USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Jan. 4, 2021

 

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 Jan. 4, 2021, 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
50	5	55

Ships Deployed by Fleet

Fleet Forces	3rd Fleet	4th Fleet	5th Fleet	6th Fleet	7th Fleet	Total
0	4	2	19	16	56	97

In Japan

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Apprentice Micah Holland, assigned to the ‘Black Ravens’ of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 135, refuels an EA-18G Growler at Naval Air Facility (NAF) Misawa, Japan on Jan. 4 , 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

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) transits the Pacific Ocean on Jan. 1, 2021. US Navy Photo

The Theodore Roosevelt Carrier Strike Group is now in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of responsibility, operating in the Western Pacific.

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 F/A-18E Super Hornet, assigned to the ‘Golden Warriors’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, taxis into launch position aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) on Dec. 31, 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

Quartermaster Seaman Edison Vargas, from Harlem, N.Y., writes a deck log entry on New Year’s Day in the pilot house of the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Bunker Hill (CG-52) on Jan. 1, 2021. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 23

Rear Adm. Doug Verissimo, commander, Carrier Strike Group Nine, addresses the crew of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Russell (DDG-59) during an all-hands call on Dec. 31, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

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

In the North Arabian Sea

A sailor inspects an aircraft arresting wire on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to provide close-air support to Operation Octave Quartz on Jan. 1, 2021. US Navy Photo

USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and the Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are operating in the North Arabian Sea.

On Thursday, a statement from the Pentagon said Acting Defense Secretary Chris Miller ordered the carrier to end its deployment to U.S. Central Command and return home. On Sunday night, the Defense Department issued another statement that said USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and its strike group would remain in the Middle East in the wake of threats from officials in the Iranian government on the one-year anniversary of the U.S. killing of Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani.

“Due to the recent threats issued by Iranian leaders against President Trump and other U.S. government officials, I have ordered the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to halt its routine redeployment,” Miller said in the statement. “USS Nimitz will now remain on station in the U.S. Central Command area of operations. No one should doubt the resolve of the United States of America.”

The strike group had been operating off the Horn of Africa, supporting the relocation of about 700 U.S. troops from Somalia to other parts of East Africa.

Carrier Strike Group 11

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, from the ‘Kestrels’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 137, makes an arrested landing on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to provide close-air support to Operation Octave Quartz on Jan. 1, 2021. 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

Lt. Joseph Bayo, from Santa Barbara, Calif., operates as arresting gear officer as an F/A-18F Super Hornet, from the ‘Fighting Redcocks’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 22, approaches the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) to provide close-air support to Operation Octave Quartz on Jan. 1, 2021. 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 through the night on Dec. 28, 2020. US Navy Photo

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

Destroyer Squadron 9

Sailors stand in formation on the forecastle of the guided-missile destroyer USS Sterett (DDG-104) to represent the hull number of the ship ‘104’ during a crew photo on Dec. 31, 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 Indian Ocean

A Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II, assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, prepares to land aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) on Dec. 28, 2020. US Navy Photo

The Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) continues to operate off Somalia. The Makin Island ARG and 15th MEU are providing operational and air support to Joint Task Force – Quartz and Operation Octave Quartz. Octave Quartz is the U.S. mission to reposition 700 troops from Somalia to other parts of the region.

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB 4) conducte maritime operations off the coast of Mogadishu, Somalia in support of Operation Octave Quartz (OOQ) on Dec. 22, 2020. US Navy Photo

USS Hershel “Woody” Williams (ESB-4) is participating in the operation. Commissioned on March 7, Williams is a Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base and is based in Souda Bay, Greece.

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). The 15th MEU consists of the Command Element; the Aviation Combat Element comprised of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 164 (Reinforced); the Ground Combat Element comprised of Battalion Landing Team 1/4; and the Logistics Combat Element comprised of Combat Logistics Battalion 15. Other units include Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 23, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 49, Tactical Air Control Squadron 11, Beach Master Unit 1, and Fleet Surgical Team 1 from San Diego and Assault Craft Unit 5 from Camp Pendleton, Calif.

In the Persian Gulf

The guided-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN-729) transits the Gulf of Bahrain, outbound from a sustainment and logistics visit in Manama, Bahrain on Dec. 27, 2020. US Army Photo

On Dec. 21, U.S. 5th Fleet announced that guided-missile submarine USS Georgia(SSBN-729) entered the Persian Gulf.

“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.

The submarine made a port call at Bahrain from Dec. 24 to 27, according to photos released by the Navy.

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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