U.S. Naval Update Map: Jan. 28, 2009

The Naval Update Map shows an approximation of the current locations of U.S. Carrier Strike Groups (CSGs) and Expeditionary Strike Groups (ESGs), the keys to U.S. dominance of the world’s oceans. A CSG is centered on an aircraft carrier, which projects U.S. naval and air power and supports a carrier air wing. An ESG is centered on a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a heavily reinforced and mobile battalion of Marines. Each is equipped with a significant offensive strike capability.

Carrier Strike Groups

• The USS Theodore Roosevelt CSG is currently located in the northern Arabian Sea conducting maritime security operations for the 5th Fleet area of responsibility (AOR), which includes Iraq and Afghanistan.
• The USS Dwight D. Eisenhower is currently located off the U.S. eastern seaboard in the west Atlantic conducting composite unit training exercises (COMPUTEX) with CSG 8.
• The USS John C. Stennis CSG is currently under way in the 7th Fleet AOR in the western Pacific with Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 9 and Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 21 conducting routine operations.
• The USS Abraham Lincoln is conducting training exercises in the Southern California Operating Area as part of a scheduled workup.
• The USS Kitty Hawk will be decommissioned Jan. 31 in a ceremony at Naval Base Kitsap’s Pier D honoring its 47 years of service. The Kitty Hawk served as the only forward-deployed U.S. carrier, stationed at Yokosuka, Japan from 1998 to 2008. It was replaced by the USS George Washington in August 2008.
• The USS George H. W. Bush was commissioned on Jan. 10 at Naval Station Norfolk as the last of the Nimitz class aircraft carriers to be built. The USS Bush is scheduled to begin conducting sea trials later this quarter.

Expeditionary Strike Groups

• The USS Iwo Jima ESG is currently conducting maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet AOR.
• The USS Boxer ESG is currently under way in the 7th Fleet AOR with the 13th MEU conducting routine operations in the western Pacific.
• The USS Peleliu is located off the coast of Southern California conducting routine training operations.