# Carrier Battle Groups - How Many? Where Now? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 28, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319 "2002-12-28T06:04:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 6:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/1 "2002-12-28T06:04:00Z")
OK, so how many active, and inactive, carrier battle groups do we have? And where are each of them now? Why, you ask? Better to understand [these published orders](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=542&ncid=716&e=2&u=/ap/20021228/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_iraq). Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![fauxpas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e480ec/32.png) [@fauxpas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fauxpas)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 9:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/2 "2002-12-28T09:13:51Z")
This should be in MPSS…or Cafe Society… ---
**Author:** ![Blown\_Injected](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a87d85/32.png) [@Blown\_Injected](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blown_Injected)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/3 "2002-12-28T09:28:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by fauxpas \* > \*\*This should be in MPSS…or Cafe Society… \*\* Seems like a real GQ, but why ask? a sleeper sell getting bored and lookin’ for action? They are commin’ and they got the biggest can of whoop ass that it probably don’t matter how much info gathering the enemy gathers. ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 10:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/4 "2002-12-28T10:12:08Z")
[This site](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/batgru-intro.htm) mentions that there are a total of 11 active carriers (with associated battle groups), and one reserver/training carrier (the _John F. Kennedy_) which can be deployed, if necessary. There are typically three Carrier Battle Groups (CVBGs) and three Amphibious Ready Groups (ARGs) deployed at any given time. [This site](http://www.ne.jp/asahi/gonavy/atsugi/gonavy604.html) has some info as to where (generally speaking - specifics aren’t typically made public for security reasons) the carriers are currently (more or less). ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/5 "2002-12-28T16:12:13Z")
From **Darwin’s Finch** ’s cite: **USS Kitty Hawk** - Japan **USS Constellation** - in the mix right now, scheduled for decommissioning in nine months **USS Enterprise** - scheduled to come out of a one year dry-dock next month, Norfolk, VA **USS John F. Kennedy** - scheduled to go in the shop for nine months in a few weeks, Mayport, FL **USS Nimitz** - scheduled to deploy anyway, San Diego, CA **USS Dwight D. Eisenhower** - Home Boat to our own **ChiefScott** , in the shop for three years **USS John C. Stennis** - San Diego **USS Harry S. Truman** - just deployed, hit the Med last week **USS Carl Vinson** - Bremerton, WA, schedule to go into the shop in about two years for a long stay **USS Teddy Roosevelt** - scheduled to deploy in a few months, Norfolk, VA **USS Abraham Lincoln** - has been in the mix, scheduled to head home now, but there are still thinking about that. Waiting for word in Australia, I think. **USS George Washington** - JUST got home last week from the Persian Gulf, was in the mix, now Norfolk, VA. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2002, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/6 "2002-12-28T23:35:25Z")
Wouldn’t you like to know…Sheik **Duckster**? 😉 😃 ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/7 "2002-12-29T01:10:02Z")
What did Sen. John C. Stennis do to deserve the honor having a carrier named after him? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![UncleBill](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/d26b3c/32.png) [@UncleBill](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBill)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/8 "2002-12-29T01:48:37Z")
[Apparently](http://www.cvn74.navy.mil/pages/facts/senator.htm#stennis) that is not well known. ---
**Author:** ![Ringo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/779978/32.png) [@Ringo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ringo)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/9 "2002-12-29T01:51:37Z")
The Navy knows which side its bread is buttered on. From [a description of the seal](http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/navy/batgru-74.htm) of the USS John C. Stennis: > [@](#): > > The three arrows in the eagles’ talons symbolize the Ship and Air Wing’s awesome ability to project power. They also represent Senator John C. Stennis over three decades on both the Senate Armed Service Committee (37 years) and Appropriations Committee (33 years), where he oversaw our country’s military capabilities and earned the title “Father of America’s Modern Navy.” ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/10 "2002-12-29T07:19:44Z")
A slight hijack - What’s a carrier group the equivalent of, in military terms? A division or a corps? ---
**Author:** ![I\_am\_Sparticus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c68b51/32.png) [@I\_am\_Sparticus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/I_am_Sparticus)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/11 "2002-12-29T08:49:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Alessan \* > \*\*A slight hijack - > > What’s a carrier group the equivalent of, in military terms? A division or a corps? \*\* It represents an enormous investment in personnel and capital. [http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:BaP7uIc6czEC:navweb.secnav.navy.mil/pubbud/03pres/highbook/SectionI\_Introduction.pdf+carrier+battlegroup+manpower+cost&hl=en&ie=UTF-8](http://216.239.53.100/search?q=cache:BaP7uIc6czEC:navweb.secnav.navy.mil/pubbud/03pres/highbook/SectionI_Introduction.pdf+carrier+battlegroup+manpower+cost&hl=en&ie=UTF-8) They were originally designed to counter the threat of the Soviet Union. There is no country on Earth today that is anywhere near the level of opposition potentially faced from the Soviets. In direct answer to your question, certainly more than a division, probably more than several divisions making up a corps. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 9:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/12 "2002-12-29T09:02:22Z")
Money aside, how many stars does the guy in charge have? One usually means division, two means corps. ---
**Author:** ![critter42](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/7ba0ec/32.png) [@critter42](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/critter42)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2002, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/13 "2002-12-29T13:54:39Z")
**Alessan** , You cannot make a direct comparison between ground force units and Naval units. The two are nothing alike. A typical **carrier** battlegroup consists of: > [@](#): > > 1 Carrier (CV/CVN) – Strike warfare > 2 Cruisers (CG) – Air warfare (TBMD) > 3 Destroyers/Frigates (DD(G)/FFG) – Surface and undersea warfare > 2 Attack submarines (SSN) – Surface and undersea warfare > 1 Fast Combat Support (AOE) – Replenishment plus the Carrier Air Wing. [cite](http://www.cadre.maxwell.af.mil/warfarestudies/wpc/wpc_txt/navy/cvbg.htm) That link also states in the first paragraph that the composition of a Carrier Battlegroup has varied composition over the years, whereas IIRC, the definition of a unit, division, etc has remained constant over the years. The “person in charge” doesn’t wear any stars, unless they’re on the tie he chose to wear off of Air Force One (g,d,r). Sorry. Couldn’t help it :). Actually, I have seen 1 AND 2 star Admirals in charge of battle groups, but they’re mostly Read Admirals (Lower Half). critter42 ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/14 "2002-12-30T20:49:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* > \*\*Wouldn’t you like to know…Sheik **Duckster**? 😉 😃 \*\* Actually, just wanted to know how thinly spread we may turn out to be. Since Rumsfeld boasted we can fight a three front war (Afghanistan, Iraq and North Korea) I just want to know some simple logistics. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/15 "2002-12-30T20:58:41Z")
## quote: ## Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor Wouldn’t you like to know…Sheik Duckster ? > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Duckster \* > \*\*Actually, just wanted to know how thinly spread we may turn out to be. Since Rumsfeld boasted we can fight a three front war (Afghanistan, Iraq and North Korea) I just want to know some simple logistics. \*\* Typed while he tapped out a coded Morse message on the Shortwave set he keeps concealed in his hat. OK **Duckster** …what famous Duck wears a sailor suit? 😉 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/16 "2002-12-30T21:21:11Z")
I would wager the US is more than happy to let everyone know where the carrier battlegroups are. They act as a deterrent in their own right and I think there have been several times where merely deploying a CVBG to a region has cooled itchy trigger fingers. Hell, IIRC just stationing a battleship off the coast in Vietnam was enough to give the North Vietnamese fits and bring them back to the negotiating table. I would think a modern carrier can carry a similar message. Knowing where a battle group is deployed doesn’t help you much anyway. While at sea woe be to the person or people who try to go after one. Heavily armed hardly does them justice. Most countries would have to deploy their entire air force in one go just to have a decent shot at doing them damage (most countries have nowhere near the naval capacity to probably even get within sight of one). Even if the carrier is taken out they will almost certainly exact a heavy toll on the country that did it and they are then doubly screwed when the next carrier shows-up on their doorstep. ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/17 "2002-12-30T21:53:09Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Whack-a-Mole_ > **I would wager the US is more than happy to let everyone know where the carrier battlegroups are.** At one time that may have been true. But, it would seem, [such is no longer the case](http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/watch/index.html): > [@](#): > > The Union-Tribune will indefinitely stop publishing the Standing the Watch map, which shows the at-sea locations of San Diego-based Navy ships, because of tightened military security in the aftermath of the recent terrorist attacks. Also, from [_USS Kitty Hawk_’s homepage](http://www.kittyhawk.navy.mil/news/oct02/safeguard.html): > [@](#): > > “OPSEC (Operational Security) is protecting sensitive information so that it can’t be used by others against us,” explained Lt. Cmdr. Carol Prather, command security manager on board USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63). “It’s important that we don’t make it easy for anyone who’s working against us to get a tactical advantage.” > > According to Intelligence Specialist Senior Chief James T. Isham, Hawk’s intelligence division leading chief petty officer, OPSEC runs under the principle that one or more pieces of unclassified material, when put together, can damage security by revealing classified information. “OPSEC is built around not giving any indication to our enemies of what our intentions are,” Isham said. > > […] > > “The point is to minimize the publicizing of the ship’s movement as much as possible,” said Prather. Discussions about the ship’s movement should be limited to keeping family members informed for planning purposes, she added. > > Prather said similar caution should be taken when discussing Hawk’s mission. When Hawk is on a specific mission, it’s important that the minimum number of people know what that mission is. Crewmembers need to avoid mentioning the what, how and when of a mission to or near anyone who doesn’t need to know. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/18 "2002-12-30T22:17:40Z")
Ok, I can see the importance of not specifying a mission and I also wouldn’t want to specify with GPS precision the location of our forces. Still, you often here that Battle Group X is being deployed to the Indian Ocean. That narrows things down a bit but it’s still a helluva big place to go looking for them and anyone in the region knows that at most it might be a day or three before they are parked off shore. You still get the deterrent effect without spilling all your beans. That said isn’t it regular for CVBG’s to be deployed one in the Indian Ocean, one in the Pacific somewhere and one in the Med (I think)? Thus everyone knows that at least one fo these beasts can crawl most anywhere in the world in a matter of days? The biggest issue I could see is not specifying a return to port date as I would think that is when the carrier is at its weakest against terrorist attack. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/19 "2002-12-30T22:20:22Z")
> [@](#): > > ## \*Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor \* \*\*quote: > > ## Originally posted by Bosda Di’Chi of Tricor Wouldn’t you like to know…Sheik Duckster ? > > Typed while he tapped out a coded Morse message on the Shortwave set he keeps concealed in his hat. > > OK **Duckster** …what famous Duck wears a sailor suit? 😉 😃 \*\* Can’t be Donald because he doesn’t wear pants! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2002, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319/20 "2002-12-30T22:28:46Z")
Why is the USS Constellation being decommissioned? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/carrier-battle-groups-how-many-where-now/145319.md?page=2)