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USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 8, 2024

U.S. Naval Institute Staff – July 8, 2024 12:35 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 July 8, 2024, 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 ForceDeployedUnderway
296
(USS 235, USNS 61)
106
(USS 73, USNS 33)
66
(53 Deployed, 13 Local)

In Japan

Sailors assigned to the forward-deployed amphibious assault ship USS America (LHA-6) conduct a foreign object damage walkdown on the ship’s flight deck in preparation for flight operations, while moored in Sasebo, Japan July 2, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS America (LHA-6) left for an underway period on Monday, according to ship spotters. America will change homeports later this year, USNI News has learned.

In Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam

Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Renato Paredes from San Diego, mans the rails as U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) moors at Cam Ranh, Vietnam, July 8, 2024. US Navy Photo

U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) and the Coast Guard cutter USCGC Waesche (WMSL-751) pulled into the Vietnamese port of Cam Ranh Bay on Monday, according to the Navy.

“During the port visit, Blue Ridge and Waesche leadership will meet with the Vietnam People’s Navy, Vietnam Coast Guard, and Khanh Hoa leadership. Events during the visit include subject matter expert exchanges and community relations activities,” reads the statement.

In the Indian Ocean

Sailors move aircraft across the flight deck aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), July 4, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), conducted an ammunition transfer on Tuesday and transited the Strait of Malacca en route the Middle East on Sunday to continue the U.S. presence mission in the region.

Carrier Strike Group 9

Navy Fireman John Rafael, from Chicago, conducts maintenance on an aircraft elevator aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) during an ammunition transfer, July 2, 2024. US Navy Photo

Carrier
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), homeported at San Diego, Calif.

Carrier Air Wing 11

  • The “Fist of the Fleet” of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 25 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
  • The “Black Knights” of VFA 154 – F/A-18F – from Naval Air Station Lemoore.
  • The “Blue Blasters” of VFA 34 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana, Va.
  • The “Fighting Checkmates” of VFA 211 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Rooks” of Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 137 – EA-18G – from Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, Wash.
  • The “Liberty Bells” of Airborne Command and Control Squadron (VAW) 115 – E-2D – from Naval Air Station Point Mugu, Calif.
  • The “Providers” of Fleet Logistics Squadron (VRC) 40 – C-2A – from Naval Station Norfolk, Va.
  • The “Wolf Pack” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 75 – MH-60R – from Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.
  • The “Eightballers” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 8 – MH-60S – from Naval Air Station North Island.

Cruiser
USS Lake Erie (CG-70), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.

Destroyer Squadron 23
Destroyer Squadron 23 is based in San Diego and is embarked on Theodore Roosevelt.

  • USS John S. McCain (DDG-56), homeported at Naval Station Everett, Wash.
  • USS Halsey (DDG-97), homeported at Naval Station San Diego, Calif.
  • USS Daniel Inouye (DDG-118), homeported at Naval Station Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

In the Eastern Pacific

Aviation Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class Yusuf Smith, from Las Vegas, performs maintenance on an MH-60S Knight Hawk helicopter, attached to the Golden Falcons of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 12, in the hangar bay of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), in the Pacific Ocean, July 7, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway in U.S. 3rd Fleet, USNI News has learned.

The carrier will head to Washington state later this year for a planned repair availability.

Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) is transiting the Pacific Ocean en route her new home port of Yokosuka, Japan after participating in Exercise Southern Seas 2024.

Amphibious assault ship, USS Boxer (LHD-4) departed San Diego, Calif. on Wednesday, according to ship spotters. Boxer had been in port San Diego conducting emergent repairs on a rudder casualty discovered shortly after departing on deployment on April 1st.

Carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) was underway off the Pacific Northwest, according to ship spotters.

In Pearl Harbor, Hawaii

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) hosts a tour for Open Ship Day during Exercise Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2024 while in port at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, July 6, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) arrived in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, on Tuesday in preparation for Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercises.

In the Atlantic

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) sails in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo

Aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) is sailing the Atlantic Ocean en route to its homeport of Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Strike Group 2

Carrier
USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69), homeported at Norfolk, Va.

Carrier Air Wing 3

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) and the Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1) steam in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo
  • 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.
  • The “Rampagers” of VFA 83 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • The “Wildcats” of VFA 131 – F/A-18E – from Naval Air Station Oceana.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Cruiser
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.

In the Mediterranean

USS WASP (LHD-1) steams in formation with the Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (IKECSG), the Royal Navy Daring-class air-defense destroyer HMS Duncan (D 37) and the remaining components of the Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG) in the Mediterranean Sea, June 30, 2024. US Navy Photo

USS Wasp (LHD-1) pulled into Naval Support Activity Souda Bay, Greece, according to a statement from the service.

The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked deployed from the East Coast on June 1. The ARG is made up of Wasp, USS New York (LPD-21) and USS Oak Hill (LSD-51).

The Wasp ARG conducted joint, combined operations with the Eisenhower CSG and the U.K. Navy in the Eastern Mediterranean on Tuesday.

The 24th MEU is composed of a command element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) and Combat Logistics Battalion 24 as the Logistics Combat Element.

The temporary U.S.-built pier aimed at boosting aid shipments to Gaza was removed once again due to weather to protect it, and the U.S. is considering not reinstalling it unless the aid begins flowing out into the population again, U.S. officials said Friday.

In the Red Sea

U.S. ships continue to patrol the Red Sea as part of Operation Prosperity Guardian, the U.S.-led multinational effort to protect merchant vessels moving through the region. Houthi forces in Yemen continue to attack merchant shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, while U.S. naval forces in the region have continued strikes against Houthi weapons that U.S. Central Command says are a threat to naval and merchant ships. Houthi forces say they are targeting ships with connections to the United Kingdom, the U.S. and Israel.

The U.N. Security Council on Jan. 10 approved a resolution calling on Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to “cease its brazen” attacks in the Red Sea.

On Sunday, U.S. Central Command forces destroyed two Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in Yemen.
On Thursday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea and one Houthi radar site in Yemen.

On Wednesday, CENTCOM forces destroyed two Houthi radar sites in Yemen and two USVs in the Red Sea.

On Monday, CENTCOM forces destroyed one Houthi radar site in Yemen.

In the Gulf of Aden

On Sunday, CENTCOM partner forces successfully destroyed two Houthi UAVs over the Gulf of Aden.

In the Persian Gulf

U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutters 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 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.

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