ARLINGTON, Va. — A major factor in the power of special operations forces (SOF) — stealth — is becoming increasingly threatened by advances in sensors and other capabilities of adversaries and needs to be protected by additional measures, SOF leaders…
VAW-120 Completes First Fleet Hawkeye-F/A-18 Aerial Refueling
NORFOLK, Va. — The “Greyhawks” of Airborne Command & Control Squadron (VAW) 120 successfully conducted on May 11 the first fleet aerial refueling dry-plug certification between an E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and an F/A-18F Super Hornet, according to a release from commander, Naval…
Yard Patrol 686 Craft Completes Service Life Extension
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Navy recently completed a service life extension program (SLEP) on Yard Patrol 686 and returned the modernized craft to the U.S. Naval Academy on May 14, according to the Navy’s Program Executive Office-Ships (PEO-Ships). The SLEP for the vessel began in August 2019 and was executed in partnership with the…
Hospital Ship Mercy Bids Farewell to Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES — The hospital ship USNS Mercy left Los Angeles on May 15 after supporting COVID-19 response operations in the greater Los Angeles area, the U.S. Northern Command said in a release. “We came to Los Angeles to be the relief valve for local hospitals in…
VP-40 Becomes Final Active VP Squadron to Accept P-8A
ARLINGTON, Va.—The U.S. Navy’s Patrol Squadron 40 (VP-40) completed its safe-for-flight evaluation for operating the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft on May 14, a milestone that completes the transition of the 12th and final active component VP squadron from the P-3C…
Navy Awards Contract to Lockheed for India’s MH-60R Helicopters
ARLINGTON, Va. — India will become the fourth nation to receive MH-60R Seahawk helicopters from Lockheed Martin. Under a May 14 U.S. Navy contract, India will receive 21 MH-60Rs for the ships in its navy. Naval Air Systems Command awarded…
SSGN USS Florida Returns From 800-Day Deployment
ARLINGTON, Va. — A U.S. Navy nuclear-powered Ohio-class guided-missile submarine has returned from a deployment lasting more than 800 days, or 30 months, the Navy said. “USS Florida (SSGN 728) returned to its homeport of Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay,…
Despite Isolation, Five Returning Roosevelt Sailors Test Positive for Virus
ARLINGTON, Va. — Five more Sailors from the sidelined aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt have tested positive for COVID-19, despite 14 days in isolation on Guam, according to the U.S. Navy. The five, who previously tested COVID positive and were…
Boeing Delivers 100th P-8A Poseidon Built for the U.S. Navy
SEATTLE — The U.S. Navy received its 100th P-8A aircraft from Boeing on May 14 as the global fleet, which also includes the Indian navy and the Australian and U.K. air forces, approaches 300,000 flight hours of hunting submarines and…
Navy Awards Boeing $3.1 Billion for Harpoon, SLAM-ER Missile Systems
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has awarded Boeing two contracts totaling $3.1 billion for Harpoon and Standoff Land-Attack Missile-Expanded Response (SLAM ER) cruise missile systems, weapon systems in support of foreign military sales (FMS) to seven U.S. allies and partners. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) awarded…
