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Jay Stefany to Lead Navy’s New Maritime Industrial Base Program Office The Navy is standing up a new maritime industrial base program office and has tapped one of its career civil servants to take the helm. Jay Stefany, who previously performed the duties of the assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition (RDA), will lead the office as a direct reporting program manager, according to a Friday Navy news release. “Building on the progress and achievements of the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) and Surface Combatant Industrial Base (SCIB) programs, DPRM-MIB creates a cohesive organization focused on the health of the maritime industrial base centered on construction and sustainment,”
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Vernazza Takes Over Naval Information Forces, Aeschbach Retires from Naval Service Vice Adm. Mike Vernazza relieved Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach as the commander of Naval Information Forces on Friday, the Navy announced. The change of command ceremony in Suffolk, Va., marks the end of Aeschbach’s naval career, as she retired after 34 years in the sea service, the last of which was spent as NAVIFOR’s commander. She assumed the role in May 2021. “We’ve accomplished quite a bit in terms of the form and function of the type command, and I’m reflecting on the word streamlining, but I do think that we are organized in a way now in terms of
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Report to Congress on Navy Medium Landing Ship The following is the Navy Medium Landing Ship (LSM) (Previously Light Amphibious Warship [LAW]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress on July 23, 2024. From the report Overview As discussed above, the LSM program is to include 18 to 35 ships. LSMs would be much smaller and individually much less expensive to procure and operate than the Navy’s current amphibious ships. Procurement Schedule The Navy wants to procure the first LSM in FY2025, the second in FY2026, the third and fourth in FY2027, the fifth and sixth LSMs in FY2028, the seventh and eighth in FY2029, and at least 10
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USS Ronald Reagan, USS George Washington Begin Carrier Hull Swap in San Diego Aircraft carriers USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) and USS George Washington (CVN-73) have started the hull swap that will formally mark the changeover of the Navy’s next forward-deployed aircraft carrier in Japan. On Monday, Reagan joined GW at Naval Air Station North Island, Calif., where the crews of both ships will work on the transition for GW to assume the role as the Navy’s only forward-deployed carrier. Reagan, which has been the forward-deployed carrier based in Yokosuka, Japan, since 2015, will now head to Bremerton, Wash. “As part of the transition, the embarked Air Wing and Staffs, which include Carrier Air
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NORAD Jets Intercept Joint Russian, Chinese Bomber Flight Near Alaska Russia and China conducted a joint bomber flight that entered Alaska’s Air Defense Identification Zone on Wednesday, marking the first time the two countries have flown near the United States. The North American Aerospace Defense Command said it monitored two Chinese H-6 bombers and two Russian TU-95 strategic bombers flying in Alaska’s ADIZ on Wednesday, according to a news release. China and Russia have previously conducted bomber flights near Japan. The ADIZ is a larger area than air space that is claimed by an individual state and is considered international air space. Canadian and U.S. fighters intercepted the Chinese and
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Biden Taps SOUTHCOM Deputy to Lead Combatant Command President Joe Biden nominated the deputy of U.S. Southern Command to lead the combatant command, the Pentagon announced Wednesday. Vice Adm. Alvin Holsey is up for a fourth star and to serve as the commander of Southern Command, according to a Defense Department announcement. Holsey has been the military deputy commander of SOUTHCOM since February 2023. If confirmed by the Senate, Holsey would replace Army Gen. Laura Richardson, who has led the combatant command since October of 2021. A career aviator, Holsey previously served as the deputy chief of naval personnel, according to his service biography. He also previously led
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Report to Congress on SSN(X) Next-Generation Attack Submarine The following is the July 23, 2023, Congressional Research In Focus report, Navy Next-Generation Attack Submarine (SSN[X]) Program: Background and Issues for Congress. From the report Program Designation In the designation SSN(X), the “X” means that the exact design of the boat has not yet been determined. Procurement Schedule The Navy’s FY2024 budget submission envisaged procuring the first SSN(X) in FY2035. The Navy’s FY2025 budget submission defers the envisaged procurement of the first SSN(X) from FY2035 to FY2040. The Navy’s FY2025 30-year (FY2035-FY2054) shipbuilding plan states: “The delay of SSN(X) construction start from the mid-2030s to the early 2040s presents
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Navy Settles Lawsuit With Sailors Who Denied COVID-19 Vaccine The Navy and the Department of Defense have settled a lawsuit over the former COVID-19 vaccine mandate with 36 members of the Special Warfare community, the law firm representing the plaintiffs announced Wednesday. A settlement hearing between lawyers for the Special Warfare community members and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro took place Wednesday. Details were not immediately available on PACER, the online site for federal court documents. The lawsuit was initially filed on behalf of the 36 Special Warfare community members but was turned into a class suit, according to a news
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Chaplain Corps Stands Down to Train on New Military Justice Reforms Navy chaplains stood down in early July to receive training on new sexual assault prevention and response reforms, according to a Navy administration message. According to a Navy memo, released on July 2, all chaplains went through the stand down, which took place between July 8 and 11, depending on chaplains’ stations. The training done during the stand down focused on reforms to military justice, including those that affected reporting requirements and victims’ rights, a Navy spokesperson told USNI News in an email. “Navy Chaplains provide a vital service to SAPR Program Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and SAPR Victim
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Report to Congress on Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program The following is the July 23, 2024, Congressional Research Service In Focus report, Navy TAGOS-25 Ocean Surveillance Shipbuilding Program: Background and Issues for Congress. From the report Introduction The Navy in FY2022 procured the first of a planned class of seven new TAGOS-25 class ocean surveillance ships. Under the Navy’s FY2025 budget submission, the Navy is proposing to defer procurement of the second TAGOS-25 class ship from FY2025 to FY2026. The Navy’s proposed FY2025 shipbuilding budget requests no FY2025 procurement funding for the TAGOS-25 program. Meaning of TAGOS Designation In the designation TAGOS (also written as T-AGOS), the T means
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Pentagon Arctic Strategy Aims to Enhance U.S. Presence, Exercise More Often The High North remains the “shortest and least defended threat sector” to the U.S., the deputy commander of U.S. Northern Command said Tuesday. It’s important for allies and the joint force operating in the region to monitor domain awareness, from the sea to space, and to respond if necessary, Army Lt. Gen. Thomas Carden said the day after the Pentagon released its updated Arctic strategy. The strategy is built on three pillars: enhance the U.S. and allied presence already in the Arctic; engage with other federal agencies, indigenous tribes, the state of Alaska and its six other NATO allies on
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U.S., Partners Experiment with New Weapon Systems During RIMPAC 2024 SINKEX The U.S. military is experimenting with potential future weapon systems at the ongoing Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise in Hawaii, using a weapon known as QUICKSINK during the biennial drill’s sinking exercise. U.S. forces used QUICKSINK – born out of collaboration between the Air Force Research Laboratory and the U.S. Navy – in the Friday sinking exercise that featured former amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1) as the target, according to a Monday U.S. 3rd Fleet news release. “[I]n a partnership with the U.S. Navy, a U.S. Air Force B-2 Spirit stealth bomber proved a low-cost, air-delivered method for defeating surface vessels
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Tom Mancinelli To Perform Duties of Under Secretary of the Navy Following Erik Raven’s Departure Tom Mancinelli, who served in the secretary of defense’s office, will perform the duties of the under secretary of the Navy after Erik Raven’s departure, a Navy official told USNI News. Mancinelli served as the principal deputy for legislative affairs in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, said Capt. Courtney Hillson, spokesperson for the under secretary. Raven announced his intention to step down on July 3, USNI News previously reported. Raven is expected to leave the position in August. Mancinelli follows Raven in bringing congressional experience to the role of under secretary, the second highest civilian job in the
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Report to Congress on Virginia-class Submarine Program, AUKUS The following is the July 16, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Navy Virginia-Class Submarine Program and AUKUS Submarine (Pillar 1) Project: Background and Issues for Congress. From the report Virginia-class submarine program. The Navy has been procuring Virginia (SSN-774) class nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) since FY1998, and a total of 40 have been procured through FY2024. From FY2011 through FY2024, they have been procured at a rate of two per year. When procured at that rate, they have an estimated procurement cost of about $4.5 billion each. Although they have been procured at a rate of two boats per year,
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Royal Australian Navy Destroyer Fires Naval Strike Missile on Former U.S. Amphib During RIMPAC 2024 This story has been updated to clarify that HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) demonstrated a Naval Strike Missile firing during the SINKEX. Royal Australian Navy destroyer HMAS Sydney (DDG-42) successfully fired a Naval Strike Missile at the former amphibious assault ship USS Tarawa (LHA-1) in the waters off Hawaii during the biennial Rim of the Pacific 2024 exercise. The Australian Department of Defense described the sinking exercise as a “major milestone” for the country’s National Defense Strategy in a news release issued on Monday alongside a video of the live fire event. “The National Defence Strategy outlined a strategy of denial as the
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SECNAV Del Toro Names EPF-16 After Michigan Capital City Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro named a future Expeditionary Fast Transport ship after the Michigan capital, the Navy announced Monday. EPF-16 will be named USNS Lansing. It’s the second ship to bear the name Lansing, although the first, USS Lansing (DE-388), was named after Aviation Machinist Mate First Class William Henry Lansing, according to the Navy news release. Naming the ship after a U.S. city follows the trend of naming EPFs after U.S. locations. EPF-15 was named for Point Loma, Calif. There have been 32 naval ships named after some aspect of Michigan, Del Toro said during his remarks on
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USNI News Fleet and Marine Tracker: July 22, 2024 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 22, 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 297 (USS 237, USNS 60) 103 (USS 71, USNS 32) 85 (54 Deployed, 31 Local) In Okinawa The amphibious warship USS America (LHA-4) is in port in Okinawa, Japan, onloading elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit. America will change homeports later this
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Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower Returns Home Following Seven-month Fight With Houthi Drones, Missiles ABOARD AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER – “Home Sweet Home” by Motley Crue blasted through the ship’s speakers as Commanding Officer Capt. Christopher “Chowdah” Hill made his morning announcement. Up on the flight deck, Lee Greenwald’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” and Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child of Mine” played while sailors performed their best air guitar and the 95,000-ton carrier slowly carried 4,000 sailors home up the James River. For the last nine months, the ship’s company of USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) has been almost entirely at sea. Now, the sailors could see the pier where their families
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China’s Shandong Carrier Strike Group Wraps Up 10-Day Philippine Sea Deployment China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group sailed back into the South China Sea on Thursday, ending a ten-day deployment to the Philippine Sea that began on July 9, Japan’s Joint Staff Office reported. On Friday, the JSO issued a news release that reported on the Shandong CSG’s activities and location on Wednesday and Thursday. The JSO had earlier issued a release covering the CSG up to Monday, but Friday’s release made no mention of why there was no observation or report for Tuesday. CNS Shandong’s (17) embarked fighter aircraft conducted a total of 20 sorties on Wednesday
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Army Unit Deploys Hypersonic Weapon in Navy-led Exercise An Indo-Pacific-assigned U.S. Army unit designed to counter anti-access, area denial networks deployed its hypersonic missiles for the first time last month during a Navy-hosted exercise. Exercise Resolute Hunter is the U.S. Department of Defense’s only exercise dedicated to battle management, command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Since the drill’s inception in 2019, Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center has used it to train service members and participants from the Five Eyes nations to think about decision making and target selection in the kill chain. This year’s iteration included the Army’s 1st Multi-Domain Task Force. The Bravo Battery of the
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Report to Congress on U.S. Navy Ship Names The following is the July 9, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Navy Ship Names: Background for Congress. From the report Summary Names for Navy ships traditionally have been chosen and announced by the Secretary of the Navy, under the direction of the President and in accordance with rules prescribed by Congress. Rules for giving certain types of names to certain types of Navy ships have evolved over time. There have been exceptions to the Navy’s ship-naming rules, particularly for the purpose of naming a ship for a person when the rule for that type of ship would have called for
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Chinese PLAN and Russian Navy Finish South China Sea Exercise China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy and the Russian Navy wrapped up a joint exercise in the South China Sea and a separate joint naval patrol this week. The two navies finished what the PLAN calls Joint Sea 2024, which is known as Maritime Interaction 2024 to the Russians. The drills began on Monday in the South China Sea, near the southern China city of Zhanjiang. The city is also the headquarters of the PLAN South Sea Fleet, from where the PLAN and Russian ships taking part in the exercise departed. The drills included Russian Navy corvettes RFS Gromkiy (335) and
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Navy Exonerates 256 Black Defendants for Actions Following 1944 Port Chicago Explosion Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced the full exoneration of the remaining 256 Black defendants of the 1944 Port Chicago general and summary courts-martial that followed a disastrous explosion at the California ammunition-handling facility. Del Toro made the announcement Wednesday on the 80th anniversary of the disaster that claimed 320 lives, injured 400 others, destroyed a train and two cargo ships – SS Quinault Victory and SS E.A. Bryan – and caused damage to the nearby town of Port Chicago. After the latest review of the case and related materials, the General Counsel of the Navy concluded that there were
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Report to Congress on Gerald R. Ford Aircraft Carrier Program The following is the July 12, 2024, Congressional Research Service report, Navy Ford (CVN-78) Class Aircraft Carrier Program: Background and Issues for Congress. From the report The aircraft carriers CVN-78, CVN-79, CVN-80, CVN-81, and CVN-82 are the first five ships in the Navy’s new Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers (CVNs). The Navy’s proposed FY2025 budget requests $2,143.9 million (i.e., about $2.1 billion) in procurement funding for Ford-class ships, including $236.0 million for CVN-79, $1,186.9 million for CVN-80, and $721.0 million for CVN-81. The Navy’s FY2025 budget submission proposes deferring the procurement of the fifth ship in
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USS Boxer Back on Deployment After Repairs Amphibious warship USS Boxer (LHD-4) is underway and has resumed its deployment after an emergency rudder repair, USNI News has learned. Boxer left San Diego, Calif., on Tuesday, according to ship spotters. Boxer was there after a brief port visit to fuel and crane off an MV-22B that was damaged in a deck-handling mishap, a Navy spokesperson told USNI News. “Following a successful operational test of its rudders, the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD-4) and embarked elements of the 15 Marine Expeditionary Unit departed San Diego, conducting pre-deployment training and operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet,” reads a July 14
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Pentagon Announces End to Gaza Pier Operation The temporary U.S. military pier built to ferry aid to civilians in Gaza will shut down and the international community will now deliver aid to Israel’s Ashdod port, officials announced Wednesday. “Our assessment is that the temporary pier has achieved its intended effect: to surge a very high volume of aid into Gaza and ensure that aid reaches the civilians in Gaza in a quick manner,” Vice Adm. Brad Cooper, the deputy commander of U.S. Central Command, told reporters Wednesday. The aid delivered to Ashdod, an Israeli port north of Gaza, will need to move into Gaza through land crossings.
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Gen. C.Q. Brown Visits Philippines, Tours EDCA Site Ahead of New Projects Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. C.Q. Brown touched down in the Philippines on Tuesday for the first stop of his second trip to the Indo-Pacific to discuss security cooperation with Washington’s oldest treaty ally in the region. Meetings with Philippine Chief of Staff Gen. Romeo Brawner, Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro and National Security Advisor Eduardo M. Año included talks facing regional security challenges and on strengthening the alliance through bilateral defense cooperation. These discussions also included “assessments of the regional security environment, including recent events in the vicinity of Second Thomas Shoal,” according to a
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GAO Report on U.S. Army Modernization The following is the July 15, 2024, Government Accountability Office report, Army Modernization: Actions Needed to Support Fielding New Equipment. From the report What GAO Found The Army’s new approach to generate ready forces, the Regionally Aligned Readiness and Modernization Model (ReARMM), is key to the Army realizing its modernization investments. These investments have totaled $46.5 billion since fiscal year 2021. The Army has adopted new acquisition approaches to rapidly develop multiple types of modernized equipment, which it has categorized into six modernization priorities. Using ReARMM, the Army had fielded six new priority equipment efforts as of November 2023, with
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China’s Aircraft Carrier Shandong Launches 240 Sorties in Philippine Sea China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy Shandong Carrier Strike Group conducted 240 fighter aircraft launches and recoveries and 140 helicopter take-offs and landings over the course of a week operating in the Philippine Sea, according to a Tuesday news release from Japan’s Joint Staff Office (JSO). The CSG is still deployed in the area. On Tuesday, the JSO issued a release covering the daily location and composition of the Shandong CSG from July 9 to Monday. Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyers JS Akebono (DD-108) and JS Kirishima (DDG-174), and destroyer escort JS Jintsu (DE-230) shadowed the PLAN CSG, according to the
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Canada Announces Plan to Buy 12 Under Ice Submarines With the high-profile backdrop of the NATO summit in Washington, D.C., Canada announced it will acquire 12 conventionally-powered submarines for the Royal Canadian Navy. The announcement does not come as a surprise, as the government formally established the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project office in 2022 with the remit to investigate options for a follow-on submarine capability to replace the existing Victoria-class diesel-electric submarines, of which Canada operates four. These boats are former Upholder-class submarines of the U.K. Royal Navy. Canada purchased them in 1998, with the first arriving in 2000. The Victoria-class boats have experienced significant support and sustainability issues
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