NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis (CVN 74) arrived at Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Newport News Shipbuilding division May 6 to start its refueling and complex overhaul (RCOH) after years of advance planning. 

“For the last three years, we have planned each step of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis’ RCOH, including procuring long lead-time materials, conducting shipboard inspections and readying our facilities for this extensive engineering and construction project,” said Todd West, Newport News’ vice president, in-service aircraft carrier programs. 

“We look forward to continuing our work with the ship’s crew and our 579 vendors across 36 states that provide material and services which brings stability of this industrial base and is critical to our ability to continue to build and maintain the Navy fleet our Navy and nation needs,” West added. 

Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class carrier to undergo this major mid-life availability, representing 35% of all maintenance and modernization completed during its 50-year service life. Over the next four years, Newport News will perform hull and freeboard blast and paint, repairs to its propellers, sea chests, shafts, and rudders and defueling and refueling of its power plant. 

This effort, which will continue through late 2025, will produce a recapitalized carrier capable of supporting current and future warfare doctrine while continuing to operate as the centerpiece of the Navy fleet and national defense for another 25 years. 

WASHINGTON – Last week, Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Mississippi, introduced the SHIPYARD Act of 2021, which would provide $21 billion to make upgrades to the U.S. Navy’s four public shipyards and $4 billion for private shipyards in the U.S. that support the Navy fleet, the senator’s spokesman said in a May 6 release. The legislation is now sponsored by eight senators, including Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, Susan Collins, R-Maine, Angus King, I-Maine, Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, and Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire. 

The senators’ legislation has been praised by Navy leaders, scholars, and private industry as a promising investment in the nation’s defense infrastructure. 

Here is what they are saying: 

Acting Secretary of the Navy Thomas Harker – “I believe the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan – right now, it’s a 20-year plan that’s upward of $20 billion – is something that we could look at accelerating if additional funds were available. … I know there’s been talk by different folks on the Hill about putting that into the infrastructure bill. It’s something that we would appreciate the opportunity to accelerate that program because it is very critical to our success moving forward.” – USNI News, April 29, 2021 

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday – “As the secretary said – this is a once-in-a-century opportunity to upgrade these facilities. And we have to. We’re putting new submarines in the water – Virginia-class Block IIIs and Block IVs – they’re larger submarines. We need to be able to get them in dry docks.” – USNI News, April 29, 2021 

Matthew Paxton, president, Shipbuilders Council of America – “As China and Russia are aggressively building their commercial and naval fleets to directly compete with the U.S., bolstering America’s naval defense capabilities is more vital now than ever to protect our national security. The SHIPYARD Act will provide much-needed investment into critical shipyard infrastructure and the U.S. industrial base that builds, maintains and repairs our Navy. We applaud Sens. Wicker, Kaine, Collins, King, Shaheen, Blumenthal, Cotton, and Hassan for working in a bipartisan manner to strengthen our domestic and national security through the SHIPYARD Act.”  

Mike Stevens, National Executive Director of the Navy League of the United States and 13th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy – “Investment in the Navy’s four public shipyards is essential to the sustainment of our nation’s nuclear aircraft carriers and submarines. Investment in new construction and repair shipyards is vital to expanding and maintaining a seafaring force capable of competing in a new era of great power rivalry. The SHIPYARD Act provides these necessary investments at a critical moment in American naval history.” 

Former Sen. Jim Talent and Lindsey R. Neas – “A bipartisan group of legislators has sponsored a bill that has the potential to address at one stroke a first-order priority for American national security: upgrading and expanding the nation’s shipyards. … The bill would fund in one year the Navy’s $21 billion recapitalization plan for shipyards, enabling the Navy to authorize shipyard improvements as capacity became available to make them and to do so with flexibility and therefore in the shortest possible time…The SHIPYARD Act is an outstanding first step on the path to revitalizing America’s sea power.” – National Review, May 3, 2021 

Brent D. Sadler and Maiya Clark, Heritage Foundation – “If we are going to make an investment in America, the four government-owned, government-operated Navy shipyards are great candidates for infrastructure spending. … One bipartisan proposal by Sens. Roger Wicker, Tim Kaine, Susan Collins, Angus King and Jeanne Shaheen (with companion legislation in the House by Reps. Rob Wittman and Mike Gallagher) would use the Defense Production Act to fund the entire SIOP with a one-time, $21 billion payment to the Navy. Such a move would provide the Navy access to consistent funding it needs to ensure it can bring its shipyards up to date. … Efforts to reverse the slow erosion of the nation’s shipyards are a welcome change to decades of divesture of naval infrastructure.” – The Heritage Foundation, May 4, 2021 

Dr. Jerry Hendrix, Captain (Ret.) U.S. Navy – “I am so pleased that leaders such as Sen. Wicker are looking at the shipbuilding industrial base as a critical component of our national security infrastructure in this time of great power competition.” 

TROY, Ohio — Collins Aerospace, a unit of Raytheon Technologies, has completed its first upgrade of the U.S. Navy’s fleet of C-130T and KC-130T aircraft with new wheels and brakes, the company said in a May 6 release. The long-lasting wheels and carbon brakes help C-130 operators reduce maintenance time and cost.

Collins’ C-130 brakes, which feature its proprietary DURACARB carbon heat sink material, can allow for 2,000 landings per overhaul, compared to 250 landings per overhaul experienced by operators of the C-130’s current system.

That lifespan is eight times longer, significantly reducing maintenance time and cost. In addition, the brakes are capable of handling higher energy than the aircraft’s existing equipment, which increases the safety margin when stopping heavily loaded C-130s.    

The boltless wheels feature an innovative lock-ring design and higher fatigue life than the current C-130 system, also reducing maintenance times and costs for operators. Additionally, the combined wheel and brake assembly contains 17 percent fewer parts than the C-130’s existing equipment, further simplifying maintenance and service.  

“At Collins Aerospace, we’re committed to keeping our warfighters safe while delivering the most efficient solutions to our customers to help keep their aircraft in the air. And that is exactly what our boltless wheels and carbon brakes will do for the U.S. Navy,” said Ajay Mahajan, vice president, Landing Systems for Collins Aerospace. 

TUNIS, Tunisia — The Sentinel-class fast response cutters USCGC Charles Moulthrope (WPC 1141) and USCGC Robert Goldman (WPC 1142) departed Tunis after a routine logistics visit and key leader engagements, April 25, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a May 5 release. 
 
This port visit marks the cutters’ second stop while conducting operations in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility en route to their new homeport of Manama, Bahrain. 
 
The Moulthrope and Goldman work in Tunis builds on previous military operations with Tunisian forces, such as the USCGC Bear (WMEC 901) deployment conducting military-to-military operations with the Tunisian navy and royal Moroccan navy in 1999, USCGC Dallas’ (WHEC 716) work with Tunisian navy counterparts to share best practices for responding to maritime issues and at-sea emergencies in 1995, as well as ongoing international training efforts. 
 
This visit is a continuation of commitment to Tunisian partners, further enhancing cooperation between U.S. and Tunisian forces in support of shared security goals. In January 2021, Military Sealift Command Spearhead-class Expeditionary Fast Transport USNS Trenton (T EPF 5) and Tunisian navy partners conducted joint maritime operations to enhance maritime security, critical lifesaving capabilities, and Tunisia’s ability to protect its maritime borders. 
 
“The exercises showcased both the Tunisian naval forces and U.S. Coast Guard’s ability to operate as multi-mission partners through a variety of exercises ranging from defense operations to search and rescue and illegal fisheries enforcement — all of which highlighted our services’ similarities in both missions and responsibilities,” said Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Blase, commanding officer, Robert Goldman. 
 
During their stop in Tunis, Moulthrope and Goldman engaged with navy leadership, local dignitaries and conducted military-to-military exercises with the Tunisian navy for interoperability and familiarization. 
 
“It was an honor to help lead the first U.S. Coast Guard visit to Tunisia in over 25 years and strengthen our partnership with the Tunisian naval force. The engagements and maritime exercises highlighted service capabilities, promoted interoperability between both nations, and enhanced stability throughout the Mediterranean Sea,” said Lt. Cmdr. Steven Hulse, commanding officer of Charles Moulthrope. 
 
Charles Moulthrope and Robert Goldman are the first two of six Sentinel-class ships headed to U.S. Patrol Forces Southwest Asia. Established in 2002 to support Operation Iraqi Freedom, PATFORSWA played a critical role in maritime security and maritime infrastructure protection operations. It is the U.S. Coast Guard’s largest unit outside of the United States. 
 

The Surface Navy Association’s (SNA) “Old Salt” designation, honoring the active duty U. S. Navy officer with the earliest date of qualification as a Surface Warfare Officer, has passed to Adm. Christopher Grady. Grady is currently assigned as the Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Grady relieved Adm. Philip Davidson, who has retired, and is now the 21st individual to receive this honor.

Initiated in 1988, the Old Salt award is accompanied by a bronze statue depicting a naval officer on the pitching deck of a ship. The statue is cast from metal salvaged from historic U.S. naval ships, most notably the battleship USS Maine, which exploded and sank in Havana Harbor in 1898, precipitating the Spanish-American War.

Old Salts have their names engraved on brass plates attached to the base of the Old Salt statue. The statue is then held in the custody of the current Old Salt during the recipient’s active-duty tenure. The Old Salt trophy may be kept in possession of the recipient or displayed by the command to which the Old Salt is assigned.

The issuance of the Old Salt Award is a tribute to the Navy’s customs and traditions which call the respected, experienced, knowledgeable, and senior surface warfare officer with the designation as Old Salt.

 SNA also recognizes the “Old Tar” award to honor the Surface Warfare Enlisted Specialist with the earliest date of receiving the coveted warfare qualification. That designation recently went to Fleet Master Chief Bill Smalts.

LONDON — U.K. F-35B fighter jets operating from HMS Queen Elizabeth will join Operation Shader in the fight against Daesh, the U.K Ministry of Defense said in a May 4 release. 

F-35B Lightning II jets will be the cutting edge of the Carrier Strike Group’s (CSG21) formidable power in the air. These are next-generation, multi-role combat aircraft equipped with advanced sensors, mission systems and stealth technology, enabling them to carry out intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. 

This will be the first time U.K. fighter aircraft are embarked on an operational aircraft carrier deployment since 2010 and will be the largest number of F-35Bs ever to sail the seas. The embarked aircraft also include 10 F-35Bs of a U.S. Marine Corps squadron, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 211.  

The renowned 617 Squadron RAF (The Dambusters) will operate the jets to provide tangible and impactful support to counter-Daesh operations in Iraq and Syria. Daesh is another name for the Islamic State, or ISIS.

“The F-35B Lightning jets will pack a potent punch against Daesh and help prevent them from regaining a foothold in Iraq,” said James Heappey MP, minister for the Armed Forces. “This is a prime example of the U.K. armed forces stepping forward with our allies to confront persistent threats around the world. It is global Britain in action.” 

CSG21, led by HMS Queen Elizabeth, is the largest concentration of maritime and air power to leave the U.K. in a generation and will set sail next month on its first operational deployment. This is a joint Royal Air Force and Royal Navy deployment which is committed to confronting persistent threats around the world and make a meaningful contribution to global security. 

The F-35B Lightning jets, which will operate from HMS Queen Elizabeth throughout the deployment, will make a significant contribution in degrading Daesh. 

“This deployment represents the embodiment of the UK’s Joint Expeditionary Capability and utilizing the F-35Bs in the fight against Daesh will further demonstrate our commitment to securing their global defeat,” said Chief of Joint Operations Vice Adm. Sir Ben Key. 
 
March 2021 saw the second anniversary of Daesh’s final and total loss of territory in Syria. However, there remain significant numbers of Daesh terrorists in Iraq and Syria. The United Kingdom remains committed to defeating Daesh and enhancing security in the region, alongside the Iraqi Security Forces and our NATO allies. Operation Shader is the United Kingdom’s contribution to the Global Coalition against Daesh. 

SAN DIEGO — General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has opened an office in Patuxent River, Maryland, to serve as a customer engagement center supporting maritime and naval aviation programs and business growth initiatives in the region, the company announced May 3.  

James Donnelly, GA-EMS’ director of Maritime Program Operations, will be responsible for leading office operations and providing program support for GA-EMS’ Aircraft Launch and Recovery Systems delivered to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for Ford-class aircraft carriers. Donnelly will also serve as a point of interface for other maritime programs in GA-EMS’ growing portfolio of business activities on the Eastern Seaboard, including nuclear submarine construction support and unmanned undersea vehicle programs.  

“We are excited to join the Pax River community, and have the convenience of proximity to our NAVAIR customer and an industry base that provides world-class technologies in support of the Navy,” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. “For nearly two decades, we’ve worked from our San Diego headquarters, Tupelo, Mississippi, center of excellence for manufacturing, and our Lakehurst, New Jersey, operations site to support NAVAIR’s procurement and delivery of our Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System and Advanced Arresting Gear system for all Ford–class carriers. Now, our Pax River office literally opens the door to our customers to help improve communication and collaboration at the local level. We look forward to strengthening existing partnerships and forging new relationships within the community to continue delivering technology innovations supporting the warfighter.” 

Naval Air Station Patuxent River is the home of several tenant commands, including the Fleet Readiness Center Mid-Atlantic, the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School, Naval Test Wing Atlantic, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division and NAVAIR headquarters. NAVAIR is the primary acquisition command for naval aviation.   

RESTON, Va. — Noblis has acquired McKean Defense and its affiliates, Mikros Systems and Cabrillo Technologies, for an undisclosed amount, Noblis announced in a May 3 release. Recognized as a market leader in U.S. Navy surface ship readiness, modernization, sustainment and integration, McKean Defense is an employee-owned life-cycle management, engineering, enterprise transformation and program management business that supports Warfighters and helps clients reach new levels of mission support and transformation. 

With this step, McKean Defense is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Noblis. The name of the new subsidiary will be the subject of a future announcement. Glenn Hickok, U.S. Navy veteran, seasoned industry executive and current vice president of Noblis’ Defense Mission Area, has been named president of the subsidiary and will also retain his current role. Joseph Carlini, McKean’s CEO, has stepped down from his role and will serve as a strategic advisor through the integration process. The subsidiary will be governed by Amr ElSawy, Noblis president and CEO, and the company’s board of trustees. 

“As mission-driven companies, Noblis and McKean Defense have a common purpose to enrich lives and make our nation safer with a shared passion for excellence and innovation,” said ElSawy. “We are excited to welcome McKean employees to the Noblis family and look forward to combining forces to bring new and complementary solutions to address our clients’ growing needs.” 

“McKean is an employee-owned company,” said Carlini. “As such, it was important for us to join an organization with a strong, ethical foundation, similar values and a singular focus on helping to advance national security priorities. We found that in Noblis, and I’m confident that together, our teams and service to our clients will thrive.” 

“I’m already impressed by the McKean team. They have deep client relationships and extensive mission knowledge — particularly in the naval operations arena,” said Hickok. “Together, our team can remain agile while adding scale, capabilities and contract vehicles to expand our impacts in the Defense Mission Area and lean further forward in addressing our clients’ changing needs.” 

Wolf Den Associates and Baird served as exclusive financial advisors for Noblis and McKean respectively on this transaction. 

BLACK SEA — The Legend-class national security cutter USCGC Hamilton (WMSL 753) crew conducted a series of operational exercises with the Georgian coast guard, May 2 to 3, 2021, in the Black Sea, the Coast Guard Atlantic Area said in a release. 

The Hamilton crew conducted search and rescue patterns, simulated survivor rescue training, helicopter hoisting evolutions, approaches for towing, and ship communications with the crews of Georgian coast guard vessels Dioskuria (P 25) and Ochamchire (P 23). These maneuvers and operations enhanced the proficiency in specific mission areas familiar to both coast guards. 
 
“The U.S. Coast Guard, along with the U.S. Navy, work closely with the Georgian coast guard on the maritime component of our robust security and defense partnership,” said Kelly Degnan, U.S. ambassador to Georgia. “We welcome Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton to train with their counterparts in the Georgian coast guard, engage with community leaders, and above all, reaffirm the United States’ commitment to Georgia’s territorial integrity.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has been a consistent partner with European nations, strengthening and enforcing robust maritime governance. These exercises are designed to strengthen partnerships through interoperable capabilities and combined operations. 
 
We continue our substantial military training cooperation, ship visits, and joint military exercises that aim to help Georgia improve its self-defense capabilities and interoperability with allied and partner forces. 
 
“Hamilton was honored to conduct combined at-sea operations with the Georgian coast guard,” said Capt. Timothy Cronin, commanding officer of the Hamilton. “The U.S. Coast Guard values this partnership as we look to protect our shared interests by ensuring safe and lawful activity in the Black Sea.” 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard has a deep partnership with Georgia and the Georgian coast guard, dating back to its initial establishment in the late 1990s. Through the interagency partnership with the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of State, the U.S. Coast Guard guided and developed the Georgian coast guard into a fully operational and successful maritime force. 
 
A resilient network of alliances and partnerships is the fabric of the free and open order. We build trust and interoperability with our allies and partners through combined exercises, operations, theater security cooperation, global health engagement, foreign internal defense, and capacity-building efforts. 
 
Hamilton is the first U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea since 2008. The last U.S. Coast Guard cutter to visit the Black Sea, USCGC Dallas (WHEC 716), sailed to the Black Sea twice, in 2008 and 1995. 
 
Hamilton is the fourth national security cutter and is the fifth cutter named for the father of the U.S. Coast Guard — Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury and advocate for the creation of the U.S. Revenue Cutter Service. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard remains operational during COVID-19, following all COVID-19 safety precautions and regulations. 
 
The U.S. Coast Guard is conducting a routine deployment in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, working alongside allies, building maritime domain awareness, and sharing best practices with partner nation navies and coast guards. 

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — BAE Systems has been awarded a $76 million contract modification to produce additional Vertical Launch System (VLS) canisters for the U.S. Navy, the company said in a May 4 release. The canisters play a critical role for storing, transporting, and firing a range of offensive and defensive missiles from the deck of the Navy’s guided-missile cruisers and destroyers.  

“The VLS is a highly survivable and versatile system and our canisters play a key role in equipping the Navy with this world-class capability,” said Brent Butcher, vice president of the Weapon Systems product line at BAE Systems. “BAE Systems has partnered with the Navy and its allies for more than 30 years to provide them with the most flexible and reliable weapon systems to execute a variety of missions effectively, and we look forward to continuing that commitment with this VLS technology.”  

Under the contract now totaling $306 million, BAE Systems will produce canisters for the Mk 13, Mk 14, Mk 25, Mk 29 and other hardware for the Navy. The contract will also support purchases from the governments of Australia, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, South Korea, Spain, and Turkey under a Foreign Military Sales program.  

VLS canisters serve in a multifaceted role as containers for missile shipping and storage, as well as launch tubes when loaded into the VLS. They also provide identification and firing support to multiple missile types, including the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile, Standard Missile-2, Standard Missile-3, Standard Missile-6, the Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile and the vertical launch anti-submarine rocket known as ASROC.    

Work on the contract modification will be performed at the BAE Systems production facility in Aberdeen, South Dakota, through 2023, with engineering and program support in Minneapolis. The new modification will allow BAE Systems to add 25 jobs to its Aberdeen facility.