USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Dec. 21, 2020 December 21, 2020 11:49 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 Dec. 21, 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:

297

Ships Underway

Deployed Ships Underway	Non-deployed Ships Underway	Total Ships Underway
45	23	58

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces	3rd Fleet	4th Fleet	5th Fleet	6th Fleet	7th Fleet	Total
0	1	4	20	16	53	94

In Japan

A P-8A Poseidon, assigned to the ‘Fighting Tigers’ of Patrol Squadron (VP) 8, taxis into position to standby for snow flight operations at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa, Japan on Dec. 17, 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 Indian Ocean

Quartermaster 3rd Class Keilan Carter, from Martinsville, Va., inputs a deck log on the bridge of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 14, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group are operating off the Horn of Africa.

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) embarked is now in the U.S. 5th Fleet Area of responsibility. There has not been an ARG in 5th Fleet since the departure of the Bataan ARG in mid-June. 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).

Both the Nimitz CSG and the Makin Island ARG are in place off the coast of Somalia during Operation Octave Quartz.

Navy Landing Craft, Air Cushions 39 and 79 assigned to Assault Craft Unit 5 return to the amphibious transport dock ship USS Somerset (LPD-25) during Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) Singaporeon Dec. 11, 2020. US Marine Corps Photo

U.S. Africa Command is overseeing the mission to reposition U.S. forces from Somalia to other areas in East Africa. Operation Octave Quartz is led by Air Force Maj. Gen. Dagvin Anderson and will reposition forces “in a deliberate, conditions-based manner,” U.S. Africa Command said in a statement.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4), which is assigned to AFRICOM, as part of the operation, reported Stars and Stripes. Commissioned on March 7, Williams is a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary mobile base and is based in Souda Bay in Crete.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Teresa Conde, from San Diego, Calif., sculpts a sleigh for a Christmas cake aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 14, 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

Naval Air Crewman 1st Class Gary Penrod, from Deltona, Fla., inspects a tie-down in the hangar bay of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Dec. 14, 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) steams alongside the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Yukon (T-AO-202) during a replenishment-at-sea on Dec. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 9

Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53) man the phone and distance line during a replenishment-at-sea with the Military Sealift Command fleet replenishment oiler USNS Wally Schirra (T-AKE-8) in the Persian Gulf on Dec. 17, 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 Persian Gulf

Guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729), front, transits the Strait of Hormuz with the guided-missile cruiser USS Port Royal (CG-73). US Navy Photo

On Monday, U.S. 5th Fleet announced that nuclear guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSBN-729) entered the Persian Gulf. The modified Ohio-class transited the Strait of Hormuz with guided-missile cruisers USS Port Royal (CG-73) and USS Philippine Sea (CG-58).

“SSGNs are one of the most versatile platforms in the fleet, equipped with superior communications capabilities and the ability to carry up to 154 Tomahawk land-attack cruise missiles. The platform can also be configured to host up to 66 Special Operations Forces,” reads the statement from U.S. 5th Fleet.

Announcing an SSGN operating in the Persian Gulf is a rare move for the service and this public disclosure is intended as a message both to Iran and U.S. regional allies, USNI News understands.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) transits the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 18, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas for a sustainment exercise ahead of its second deployment since January.

Carrier Strike Group 9
The San Diego-based CSG 9 commands the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group and is embarked on the carrier.

Aircraft carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

An E/A-18G Growler, assigned to the ‘Gray Wolves’ of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142) is taxied to a catapult on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Dec. 17, 2020. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 11, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., is embarked aboard Theodore Roosevelt and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

• The “Tomcatters” of VFA-31 – Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Golden Warriors” of VFA-87 from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA-146 from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Black Knights” of VFA-154 from Naval Air Station Lemoore – Calif.
• The “Gray Wolves” of VAQ-142 – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island – Wash.
• The “Liberty Bells” of VAW-115 – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of VRC-30 – Detachment – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Eight Ballers” of HSC-8 – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Wolf Pack” of HSM-75 – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.

Cruiser

USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group, transits the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 18, 2020. US Navy Photo

• USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23
Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on the carrier.

USS Russel (DDG-59) transits the Pacific Ocean as part of the Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group on Dec. 18, 2020. US Navy Photo

• USS Russell (DDG-59), homeported in San Diego, Calif.
• USS John Finn (DDG-113), homeported in San Diego, Calif.

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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Article Keywords: USS America (LHA-6), USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), USS Georgia (SSBN-729), USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4), USS John Finn (DDG-113), USS John Paul Jones (DDG-53), USS Makin Island (LHD-8), USS Nimtiz, USS Princeton (CG-59), USS Ralph Johnson (DDG-114), USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), USS Russell (DDG-59), USS San Diego (LPD-22), USS Somerset (LPD-25), USS Sterett (DDG-104), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71)

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