WASHINGTON — The waterfront of the U.S. Naval Academy is more frequently being affected by rising sea levels, the academy’s superintendent said. Vice Adm. Sean Buck, testifying March 2 before the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense subcommittee, said that rising sea…
Second Navy Squadron Ready for F-35C Transition
ARLINGTON, Va. — The second Navy strike fighter squadron (VFA) slated for transition to the F-35C Lightning II strike fighter has made its last flight in the F/A-18E Super Hornet. The Warhawks of VFA-97, based at Naval Air Station Lemoore,…
Navy Orders Four Additional CMV-22B Osprey COD Aircraft
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has ordered four additional CMV-22B Osprey carrier-onboard delivery aircraft, according to a Feb. 26 Defense Department contract announcement. The Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, was awarded a $309.6 contract modification by the…
DoD Adds Two Mark VI Patrol Boats to Ukraine Aid Package
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Department of Defense has added two more modern patrol boats for Ukraine in a new security assistance package. “The Department of Defense announces a new $125 million package for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative that includes…
Admiral Praises Marine Corps’ Last Hornet Carrier Deployment
ARLINGTON, Va.—The last deployment of the F/A-18C Hornet on an aircraft carrier ended last week with the return of the “Death Rattlers” of Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 323 (VMFA-323) from a deployment with Carrier Air Wing 17 on board USS…
Navy Orders 15th Expeditionary Fast Transport from Austal
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded Austal USA a contract to build the 15th Spear-head-class expeditionary fast transport (EPF). The Naval Sea Systems Command awarded Austal a $235 million “undefinitized” contract action modification on Feb. 26, 2021, for the detailed…
Families Welcome Nimitz Carrier Strike Group Sailors after 331 Days of Separation
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Nimitz Carrier Strike Group (CSG) returned to San Diego Feb. 26 after nearly 11 months deployed in the U.S. 5th and 7th Fleet areas of operation (AOR), the Navy said. The strike group was the first…
Rebalanced Navy Can Push Back on Chinese Assertiveness, Analyst Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy can more effectively counter the growing Chinese capabilities by rebalancing its fleet to one designed more for competition than for intense combat, a naval analyst said. “China and Russia are obviously pursuing an approach…
Work Praises Navy League’s Maritime Policy Statement
ARLINGTON, Va. — Former Deputy Secretary of Defense and former Under Secretary of the Navy Robert O. Work praised the policy positions of the 2021-2022 Maritime Policy statement of the Navy League of the United States (NLUS) during a webinar. He also…
Navy Begins Retirement of Cyclone-Class Patrol Ships Without Replacement
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy held ceremonies this week to mark the decommissioning of three Cyclone-class coastal patrol ships this week, beginning the retirement of the class which has no direct replacement. The three decommissioning ceremonies held over three days…
