ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy proposes to shift two P-8A Poseidon patrol (VP) squadrons from the active component to the reserve component in 2026, budget documents show. The Navy’s 2023 budget highlights book published this month shows a proposal…
Navy to Adjust F/A-18 Service Life Modernization as Needed to Address Strike Fighter Shortfall
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy is planning to use a “rheostat” approach to adjust the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet strike fighter Service Life Modernization (SLM) program to mitigate the strike fighter shortfall in the fleet, a senior service official said. The…
Navy Proposes Divestment of Special Ops Helicopter Squadron
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is proposing to retire its only expeditionary helicopter squadron dedicated to support of special operations forces with the service’s 2023 budget request. Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 (HSC-85), a reserve squadron based at Naval…
Marine Corps’ New VH-92 Presidential Helicopter Achieves Initial Operational Capability
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps’ VH-92A presidential support helicopter has achieved initial operational capability, according to the Department of the Navy. The VH-92A, built by Lockheed Martin, has been going through testing and crew training and achieved IOC on…
Marine Corps Deactivates Two Helo Squadrons, One Temporarily
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Marine Corps has deactivated two helicopter squadrons in its march toward Force Design 2030, but one of the squadrons will be reactivated later this year, the service said. Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463 (HMH-463) —…
Marine Corps’ King Stallion Ready to Run
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps’ new CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter achieved initial operational capability on April 22, Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. Mark Wise said in an April 25 release. The first fleet CH-53K squadron, HMH-461, now…
Navy Proposes Decommissioning 6th Fleet’s Command Ship in 2026
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has proposed in its 2023 budget to decommission the amphibious command ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) during fiscal 2026. The Mount Whitney has served as the flagship of the U.S. 6th Fleet since…
Marine Corps to Use Leased Ships to Test Light Amphibious Warfare Ship Concept
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps plans to lease two commercial ships over the next two years to experiment with the light amphibious warfare ship concept, also now being classed as the landing ship-medium. Brig. Gen. Mark Clingan, assistant deputy…
Marine Corps May Keep More Tube Artillery, Osprey Squadrons in Force Design 2030
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Marine Corps continues to tweak its Force Design 2030, adjusting the number of tube artillery batteries, the number of MV-22B squadrons, the operation of a Marine Littoral Regiment and the size of an infantry battalion. Under…
Navy Proposes to Cut Five EA-18G Growler Electronic Attack Squadrons
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is proposing to deactivate five electronic attack squadrons, or VAQs, that operate the Boeing EA-18G Growler electronic attack jet, roughly a third of the Defense Department’s tactical jet electronic attack force. As laid out…
