October 30, 2023 12:50 PM • Updated: October 30, 2023 2:10 PM
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 Oct. 30, 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 |
| 291 (USS 232, USNS 59) | 107 (USS 74, USNS 33) | 85 (57 Deployed, 28 Local) |
In Sasebo, Japan
Capt. Michael Fontaine, Commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Maj. Gen. Shingo Nashinoki, commanding general, Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Vice Adm. Chijo Tawara, JMSDF Sasebo District commandant, attend a memorial ceremony at Higashiyama Park Cemetery Oct. 28, 2023. US Navy Photo
The America Amphibious Ready Group is in Sasebo, Japan.
In Manila, Republic of the Philippines
Lt. Christopher Duncan, from Columbus, Ohio, gives a tour to staff members of the Republic of the Philippines U.S. Embassy on the flight deck aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), while at anchor in Manila Bay, Philippines, Oct. 29, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and other ships with the Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) are in Manila, Republic of the Philippines.
Carrier Strike Group 5
Chief Boatswain’s Mate Dennis Brown, from Lynn, Massachusetts, signals to line handlers as USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), anchors in Manila Bay, Philippines, for a routine port visit, Oct. 28, 2023. US Navy Photo
Aircraft Carrier
USS 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, lands on aboard USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), in the South China Sea, Oct. 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:
- The “Royal Maces” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 27 – from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.
- The “Diamondbacks” of VFA-102 from MCAS Iwakuni.
- The “Eagles” of VFA-115 from MCAS Iwakuni.
- The “Dambusters” of VFA-195 from MCAS Iwakuni.
- The “Shadowhawks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 141 – from MCAS Iwakuni.
- The “Tiger Tails” of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW) 125 – from MCAS Iwakuni.
- The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 30 – Detachment 5 – from MCAS Iwakuni.
- The “Golden Falcons” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12 – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan.
- The “Saberhawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 – from Naval Air Facility Atsugi.
Cruisers
Seaman Jalen Philipps, from Duncan, Oklahoma, chocks and chains an MH-60R Sea Hawk from the ‘Saberhawks’ of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77 during flight quarters aboard Ticonderoga-class-guided missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG-62) in the Philippine Sea, Oct. 23, 2023. US Navy Photo
- USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
- USS Antietam (CG-54), homeported in Yokosuka.
Destroyer Squadron 15
Sailors aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) and Singapore contractors conduct routine maintenance and voyage repairs during a scheduled port visit to Singapore, Oct. 18, 2023. US Navy Photo
Destroyer Squadron 15 is based in Yokosuka, Japan, and is embarked on the carrier.
- USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
In the Western Pacific
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
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group deployed on Oct. 12 and are now operating in U.S. 7th Fleet.
Carrier Strike Group 1
Carrier
USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70), homeported at San Diego, Calif.
Carrier Air Wing 2
- The “Bounty Hunters” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 2 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
- The “Stingers” of VFA 113 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore
- The “Warhawks” of VFA 97 – F-35C – from Naval Air Station Lemoore
- The “Golden Dragons” of VFA 192 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore
- The “Gauntlets” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 136 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Black Eagles” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 113 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
- The “Titans” of Fleet Logistics Multi-Mission Squadron (VRM) 30 – CMV-22B – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
- The “Blue Hawks” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 78 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island
- The “Black Knights” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 4 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island
Cruiser
- USS Princeton (CG-59), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
Destroyer Squadron 1
Destroyer Squadron 1 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Carl Vinson.
- USS Hopper (DDG-70), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
- USS Kidd (DDG-100), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
- USS Sterett (DDG 104), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
- USS William P. Lawrence (DDG 110), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor.
In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea
Sailor aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) on Oct. 17, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and its escorts are underway in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’s presence in the Eastern Mediterranean is meant to deter Hezbollah, Iran, and other actors from joining the war between Hamas and Israel. Hamas is a State Department-designated terrorist group that started ruling the occupied territory Gaza after Israel withdrew troops and settlers in 2005.
Earlier this month, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin extended the Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group’s deployment in the Mediterranean. The Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG is now headed to U.S. Central Command.
San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) and embarked 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) Bravo Command Element are in the Mediterranean Sea. Mesa Verde is part of the Bataan Amphibious Ready Group (ARG). Bataan and Carter Hall, the other two ships in the Bataan ARG, are currently operating in U.S. 5th Fleet.
Carrier Strike Group 12
Carrier
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), steams in the Ionian Sea, Oct. 4, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78), homeported at Norfolk, Va.
Carrier Air Wing 8
- The “Ragin’ Bulls” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 37 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Blacklions” of VFA 213 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Golden Warriors” of VFA 87 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Tomcatters” of VFA 31 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
- The “Gray Wolves” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 142 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Bear Aces” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 124 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
- The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
- The “Spartans” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 70 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
- The “Tridents” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station Norfolk.
Cruiser
- USS Normandy (CG-60), homeported at Norfolk, Va.
Destroyer Squadron 2
Lt. j.g. Liana Trombley stands watch aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116) while underway in the Red Sea, Oct. 26, 2023. US Navy Photo
Destroyer Squadron 2 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Ford.
- USS Ramage (DDG-61) homeported at Norfolk.
- USS McFaul (DDG-74) homeported at Norfolk.
- USS Thomas Hudner (DDG-116), homeported at Mayport, Fla.
In the Central Mediterranean Sea
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transiting the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28, 2023. US Navy Photo
The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28 and is now in the Mediterranean Sea. The CSG will operate in Central Command, not in the Eastern Mediterranean, as previously announced. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and the Dwight D. Eisenhower CSG deployed on Saturday, Oct. 14.
Carrier Strike Group 2
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transiting the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct. 28, 2023. US Navy Photo
Carrier
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.
Carrier Air Wing 3
- The “Gunslingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 105 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Fighting Swordsmen” of VFA 32 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
- The “Zappers” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 130 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
- The “Screwtops” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 123 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
- The “Rawhides” of Fleet Logistics Support Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Air Station Norfolk, Va.
- The “Swamp Foxes” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 74 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
- The “Dusty Dogs” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 7 – MH-60S – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Cruiser
U.S. Navy Damage Controlman Fireman Marcus Schiller, left, and Damage Controlman 3rd Class Kimberly Natalveres prepare for a simulated fire aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) in the Atlantic Ocean, Oct. 16, 2023. US Navy Photo
- USS Philippine Sea (CG-58), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
Destroyer Squadron 22
Destroyer Squadron 22 is based in Norfolk, Va., and is embarked on Eisenhower.
- USS Gravely (DDG-107), homeported at Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
- USS Mason (DDG-87), homeported at Naval Station Mayport, Fla.
- ITS Virginio Fasan (F 591), homeported at La Spezia, Italy
In the Red Sea
Marines assigned to the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit board a UH-1Y Venom helicopter, assigned to Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron 162 (reinforced), during flight operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Oct. 23, 2023. US Navy Photo
USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, are in the Red Sea as part of the U.S. naval buildup in the region.
Bataan and Carter Hall entered the Red Sea from the Gulf of Aden on Friday, according to ship spotters. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is embarked across the three warships.
Harpers Ferry-class dock landing ship USS Carter Hall (LSD-50) conducts flight operations with an unmanned aerial vehicle in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations, Oct. 23, 2023. US Navy Photo
The Marines aboard are trained to evacuate civilians in conflict zones. USNI News visited the unit in April during a non-combatant evacuation exercise in North Carolina.
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. The 26th MEU (SOC), based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., includes Battalion Landing Team 1st Battalion, 6th Marines; Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 162 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 22.
In the Persian Gulf
Personnel from USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) seize illicit drugs from a fishing vessel in international waters in the Gulf of Oman, Oct. 12, 2022. US Coast Guard Photo
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 with 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.
In the Western Atlantic
USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) in port in Reykjavík, Iceland on Oct. 24, 2023. US Coast Guard Photo
USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is underway in the Western Atlantic off the Coast of Labrador. Healy is conducting a circumnavigation deployment that started in Seattle, Wash.
USS George Washington (CVN-73) is underway in the Virginia Capes.
In the Eastern Pacific
Sailors assigned to the Air Department aboard USS Boxer (LHD-4) conduct deck landing qualifications with an MV-22B Osprey assigned to the ‘White Knights’ of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165, Oct. 27, 2023. US Navy Photo
Amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) is operating off the coast of California. Boxer left San Diego on Oct. 27.
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.