USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 6, 2023

November 6, 2023 12:53 PM • Updated: November 6, 2023 9:40 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 Nov. 6, 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)	106 (USS 74, USNS 32)	76 (52 Deployed, 24 Local)

In Sasebo, Japan

From left, Takuya Kaneko, chairman of the Sasebo Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Capt. Michael Fontaine, commander, Fleet Activities Sasebo, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Vice Adm. Tateki Tawara, commandant of JMSDF Sasebo District, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Brig. Gen. Shingo Nashinoki, commander of Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, stand in review of JGSDF members during the Sasebo Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) Parade in Sasebo, Japan Nov. 3, 2023. U.S. Navy Photo

USS America (LHA-6) is in Sasebo, Japan, according to ship spotters.

In the Philippine Sea

Sailors reset an arresting gear wire following a landing on the flight deck aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), during flight operations in support of the Multi-Large Deck Exercise with USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) Hyuga-class helicopter destroyer JS Hyuga (DDH-181), in the Philippine Sea, Nov. 5. U.S. Navy Photo

The Reagan Carrier Strike Group (CSG) is underway in the Western Pacific. USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and other ships with the Reagan Carrier Strike Group recently made a port call in Manila, Republic of the Philippines, from Oct 28 to Nov. 1.

On Nov 3, USS Dewey (DDG-105), a forward-deployed guided-missile destroyer assigned to Destroyer Squadron 15, conducted a freedom of navigation exercise in the “excessive claim area” near the Spratly Islands, which are claimed by China, Vietnam and Taiwan, with features also claimed by the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei. Unlike previous news releases about FONOPs near the Spratlys, U.S. 7th Fleet did not give more detail about where Dewey sailed.

The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Dewey (DDG-105) receives fuel and supplies from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Tippecanoe (T-AO 199) during an underway replenishment while operating in the South China Sea, Nov. 5. U.S. Navy Photo

China, Vietnam and Taiwan require prior notification before a warship sails by the Spratlys, which violates international law, according to the release. Dewey‘s FONOP, without prior notification, was meant to challenge the claims by China, Vietnam and Taiwan.

“Unlawful and sweeping maritime claims in the South China Sea pose a serious threat to the freedom of the seas, including the freedoms of navigation and overflight, free trade and unimpeded commerce, and freedom of economic opportunity for South China Sea littoral nations,” reads the release.

Dewey‘s FONOP comes the day after USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) and Royal Canadian Navy Halifax-class frigate HMCS Ottawa (FFH-341) conducted a Taiwan Strait transit. The two ships were tailed by Chinese aircraft and warships, USNI News reported.

Carrier Strike Group 5

Aircraft Carrier

The U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), departs Manila Bay, Philippines, after a routine port visit, Nov. 1. U.S. Navy Photo

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

Carrier Air Wing 5

Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Aircraft Handling) Jared Scifert, from Monticello, Ind., signals the launch of aircraft on the flight deck aboard the U.S. Navy’s only forward-deployed aircraft carrier, USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), in the South China Sea, Nov. 2. U.S. 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

USS Robert Smalls (CG-62), homeported in Yokosuka, Japan.
USS Antietam (CG-54), homeported in Yokosuka.

Destroyer Squadron 15

Lt. j.g. Bryan Nguyen, from Fairfax Station, Va., stands watch on the bridge aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Rafael Peralta (DDG-115) in the Taiwan Strait, Nov. 2. U.S. 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.

USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) and the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group deployed on Oct. 12. The CSG is operating in the Philippine Sea.

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

Sailors pose for a photo during a costume contest held on the mess decks as part of a ship-wide Halloween observance while deployed underway aboard Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Hopper (DDG-70) in the Philippine Sea on Oct. 31, 2023. U.S. Navy Photo

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 Marshall Islands

U.S. Army Col. Rems Keane, Director of Operations for the 9th Mission Support Command (MSC) Honolulu, Hawaii, talks about the flight deck of the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) with Chief Hospital Corpsman Melinda Canales, right, and Chief Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) Timothy Godden, middle, as part of a tour with Pacific Partnership 2024-1 in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nov. 6, 2023. U.S. Navy Photo

Hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) reached the Marshall Islands on Oct. 30 for Pacific Partnership 24.

“The arrival of Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) to Majuro, RMI, signifies the launch of the Pacific Partnership 24-1 mission, which will enable American and Marshallese participants to work together to enhance disaster response capabilities and foster new and enduring friendships,” Commander, Logistics Group Western Pacific said in a news release.

In the Eastern Mediterranean Sea

Ships from the Gerald R. Ford and Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), U.S. Sixth Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20), and Italian Navy frigates Carlo Margottini (F 592) and Virginio Fasan (F 591) sail in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 3, 2023. U.S. 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.

Also in the Eastern Mediterranean is U.S. 6th Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20).

A U.S. Marine MV-22 Osprey aboard the San Antonio-class amphibious transport docking ship USS Mesa Verde (LPD 19), Mediterranean Sea, Oct. 29, 2023. U.S. Marine Corps Photo

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). USS Bataan (LHD-5) and USS Carter Hall (LSD-50), 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), 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

Ensign Christopher Duehr, assigned to the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul (DDG-74), uses a sound-powered phone during a replenishment-at-sea with the Lewis and Clark-class dry cargo ship USNS Alan Shepard (T-AKE-3) in the Arabian Gulf, Nov. 3. U.S. 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 Red Sea

The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transits the Suez Canal, Nov. 4. U.S. Navy Photo

The Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier Strike Group (CSG) transited the Suez Canal on Nov. 4 and is in the Red Sea. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) deployed on Oct. 14, while several of the carrier’s escorts left on Oct. 13. The carrier transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Oct 28.

U.S. Central Command said on social media Sunday that an Ohio-class submarine arrived in its area of responsibility. A picture posted with the announcement appeared to show the sub in the Suez Canal, northeast of Cairo. These SSGNs carry up to 154 tomahawk missiles.

Carrier Strike Group 2

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Carrier (CVN-69) sails in formation in the Mediterranean Sea, Nov. 3, 2023. U.S. Navy Photo

Carrier

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

Carrier Air Wing 3

The Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) transits through the Suez Canal, Nov. 4. U.S. 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, 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

The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) transits the Suez Canal, Nov. 4. U.S. 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

Bataan and Carter Hall, with elements of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked, are in the northern 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, Oct 27, according to ship spotters. The 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit is embarked across Bataan, Carter Hall, and Mesa Verde.

Among many missions for which Marines are trained is evacuating civilians in conflict zones. USNI News visited the unit in April during an exercise Non-combatant Evacuation Operation (NEO) 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

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 Charleston, S.C.

USCGC Healy (WAGB-20) is in port at Charleston, S.C., Healy is conducting a circumnavigation deployment that started in Seattle, Wash.

In the Western Atlantic

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) and Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Leyte Gulf (CG-55) conduct a replenishment at sea with French logistics supply ship BRF Jacques Chevallier (A 725) in the Atlantic Ocean, Nov. 4, 2023. U.S. Navy Photo

USS George Washington (CVN-73) is underway in the Virginia Capes.

In the Eastern Pacific

USS Boxer (LHD-4) and USS Harpers Ferry (LSD-49) transit the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 4, 2023. U.S. Navy Photo

Amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) is operating off the coast of California in the Southern California Operating Areas. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) is also underway off California.

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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USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: Nov. 6, 2023

Ships Underway

In Sasebo, Japan