ARLINGTON, Va. — When the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz deployed last week for a major deployment in the Pacific Ocean, it was carrying a bit of history. On board as a unit of Carrier Air Wing 17 was Marine Fighter…
Senate Bill Would Require More DDGs in Rota
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Senate Armed Services Committee has marked up its version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) to require a plan to increase the number of Navy destroyers based in Rota, Spain. The mark-up, released June 11, “[r]equires the Chief…
Navy Special Projects Patrol Squadron Converting to P-8A Poseidon
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s only special projects patrol squadron has moved to its new base and soon will operate a new aircraft. Special Projects Patrol Squadron 2 (VPU-2), which flies modified P-3C Orion maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft, “will transition to P-8A this summer,”…
Navy Warfighting Organization Hitting Stride, Developing New Maritime Strategy
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s new organization for warfighting development (N7) is now fully organized for its role in developing strategy and warfighters, its director said, and has joined with the U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Coast Guard to…
Trump Orders Review of Polar Security Cutter Program
ARLINGTON, Va. — President Trump has ordered a review of the U.S. Coast Guard’s icebreaking polar security cutter (PSC) program, with a focus on exploring options for nuclear power, heavy armament and leasing stopgap icebreakers. In a June 9 memorandum from the White House to several federal departments, titled “Safeguarding…
Navy Seeing Success in Flexible Career Progression, Education, Admiral Says
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy is starting to see results from laws, policies and processes that make career progression more flexible and more accommodating to education, and the sea service is liking what it sees, the Navy’s deputy chief of personnel said. New provisions in law enacted…
Order on Bahrain Assignments, Families Won’t Affect Crews of Navy Ships
ARLINGTON, Va. — Defense Secretary Mark Esper has directed that U.S. military personnel assignments in some Middle East countries be unaccompanied, with families now in place ordered gradually withdrawn by 2022. The Pentagon policy, however, does not affect U.S. Navy crews forward-deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet in Bahrain, a Navy official said. In a June 2 announcement, Esper directed…
Navy’s Advanced Aerial Sensor Deployed on P-8As to Western Pacific
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy’s Advanced Aerial Sensor (AAS) has been deployed to the western Pacific, according to a release from the squadron that deployed the AAS on its P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol reconnaissance aircraft. Patrol Squadron 45 (VP-45), based out of Naval Air…
Ford Air Wing Ready to Arm Up for Training From Carrier
ARLINGTON, Va. — The carrier air wing assigned to the USS Gerald R. Ford is working up on its flight deck and conducting air operations with inert ordnance, the wing commander said. Speaking June 1 to reporters by teleconference while…
Navy Exploring Options for Multi-Engine Training Aircraft to Replace T-44
ARLINTON, Va. — Naval Air Systems Command is looking at options for an aircraft to replace the T-44C Pegasus multi-engine training aircraft, but the ultimate choice may not be “new.” The Navy is exploring options for adapting an existing aircraft…
