U.S. NAVAL INSTITUTE STAFF JUNE 24, 2024 1:27 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 June 24, 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 Force | Deployed | Underway |
| 296 (USS 235, USNS 61) | 108 (USS 75, USNS 33) | 75 (53 Deployed, 22 Local) |
In Japan
USS America (LHA-6) is in Sasebo. America will change homeports later this year, USNI News has learned.
In the Philippine Sea
USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) is underway in the Philippine Sea after a port visit to Guam on Wednesday. The carrier wrapped the Valiant Shield 2024 exercise on Tuesday.
The carrier will head to Washington state later this year for a planned repair availability. USS George Washington (CVN-73) will replace Reagan in Japan.
In the South China Sea
U.S. 7th Fleet command ship USS Blue Ridge (LCC-19) is underway in the South China Sea after a port visit to Manila following Valiant Shield.
In Busan, South Korea
USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) arrived in Busan, South Korea, on Saturday for an exercise with South Korea and Japan. Following the exercise, Theodore Roosevelt is expected to transit to the Middle East to relieve USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and continue a U.S. presence mission in the region, USNI News reported on Friday.
Carrier Strike Group 9
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 Atlantic and Baltic Sea
Twenty NATO Allies concluded the 53rd iteration of exercise Baltic Operations 2024 (BALTOPS-24) in Kiel, Germany, on Thursday. U.S. 6th Fleet command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20) arrived in Kiel on Thursday, according to ship spotters.
The amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD-1), recently in the Baltic Sea for the BALTOPS exercise, transited northbound under the Storebaelt Bridge in Denmark on Wednesday and was spotted heading southbound in the English Channel on Friday, according to ship spotters.
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 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.
In the Mediterranean
The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) departed the Red Sea on Saturday and will operate briefly in the Mediterranean before returning to its homeport of Norfolk, Va., after being deployed for more than eight months. The destroyer escorts assigned to the strike group will remain in U.S. 5th Fleet, a U.S. official told USNI News on Friday. USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71), currently in the Pacific, will leave for the Middle East to continue a U.S. presence mission in the region, USNI News reported.
Carrier Strike Group 2
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.
- 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.
The temporary U.S.-built pier aimed at boosting aid shipments to Gaza was reattached to the coast and deliveries of humanitarian assistance resumed, the Pentagon said on Thursday. The pier had been temporarily relocated to Ashdod, Israel to prevent structural damage caused by the heightened sea state.
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.
There has been near-daily activity in the Red Sea over the last week, with U.S. Central Command forces destroying ten Iranian-backed Houthi uncrewed surface vessels, eleven uncrewed aerial systems, as well as one ground control station, one command and control node, and four radars in Houthi controlled areas of Yemen, according to CENTCOM.
On Saturday, U.S. forces destroyed three unmanned surface vessels in the Red Sea.
On Thursday, U.S. forces destroyed four unmanned surface vessels and two unmanned aerial systems in the Red Sea.
On Wednesday, U.S. forces destroyed two uncrewed surface vessels in the Red Sea. U.S. forces destroyed one Houthi ground control station and one command and control node in Yemen.
On Tuesday, U.S. forces destroyed eight Houthi uncrewed aerial systems in Yemen.
On June 17, U.S. Forces destroyed four Houthi radars and one uncrewed surface vessel (USV) in Yemen and one UAV over the Red Sea.
The command also denied claims from Houthi forces that the group successfully attacked USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69).
In the Gulf of Aden
On Sunday, Houthis attacked MV Transworld Navigator, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned, and operated bulk cargo carrier in a suspected uncrewed aerial system attack. The crew reported minor injuries and moderate damage to the ship but was able to continue its transit. CENTCOM said the attack was the fourth attack by the Houthis on Transworld Navigator.
On Saturday, Iranian-backed Houthis launched three anti-ship ballistic missiles into the Gulf of Aden.
On Tuesday, partner forces shot down one Houthi uncrewed aerial vehicle 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 the Western Atlantic
The aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN-75) arrived in Norfolk, Va., on Thursday, according to ship spotters.
In the Eastern Pacific
Aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) is en route to Hawaii to join the Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercises
Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) departed Bremerton, Wash., on Wednesday, according to ship spotters, and returned on Sunday after completing sea trials.
Aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN-73) conducted bilateral exercises with the Peruvian Navy and anchored off the coast of Peru on Thursday.
As part of its transit to Japan, George Washington is participating in Southern Seas 2024, which seeks “to enhance capability, improve interoperability, and strengthen maritime partnerships with countries throughout the region through joint, multinational and interagency exchanges and cooperation,” according to a news release from U.S. Southern Command.
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.