************* ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has ordered four additional CMV-22B Osprey carrier-onboard delivery aircraft, according to a March 5 Defense Department contract announcement. The Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, was awarded a $482.3 million contract modification…
Marine Units Ordered to the Southern Border
***** Arlington, Va. — U.S. Marines from two units have been selected to augment the Department of Homeland Security in assisting with operations along the U.S. southwest border, according to the U.S. Northern Command. The Marines will “provide support with…
Navalist: Investment in Carrier Air Wings Needed to Keep Carriers Relevant
***** ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s aircraft carrier force is losing relevance because of a lack of investment in the aircraft that it carries, a naval analyst said. “We are a carrier-based force, so we have the 11 aircraft…
Berger: Lack of Amphibs Left AFRICOM with No Sea-Based Option for Sudan Evacuation
***** WASHINGTON — The presence of an amphibious ready group (ARG), with a Marine expeditionary unit (MEU)embarked, gives a regional combatant commander an option to respond to a crisis ashore. When the United States government decided to evacuate its embassy…
Vietnam War Commemoration to Host ‘Epic Event’
Arlington, VA – The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is set to host its biggest event to date to honor Vietnam veterans, said Major General Ed Chrystal and Commander Brian Wierzbicki, acting director and chief of public engagement,…
General Lists Marine Corps VTOL Development Priorities for Congress
***** WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps general in charge of aviation requirements detailed for Congress the service’s priorities for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) platforms during testimony regarding the 2024 defense budget hearings. “Our VTOL Family of Systems has three…
Admiral: Analysis of Alternatives for MH-60 Helo Replacement Completed
***** WASHINGTON — The U.S. Navy has completed analysis of its options for future rotorcraft to replace the service’s MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk helicopters and has forwarded the analysis to the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Rear Admiral Andrew…
Senator Grills SECNAV on Amphib Ship Plans
***** ARLINGTON, Va. — A senator used a congressional hearing to point out that the Navy would be violating the law by letting the number of amphibious warships drop below a Congressionally mandated level of 31 in fiscal year 2024. …
Marine Corps to Activate Second F-35C Squadron
***** ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Marine Corps is scheduled to activate its second F-35C Lightning II strike fighter squadron at the end of the week, Headquarters Marine Corps announced in a media announcement. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 311 (VMFA-311)…
NAVAIR Sees AI as Future of Air Wing
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — In a well-attended presentation by Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on April 3 at Sea-Air-Space 2023, RDML Stephen Tedford, program executive officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)) explained the need for trust in…
