USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 31, 2023

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 July 31, 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.

Members of the Command Honor Guard Detail parade the colors on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during the ship’s 20th anniversary of commissioning celebration in the Indian Ocean, July 30, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Ronald Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in the Timor Sea participating in the Talisman Sabre 2023 exercise.

Sailors lower ordnance onto a tow trolley on the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during flight operations in support of Talisman Sabre 23, in the Indian Ocean, July 26, 2023. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrierUSS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.

Carrier Air Wing 5

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Royal Maces’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27, launches from USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during flight operations in support of Talisman Sabre 23, in the Indian Ocean, July 27, 2023. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, based at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, is embarked aboard Ronald Reagan and includes a total of nine squadrons and detachments:

Cruisers

USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) in the Indian Ocean during Talisman Sabre, July 22, 2023. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 15

Destroyer Squadron 15 is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and is embarked on the carrier.

Destroyers

German sailor Stabsgefreiter Jonnih Lieske, with 5th Platoon, German Coastal Operations Sea Battalion, waits to enter the flight deck of the amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6), during an airfield seizure exercise for Talisman Sabre 23, in the Coral Sea, June 26, 2023. US Marine Corps Photo

The America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked is in the Coral Sea participating in exercise Talisman Sabre 2023.

“Talisman Sabre 2023 is being conducted across northern Australia from July 22 to Aug. 4 with more than 30,000 military personnel from 13 nations directly participating in it. Australia, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States are full participants with the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand attending as observers,” reported USNI News.

“The United States sent the America Amphibious Ready Group (ARG), which consists of amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) and landing platform docks USS New Orleans (LPD-18) and USS Green Bay (LPD-20) and the embarked 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)… Japan is despatching destroyer helicopter carrier JS Izumo (DDH-183) and landing ship tank JS Shimokita (LST-4002) as part of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) Indo-Pacific Deployment 2023 (IPD23) mission. Royal Australian Navy (RAN) amphibious assault ship HMAS Adelaide (L01) is participating in the exercise although Australia has yet to release any info on other RAN ships participating. Adelaide recently embarked British Royal Marine Commandoes on it for the exercise.”

British Royal Navy guided-missile frigate HMS Montrose (F-236), left, and guided-missile cruiser USS Monterey (CG-61) transit in the Arabian Sea, July 22, 2028. US Navy Photo

The Department of Defense announced it would dispatch two amphibious warships and thousands of Marines to the Persian Gulf as Iranian forces continue to threaten merchant fleets in the region.

Amphibious warship USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) and elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are headed to U.S. Central Command on orders of Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The Bataan ARG is currently in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

“Iran has attempted to seize 20 flagged ships since 2021. The most recent attacks follow Iran taking control of two tankers within a week of each other this year,” USNI News reported.“The U.S. currently has three destroyers in the region – USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), USS Paul Hamilton (DDG-60) and USS McFaul (DDG-74). Hudner and McFaul are assigned to the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group. USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) is operating in the Mediterranean Sea.”

U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters (FRCs) are forward-deployed to the region under Patrol Forces Southwest Asia (PATFORSWA). PATFORSWA deploys Coast Guard personnel and ships alongside U.S. and regional naval forces throughout the Middle East. Initially deployed in 2003 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA is now a permanent presence based out of the Kingdom of Bahrain.

An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to the ‘Ragin’ Bulls’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37, approaches the flight deck of USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), July 25, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is in Piraeus, Greece.

Carrier Strike Group 12

An MH-60S Knight Hawk, attached to the ‘Tridents’ of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9, transports cargo from USNS Medgar Evers (T-AKE-13) to the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) during a replenishment-at-sea evolution, July 21, 2023. US Navy Photo

CarrierUSS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 8

Aviation Structural Mechanic Airman Jacob Ward, from Lakeland, Fla., assigned to the ‘Golden Warriors’ of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 87, prepares chains for an F/A-18E Super Hornet to be transported on the flight deck of the world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), July 25, 2023. US Navy Photo

Carrier Air Wing 8 (CVW 8), stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, Va., is embarked on Ford for the deployment and includes a total of nine squadrons.

Cruiser

Ens. Jack Clancy, disbursing officer, USS Normandy (CG-60), prepares to set up the quarterdeck as the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60) pulls into Rijeka, Croatia, July 25, 2023. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 2

Guided-missile destroyer USS Ramage (DDG-61) steams in the Mediterranean Sea, July 25, 2023. US Navy Photo

Destroyer Squadron 2 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Ford.

Maritime Special Purpose Force Marines, assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit Special Operations Capable, conduct weapons familiarization drills on the flight deck of the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD-5) on July 26, 2023. US Navy Photo

The three-ship Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) and the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit are in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

“On June 20th, the Department of Defense announced that a portion of the Bataan ARG, USS Bataan and USS Carter Hall, will deploy personnel and equipment to U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM) to demonstrate the U.S.’ commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation and deterring Iranian destabilization activities in the region. While the USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) are set to execute a mission in (USCENTCOM) the USS Mesa Verde will continue supporting operations, activities, and investments (OAI) within U.S. European Command (USEUCOM).”

Last week, Mesa Verde made a port visit to Plymouth, U.K., and departed on Monday, according to shipspotters.

“Before disaggregating the Bataan ARG, an important task is to ensure each ship has the personnel and equipment necessary to successful execute their respective missions. The concept of cross decking is taking equipment and personnel from one ship to another, by either a service connector method, such as the Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) or by air, with a CH-53E Super Stallion.”

Embarked units include Amphibious Squadron 8, 26th MEU(SOC), Fleet Surgical Team 8, Tactical Air Control Squadron 21, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 26, Assault Craft Unit 2, Assault Craft Unit 4 and Beach Master Unit 2.

Lauren Weintraub, songwriter, from Boston, performs for the crew during a steel beach picnic on the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) on July 23, 2023. US Navy Photo

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is operating off the southeastern U.S. as part of a Composite Training Unit Exercise (COMPTUEX) ahead of a planned deployment.

The CSG consists of Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 3, Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 22 staff, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) and guided-missile destroyers USS Gravely (DDG-107), USS Laboon (DDG-58), USS Mason (DDG-87) and USS Carney (DDG-64), the service said in a March news release previewing the CSG’s makeup.

Coast Guard Academy Cadet Cassie Eagle takes photos of her peers aboard USCGC Eagle (WIX-327), July 17, 2023. US Coast Guard Photo

Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Eagle (WIX-327) is in port in New York City.

Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence (DDG-110) (left), Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and USS Hopper (DDG-70) sail in formation on July 18, 2023. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is underway in the Southern California Operating Areas conducting Fleet Replacement Squadron Carrier Qualifications.

Capt. Michele Schallip, commanding officer of Coast Guard USCGC Healy (WAGB-20), and Ens. Zane Miagany, marine science officer, oversee the landing of an Air Station Kodiak MH-60 during flight operations in the Gulf of Alaska, July 23, 2023. US Navy Photo

Coast Guard Cutter USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is in the Gulf of Alaska.

The cutter departed Seattle on July 11 for a months-long Arctic deployment. Healy deploys annually to the Arctic to support multiple science missions and Operation Arctic Shield, the service’s annual operation to execute U.S. Coast Guard missions, enhance maritime domain awareness, strengthen partnerships and build preparedness, prevention and response capabilities across the Arctic domain.

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, EOD Mobile Units and more serving throughout the globe.