USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 16, 2020

 November 16, 2020 10:38 AM

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. 16, 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
54	20	74

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces	3rd Fleet	4th Fleet	5th Fleet	6th Fleet	7th Fleet	Total
1	6	4	15	14	58	98

In Japan

Sailors prepare to man the rails as the Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76), returns to Yokosuka, Japan following a six-month underway period. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) has returned to port in Yokosuka, Japan. Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5 squadrons returned to their bases at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni and Naval Air Facility Atsugi in Japan. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) arrived in port on Nov. 14, 2020.

USS America (LHA-6) is in port in Sasebo, Japan.

In the Indian Ocean

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Sarah Freitas, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman Airman Erica Rodriguez cut a Veterans Day cake on the aft mess deck of the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Nov. 11, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group have just chopped into U.S. 7th Fleet and are en route to the Malabar Exercise off the West Coast of India. This creates a gap in carrier presence in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Machinist’s Mate Fireman Anthony Paredesheraldez, right, from Los Angeles, and Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Joseph Nieves, from Westfield, Mass., monitor aft steering as the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68) on Nov. 9, 2020 transits the Strait of Hormuz. 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

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17 are prepared for flight operations on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in support of Operation Inherent Resolve on Oct. 28, 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 Nimitz (CVN-68), the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) sail in formation during a scheduled transit of the Strait of Hormuz on Nov. 9, 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

A Marine with the All-Domain Reconnaissance Detachment, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), dawns his mission-oriented protective posture level 3 aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) on Nov. 9, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) is underway in the Eastern Pacific. USS Makin Island (LHD-8) with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked are headed west. 15th MEU Marines and sailors have been embarked aboard Makin Island, USS Somerset (LPD-25) and USS San Diego (LPD-22) for a month while conducting graduation training exercises.

In the Western Atlantic

Sailors assigned to the ‘Ragin’ Bulls’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 conduct preflight checks on an F/a-18E Super Hornet on USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN-78) flight deck prior to flight operations on Nov. 9, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

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.