USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Feb. 21, 2023 34USNI News by U.S. Naval Institute Staff / February 22, 2023 at 05:48AM

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 Feb. 21, 2023, 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.

Ships Underway

Total Battle Force	Deployed	Underway
295 (USS 238, USNS 57)	105 (USS 70, USNS 35)	67 (53 Deployed, 14 Local)

In Yokosuka Japan

Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Airman Donovan Zietz, from Flint, Mich., installs a light fixture in a wardroom aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) on Feb. 14, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is in port in Yokosuka, Japan.

In Osaka, Japan

Forward-deployed amphibious assault carrier USS America (LHA-6), transits the port of Osaka for the first time Feb. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) – consisting of USS America (LHA-6), Amphibious Squadron 11 and USS Green Bay (LPD-20) – are in Osaka, Japan.

In the Philippine Sea

Sailors prepare to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the ‘Blue Diamonds’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Feb. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is operating in the Philippine Sea. The Nimitz CSG deployed from the West Coast on Dec. 3 and chopped into U.S. 7th Fleet on Dec. 16.

The Nimitz CSG and Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), with embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducted integrated expeditionary strike force operations in the South China Sea last week.

Carrier Strike Group 11

Boatswains Mate Seaman Nevaeh Dunn, from Irrigon, Ore., records pallet counts during a replenishment-at-sea aboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Feb. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 17

Sailors prepare to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet from the Blue Diamonds” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 146 from the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Feb. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

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

• The “Fighting Redcocks” of VFA-22 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Fs from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Mighty Shrikes” of VFA-94 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Kestrels” of VFA-137 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Blue Diamonds” of VFA 146 – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Cougars” of VAQ-139 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Sun Kings” of VAW-116 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
• The “Providers” of VRC-30 – C-2A – Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
• The “Indians” of HSC-6 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station North Island.
• The “Battle Cats” of HSM-73 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser
USS Bunker Hill (CG-52), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 9

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93) steams alongside the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) on Feb. 15, 2023. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 9 is based in Everett, Wash., and is embarked on Nimitz.

• USS Wayne E. Meyer (DDG-108), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
• USS Chung-Hoon (DDG-93), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.
• USS Decatur (DDG-73), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
• USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60), homeported at Naval Station San Diego.

In the South China Sea

Amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) and aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) perform expeditionary strike force (ESF) operations, Feb. 15, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Makin Island (LHD-8), the flagship of the Makin Island Amphibious Ready Group, left Naval Base San Diego on Nov. 9 for a deployment to the Indo-Pacific.

The ARG includes Makin Island and amphibious transport docks USS John P. Murtha (LPD-26) and USS Anchorage (LPD-23). During the deployment to the Western Pacific, the ARG has worked with other U.S. assets, including Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21, P-8A Poseidon aircraft and personnel from U.S. 7th Fleet and CTF 72, 73, 75, 76/3, Destroyer Squadron 7 and Amphibious Squadron 7. Task Force 76/3 was recently formed as a result of merging the staffs of the Navy’s TF 76 and the 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade, III Marine Expeditionary Force.

F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters from Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122, 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), rest aboard the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Makin Island (LHD-8) on Feb. 15, 2023. US Navy Photo

The MEU includes the aviation combat element with the “Flying Leathernecks” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 122 flying F-35B Lightning II Joint Strike Fighters and the “Ugly Angels” of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 362 (Reinforced) flying MV-22B Ospreys; the Battalion Landing team of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines; and Combat Logistics Battalion 13 making up the logistics combat element.

In the Eastern Mediterranean

Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Baker, assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), directs an E-2D Hawkeye, attached to Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 121, on the flight deck during flight operations, Feb. 20, 2023. US Navy Photo

The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (CSG) was ordered to the eastern Mediterranean after the Feb. 6 earthquake in Turkey and Syria and remains there.

Carrier Strike Group 10

Sailors assigned to the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) look for foreign object debris on the flight deck after a replenishment-at-sea with the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8) on Feb. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), homeported in Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 7

Sailors assigned to the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77) attach a cargo hook to an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, attached to Helicopter Sea Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 46, during a replenishment-at-sea with the Supply-class fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8), Feb. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 7, based on Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked on Bush and includes:

• The “Pukin’ Dogs” of VFA-143 Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) flying F/A-18Es from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
• The “Jolly Rogers” of VFA-103 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
• The “Sidewinders” of VFA-86 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
• The “Knighthawks” of VFA-136 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
• The “Patriots” of VAQ-140 – EA-18G – Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
• The “Bluetails” of VAW-121 – E-2D – Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
• The “Rawhides” of VRC-40 – Detachment – C-2A – Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
• The “Nightdippers” of HSC-5 – MH-60S – Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
• The “Grandmasters” of HSM-46 – MH-60R – Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.

Cruiser

Sailors assigned to the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) prepare to trip the pelican hook from the fast combat support ship USNS Arctic (T-AOE 8) during a replenishment-at-sea, Feb. 9, 2023. US Navy Photo

USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.

Destroyer Squadron

Sailors assigned to guided-missile destroyer USS Truxtun (DDG-103) heave in lines while departing from Duqm, Oman, Feb. 19, 2023. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 26 is based in Norfolk and is embarked on the carrier. The following ships deployed with the strike group.

• USS Delbert D. Black (DDG-119), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
• USS Truxtun (DDG-103), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.
• USS Farragut (DDG-99), homeported at Naval Station Mayport.
• USS Nitze (DDG-94), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk.

In addition to these major formations, not shown are 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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