conducting an inflight change of command for CVW 5 on Nov. 5, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, 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
• The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
• The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
• The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
• The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
• The “Tigertails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
• The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 Det 5 from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
• The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 from Naval Facility Atsugi, Japan
• The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 from Naval Air Facility Atsugi

Cruiser
USS Antietam (CG-54), homeported in Yokosuka.

Destroyer Squadron 15

Cmdr. Ryan T. Easterday, commanding officer of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-56) waves to the Takanami-class destroyer JS Oonami (JS 111) as it makes its approach during divisional tactics while conducting integrated operations on Nov. 6, 2020. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 15 is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and the staff is embarked on the carrier. U.S. 7th Fleet has not fully specified the escorts accompanying Reagan on its patrol, but the CSG includes:

• USS Mustin (DDG-89), homeported in Yokosuka.
• USS John McCain (DDG-56), homeported in Yokosuka.

In the Gulf of Oman

Vice Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, U.S. 5th Fleet and Combined Maritime Forces, watches the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) from the bridge wing of the coastal patrol ship USS Squall (PC-7) in the Persian Gulf on Nov. 8, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group have just transited the Strait of Hormuz – departing the Persian Gulf – and are now in the Gulf of Oman.

Nimitz made a port call in Bahrain last week. In October, Nimitz became the first U.S. aircraft carrier to put the Navy’s coronavirus-related port call procedures to the test in Bahrain.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 3rd Class Ryan Aylward and Cryptologic Technician (Technical) 1st Class Byron Jack, brothers from Pearl City, Hawaii, pose for a photo in the Combat Information Center aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) in the Gulf of Oman on Nov. 4, 2020. US Navy Photo

San Diego-based CSG 11 commands the Nimitz CSG and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier
USS Nimitz (CVN-68), homeported in Bremerton, Wash.

Carrier Air Wing 17

An E-2C Hawkeye, from the “Sun Kings” of Carrier Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, rests on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Oct. 31, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing 17, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., is embarked on Nimitz and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Redcocks” of VFA 22 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) F/A-18F Super Hornet – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Kestrels” of VFA137 F/A-18 E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA 94 F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Death Rattlers” of VMFA-323 F/A-18C – from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar San Diego, Calif.
• The “Cougars” of VAQ-139 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) EA-18G Growlers – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island – Wash.
• The “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 –Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) E2C Hawkeye – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of VRC-30 – Detachment – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) C-2 – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Screamin’ Indians” of HSC-6 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) MH-60S– from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Battlecats” of HSM-73 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Cruiser
USS Princeton (CG-59), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 9

USS Sterett (DDG-104) steams at night in the Gulf of Oman on Nov. 4, 2020. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 9 is based at Naval Station Everett, Wash. The DESRON commodore and staff are embarked on Nimitz.

• USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), homeported in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
• USS Sterett (DDG-104), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
• USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114), homeported in Everett, Wash.

In the Eastern Pacific

The Makin Island Amphibious Readiness Group prepares for a replenishment-at-sea on Oct. 30, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Makin Island (LHD-8) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked.

USS Essex (LHD-2) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.

In the Western Atlantic

Fire Controlman 3rd Class Daniel Thompson from Brooklyn, New York, assigned to USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) combat systems department looks at the sunset on Oct. 30, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is underway – doing independent steaming in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas – as part of her 18-month post-delivery tests and trials.

Ford has also been conducting carrier qualifications for fleet replacement squadron aviators. The mission of the FRS is to train pilots, naval flight officers and maintainers on their assigned aircraft types. Some pilots may be training for current and upcoming deployments, where they will relieve currently-deployed pilots serving in fleet squadrons.

The qualifications include both day and night flight operations. In order for FRS pilots to qualify and advance into a fleet squadron, the pilot must successfully complete two daytime touch-and-gos with 10 daytime landings, and two touch-and-gos with six nighttime landings on an aircraft carrier.

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.

VISIT WEBSITE