December 7, 2020 12:16 PM • Updated:
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 Dec. 7, 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.
Total U.S. Navy Battle Force:
296
Ships Underway
| Deployed Ships Underway | Non-deployed Ships Underway | Total Ships Underway |
| 52 | 28 | 80 |
Ships Deployed by Fleet
| 3rd Fleet | 4th Fleet | 5th Fleet | 6th Fleet | 7th Fleet | Total |
| 0 | 5 | 20 | 16 | 57 | 98 |
In Japan
Seaman Iesha Cooke, from New Milford, N.J., conducts a communication check using the sound-powered telephone during a sea and anchor evolution in the forecastle of U.S. 7th Fleet Flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) on Dec. 3, 2020. US Navy Photo
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.
Reagan, which is the service’s forward-deployed carrier, pulled into its homeport of Yokosuka, Japan, on Nov. 14. Japan-based U.S. carriers typically make two shorter patrols every year, with a maintenance period in Yokosuka.
USS America (LHA-6) is in port in Sasebo, Japan.
In the Western Pacific
Navy Capt. John Kurtz, the commanding officer of the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD-25), co-pilots a UH-1Y Venom alongside Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit on Nov. 23, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo
The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked is operating in the Western Pacific. The ARG includes amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and amphibious transport docks USS Somerset (LPD-25) and USS San Diego (LPD-22).
In the Arabian Sea
Sailors check a catapult track during post-flight operations on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 2, 2020. US Navy Photo
USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group are operating in the Arabian Sea. According to the Associated Press, “The top U.S. Navy official in the Mideast said Sunday that America has reached an ‘uneasy deterrence’ with Iran after months of regional attacks and seizures at sea, even as tensions remain high between Washington and Tehran over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program.”
U.S. 5th Fleet Commander Vice Adm. Sam Paparo said, “That uneasy deterrence is exacerbated by world events and by events along the way… but I have found Iranian activity at sea to be cautious and circumspect and respectful, to not risk unnecessary miscalculation or escalation at sea.”
Carrier Strike Group 11
Sailors standby during post-flight operations on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 2, 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 Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 116, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 3, 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
Aviation Maintenance Administrationman Robert Mudolo, from Coram, N.Y., assigned to the ‘Battlecats’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 73, prepares to give the pilots of an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter start up instructions during night flight operations on the flight deck of the guided-missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) in the North Arabian Sea on Dec. 5. US Navy Photo
USS Princeton (CG-59), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
Destroyer Squadron 9
Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) conduct small boat operations in the North Arabian Sea on Dec. 5. 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
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is underway off the California coast after leaving San Diego on Dec. 3 for training ahead of a planned 2021 deployment. Vinson’s cruise next year will be the first operational deployment for the carrier-based F-35C Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter and the Navy’s new CMV-22B carrier onboard delivery aircraft.
The Essex Amphibious Ready Group is also underway in the Southern California Operating Areas.
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and guided-missile USS Buker Hill (CG-52) departed from California for an exercise ahead of its second deployment in 2020, according to ship spotters.
In the Western Atlantic
Sailors heave line during sea-and-anchor aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on Dec. 6, 2020. US Navy Photo
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas. Eisenhower is exercising ahead of a planned double-pump deployment early next year.
The Iwo Jima ARG, comprising USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7), USS San Antonio (LPD -17) and dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), is underway in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas. The 24th MEU is embarked.
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is underway, doing independent steaming in the Virginia Capes Operating Areas as part of the carrier’s 18-month post-delivery tests and trials period.
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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