It’s no secret that the Department of Defense has faced many challenges in the recruiting environment over the past couple of years. When it comes down to it, these challenges cannot be taken on by the recruiters of their respective branches alone. Recruiting commands rely on word-of-mouth and engagements from outside organizations to help facilitate information between the military branches and prospective recruits. One of the primary organizations that helps assist the sea-services with meeting their recruiting mission is the Navy League.

The Navy League Council of Minn. has been a staunch supporter of the local area Naval and Coast Guard commands that include: NTAG Northern Plains, Naval Reserve Center, Minneapolis, University of Minnesota ROTC, Maritime Safety Unit Duluth, Coast Guard Cutter Spar, three Sea Cadet Units, and three Junior ROTC units.  The Council has engaged in many events including command picnics, an annual Navy Ball, air shows, Navy Weeks, award ceremonies at adopted units, community parades, networking events, with the primary focus to provide education and awareness to the surrounding communities about the importance of the Navy on a world-wide and national security scale.

“The Minnesota Navy League Council is a tremendous asset for us at NTAG Northern Plains,” said Cmdr. Jonny “DOZER” Kane, executive officer of NTAG Northern Plains. “They are able to amplify our reach into the community, and not just from a recruiting standpoint, but as an advocate of the U.S. Navy and their impact on a global scale.”

On the average day, recruiters in the NTAG Northern Plains area of responsibility are actively seeking to spread Navy awareness and seek new accessions across seven states that include Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, and parts of Wisconsin and Illinois. From the beginning of this fiscal year, they have enlisted 360 Future Sailors, processed 90 officer candidate submissions with 41 selected, and had 52 NROTC applications submitted with 32 selected, which is 12% higher than the national average. (Statistics provided by NTAG Northern Plains.)

“The Minnesota Navy League engages with state and local representatives and centers of influence to promote Navy programs and opportunities,” said Joe Fraser, President of the Minnesota Navy League Council. “One of the programs that we are particularly fond of promoting is the scholarship opportunities available through the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps.”

One of the major scholarships available through the NROTC program is the Immediate Scholarship Reservation (ISR) scholarship, which is valued at approximately $200,000.

NTAG Northern Plains was approved to award four scholarships this year. Raina Elisabeth Roemhildt, graduate of St. Peter High School, will attend University of Washington this fall. She will pursue a major in mechanical engineering and wants to be a surface warfare officer like her retired father. Emmanuel Tallaferno Edwards, graduate of Eden Prairie High School, will attend Harvard University in the fall. He plans to major in economics and wants to enter the surface warfare officer community. Two additional students were awarded ISR scholarships, one from Valley High School (West Des Moines, Iowa) to attended University of Michigan and one from Saint Thomas Academy to attend University of Minnesota, but declined the scholarship offers to attend the U.S. Naval Academy and West Point respectively.

“The NROTC Scholarship Program provides an avenue for students to attend college full time, gain invaluable leadership experience and ultimately pave the way for the future of the U.S. Navy,” said Chief Navy Counselor Lenora Sprague, NROTC scholarship program coordinator assigned to NTAG Northern Plains. “Our student applicants are both exceptional and humble, a testament to the quality education and strong work ethic of which the Midwest is known for.”

It is through teamwork between recruiters and organizations like the Navy League that the Navy is able to achieve recruitment goals. 

“For any student that is remotely interested in applying, I highly recommend taking the leap and logging onto our website today, as fiscal year 2024 applications are open to apply for,” added Sprague.

If interested in applying please visit https://www.netc.navy.mil/NSTC/NROTC/ for more information.

San Pedro, July 1, 2023

The Marine Exchange of Southern California, a beacon of maritime operations, is proud to announce its centennial anniversary. For a remarkable 100 years, the Marine Exchange has steadfastly promoted the safety, security, efficiency, reliability, and environmental soundness of the Marine Transportation System in the Southern California region.

Since its establishment 1 July 1923, the Marine Exchange of Southern California has been a cornerstone of the maritime industry, fostering collaboration, innovation, and excellence in the region. Over the past century, it has seamlessly navigated the changing tides to meet the evolving needs of the industry, providing invaluable services and support to a vast array of maritime stakeholders. The Marine Exchange maintains records of ship arrivals and departures stretching back to its inception and has evolved into the Maritime Information Center and Vessel Traffic Service for the Los Angeles-Long Beach Port Complex.

As the compass navigating maritime operations in Southern California, the Marine Exchange operates around the clock to chart the course of the smooth flowing commerce and safeguarding the vital waterways of the region. With its state-of-the-art vessel tracking systems, comprehensive maritime information services, and efficient communications networks, the Marine Exchange has revolutionized the way ships navigate and operate in the four major ports of Southern California: Port Hueneme, Los Angeles, Long Beach, and San Diego, as well as the offshore marine oil terminal at El Segundo.  For example, the Marine Exchange worked with Industry and Public Sector Partners to develop the new queuing system for labor, which helped manage, increase safety, and increase air quality, the record-breaking backup of container ships during 2020-2022, which reached a peak of 109 on 9 January 2022.

To commemorate this remarkable milestone, the Marine Exchange brought together industry leaders, government officials, and stakeholders in a Centennial Celebration to pay homage to its rich maritime heritage and a century’s worth of contributions to the maritime community.  On June 29, the Marine Exchange kicked off their 100^th year with a celebration featuring a ceremony, speeches, cake-cutting, and an exhibition showcasing 100 years’ worth of keepsakes and photos. In attendance was a range of industry professionals and elected officials including Long Beach Vice Mayor Cindy Allen, MX Board President Bob Clark, President of the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners Sharon Weissman and Commissioner Bonnie Lowenthal, Los Angeles Harbor Commissioners Diane Middleton and Lee Williams, Port of Los Angeles Deputy Executive Director and LA Port Police Chief Tom Gazsi, US Coast Guard Captain Stacey Crecy, ILWU Local 94 Vice President Duane Martinez, Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker, and representatives from the offices of California State Senator Steven Bradford, Assemblymember Mike Gipson, and Assemblymember Josh Lowenthal.

21 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Divisions 5 and 6 provided safety and security support throughout the event.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this momentous milestone in our history,” said Captain Kip Louttit, USCG, Retired, Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California. “For 100 years, we have been at the forefront of maritime operations, and this anniversary is a testament to our unwavering commitment to a safe, secure, efficient, reliable, and environmentally sound Marine Transportation System in Southern California waterways. We are proud to honor our storied past and engage with the maritime community to chart a course for an even brighter future.” For more information about the Marine Exchange of Southern California’s centennial celebration, please visit their official website at mxsocal.org, or contact [email protected]

Release from HII

***** 

PASCAGOULA, Miss., June 30, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII’s (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division announced today the successful completion of builder’s sea trials for the U.S. Coast Guard‘s newest national security cutter, Calhoun (WMSL 759). The ship successfully tested propulsion and auxiliary equipment, as well as various ship systems. 

“Every successful sea trial is a major accomplishment for our shipbuilders, and the NSC team has worked hard to ensure the Coast Guard receives another highly capable and advanced cutter for the fleet,” Ingalls Shipbuilding NSC Program Manager Amanda Whitaker said. “Our team will continue to prepare NSC 10 for the next set of trials and ensure that this ship will be ready to undertake the most challenging Coast Guard missions.” 

For over two decades, Ingalls Shipbuilding has served as the sole designer and provider of the Coast Guard Legend-class national security cutter. The flagship of the Coast Guard fleet, national security cutters are capable of embarking and supporting a wide range of Coast Guard, Navy and NATO manned and unmanned aircraft. National security cutters have proven to be ideal platforms for drug interdiction, global illegal fishing, disaster relief and defense support operations. 

Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/ingalls-shipbuilding-builders-trials-calhoun-wmsl-759/.

NSC 10 is named to honor Charles L. Calhoun, the first Master Chief Petty Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard. Calhoun served in the U.S. Navy for three years during World War II and was honorably discharged in 1946 as a torpedoman second class. He enlisted in the Coast Guard that same year and held varying positions of leadership over the course of his career. 

Ingalls has delivered nine Legend-class national security cutters to the Coast Guard further enabling their important missions around the globe. 

Release from General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems

***** 

SAN DIEGO – 30 June 2023 – General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) announced today that it has been awarded a contract from General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences to perform propulsion system design, to provide modeling, technical evaluation, and analysis supporting the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Advanced Propulsor, Experimental (APEX) program. The APEX program is intended to develop and demonstrate a new generation of propulsion technology designs to power submarines and other undersea vehicles.   

“We are excited to leverage our expertise in system design, modeling, and analysis, along with our extensive manufacturing experience to support the APEX program objectives. We look forward to working with General Dynamics to develop and explore propulsion concepts focusing on efficiency, signature, mechanical design and limits, and operational considerations” said Scott Forney, president of GA-EMS. 

Phase 1 of the APEX program will last 24 months. General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences is the prime contractor. GA-EMS will perform propulsion system design, engineering and analysis in its Boston, MA facility, and any required manufacturing and testing in its Manufacturing Center of Excellence in Tupelo, MS.   

Release from Military Sealift Command 

***** 

By Bill Mesta, USN Military Sealift Command

12 June 2023 

ATLANTIC OCEAN – A team of contracted civilian Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) specialists from Texas-based Skyways teamed up with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Rapid Prototyping and Experimentation Division and UX-24 Unmanned Test Squadron, the U.S. Marine Corps, Military Sealift Command and the crew of MSC’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) to test the Blue Water Logistics UAS’s ability to support expeditionary material transportation, while the ship was at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, June 11-12. 
 
 The Blue Water Logistics UAS, produced by Skyways, features a removable internal cargo bay capable of transporting small payloads of material from one location to another, autonomously. 
 
The team performed UAS test flights as part of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Marine Forces Command’s Fleet Battle Problem 23-1. 
 
“The UAS specialist, shore-side Marines and USNS Patuxent successfully completed the first integration of a logistics drone into a Fleet exercise,” according to John Bruening, Military Sealift Command Taluga Group Director. “Over the course of two days, the UAS flew simulated re-supply missions in support of U.S. Marine Corps troops ashore in North Carolina; making multiple deliveries of parts during Fleet Battle Problem 23-1.” 
  
The team used two drones to performed five UAS test flights off the coast of North Carolina. Three of the flights demonstrated the UAS’s ability to deliver simulated critical repair parts autonomously from USNS Patuxent to Marines operating in an expeditionary environment ashore. The UAS also successfully made two autonomous flights transporting simulated cargo from the Marines ashore to the fleet replenishment oiler at-sea. 
  
“Data analysis has shown that 90% of the high priority parts that are delivered from MSC’s Combat Logistic Force ships weigh less than 50 pounds,” Bruening stated. “Instead of using a helicopter or sailing ships close together to transfer these parts, we hope to use a logistics drone, which not only saves wear and tear on helicopters, it also provides flexibility to the warfighter while in support of Distributed Maritime Operations.” 
 
The team also performed additional UAS flights in the vicinity of USNS Patuxent to test some of the Blue Water’s new capabilities and technologies. 
 
“The Blue Water UAS flights were very successful and we met all of our objectives,” according to Bruening. “We proved that we can operate the logistic drones from ships as well as from the shore in support of the Navy and Marine Corps.” 
 
U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Marine Forces Command conducted Fleet Battle Problem-23, June 9-13, on-land and off the coast of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and the Virginia Capes to further develop integrated maritime capabilities with the II Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. 2nd Fleet. 
 
“There was a lot of excitement aboard USNS Patuxent and with the ashore team to see this new capability,” said Bruening. “The harsh maritime environment adds technical challenges, but the Blue Water UAS team is ready to attack those issues and increase worldwide logistics delivery capability.” 
 
Going forward, MSC and the Blue Water UAS team plans to continue adding capabilities to the drone as well as incorporate lessons learned from this underway period, according to Bruening. 
 
“We will have to change the way we think about logistics when we start using unmanned systems,” concluded Bruening. “When the Skyways UAS launched from USNS Patuxent, the radar controller asked for a status check of the drone and to report how many people were in the aircraft as that question is always asked after an aircraft takes off.  I answered ‘None, it’s a logistics drone.’  A new era has started!” 
 
In 2021, earlier versions of Blue Water UAS successfully performed ship to ship cargo delivery from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188) and the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96). Also in 2021, a Blue Water UAS demonstrated the ability to deliver simulated supplies to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald

12 June 2023 

ATLANTIC OCEAN – A team of contracted civilian Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) specialists from Texas-based Skyways teamed up with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division’s (NAWCAD) Rapid Prototyping and Experimentation Division and UX-24 Unmanned Test Squadron, the U.S. Marine Corps, Military Sealift Command and the crew of MSC’s fleet replenishment oiler USNS Patuxent (T-AO 201) to test the Blue Water Logistics UAS’s ability to support expeditionary material transportation, while the ship was at sea in the Atlantic Ocean, June 11-12. 
 
 The Blue Water Logistics UAS, produced by Skyways, features a removable internal cargo bay capable of transporting small payloads of material from one location to another, autonomously. 
 
The team performed UAS test flights as part of U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Marine Forces Command’s Fleet Battle Problem 23-1. 
 
“The UAS specialist, shore-side Marines and USNS Patuxent successfully completed the first integration of a logistics drone into a Fleet exercise,” according to John Bruening, Military Sealift Command Taluga Group Director. “Over the course of two days, the UAS flew simulated re-supply missions in support of U.S. Marine Corps troops ashore in North Carolina; making multiple deliveries of parts during Fleet Battle Problem 23-1.” 
  
The team used two drones to performed five UAS test flights off the coast of North Carolina. Three of the flights demonstrated the UAS’s ability to deliver simulated critical repair parts autonomously from USNS Patuxent to Marines operating in an expeditionary environment ashore. The UAS also successfully made two autonomous flights transporting simulated cargo from the Marines ashore to the fleet replenishment oiler at-sea. 
  
“Data analysis has shown that 90% of the high priority parts that are delivered from MSC’s Combat Logistic Force ships weigh less than 50 pounds,” Bruening stated. “Instead of using a helicopter or sailing ships close together to transfer these parts, we hope to use a logistics drone, which not only saves wear and tear on helicopters, it also provides flexibility to the warfighter while in support of Distributed Maritime Operations.” 
 
The team also performed additional UAS flights in the vicinity of USNS Patuxent to test some of the Blue Water’s new capabilities and technologies. 
 
“The Blue Water UAS flights were very successful and we met all of our objectives,” according to Bruening. “We proved that we can operate the logistic drones from ships as well as from the shore in support of the Navy and Marine Corps.” 
 
U.S. Fleet Forces Command and U.S. Marine Forces Command conducted Fleet Battle Problem-23, June 9-13, on-land and off the coast of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and the Virginia Capes to further develop integrated maritime capabilities with the II Marine Expeditionary Force and U.S. 2nd Fleet. 
 
“There was a lot of excitement aboard USNS Patuxent and with the ashore team to see this new capability,” said Bruening. “The harsh maritime environment adds technical challenges, but the Blue Water UAS team is ready to attack those issues and increase worldwide logistics delivery capability.” 
 
Going forward, MSC and the Blue Water UAS team plans to continue adding capabilities to the drone as well as incorporate lessons learned from this underway period, according to Bruening. 
 
“We will have to change the way we think about logistics when we start using unmanned systems,” concluded Bruening. “When the Skyways UAS launched from USNS Patuxent, the radar controller asked for a status check of the drone and to report how many people were in the aircraft as that question is always asked after an aircraft takes off.  I answered ‘None, it’s a logistics drone.’  A new era has started!” 
 
In 2021, earlier versions of Blue Water UAS successfully performed ship to ship cargo delivery from the fleet replenishment oiler USNS Joshua Humphreys (T-AO 188) and the guided missile destroyer USS Bainbridge (DDG 96). Also in 2021, a Blue Water UAS demonstrated the ability to deliver simulated supplies to the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78).

Release from Naval Sea Systems Command 

***** 

June 29, 2023 

By Team Submarines Public Affairs 

The Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base Program’s (SIB) Workforce Development Team in partnership with Department of Defense suppliers hosted more than 700 new workforce members for Talent Pipeline Project Signing Day events this summer in Philadelphia; Hampton Roads, Virginia; and Pittsburgh. 

These events recognize members who have completed trade skills training and are embarking on careers at small and medium-sized defense industrial base suppliers. 

The talent pipelines, administered by the Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) Program and its partners, address critical industrial base workforce needs by connecting career and technical training providers, students, and companies in the SIB. The program’s goal is to sustain a maritime and defense industrial base-focused talent pipeline, enabling employers to further develop their workforce through recruiting, hiring, training, and retaining skilled employees with critical trade skills.  

Senior Navy leaders, industry, non-profit, education partners, and federal and state elected officials who support workforce development efforts were in attendance to recognize the new workforce members. 

The Philadelphia Signing Day was held on May 4, followed by the Hampton Roads event on June 3 and the Pittsburgh event on June 20. 

During his address at the Philadelphia signing day, Matt Sermon, Executive Director, Strategic Submarines, said, “To those of you embarking on a career in national security, what you do is vital to defending the American way of life. The only way that America will keep pace with the technological savvy and industrial might of our competitors is with the American worker, with American innovation, leveraging technology, capacity building, and technical rigor. Thank you for your contributions to the industrial base.” 

The Philadelphia program is in its second year and during this year’s Signing Day, more than 165 employees that participated in the inaugural event in May 2022 were in attendance to celebrate their one-year anniversary. 

For many, participation in a talent pipeline has been life-altering. At the Hampton Roads Signing Day mother of four and newly minted welder, Cassandra Blythe, shared her personal journey that led to a career at SIB supplier, Advex. Blythe tragically lost her husband and was looking for a new way to provide for her family. 

“I chose the Certified Welding Program at Virginia Peninsula Community College,” said Blythe. “It was drastically different from what I was used to, but not totally unfamiliar. My two grown sons both have careers in welding for the defense industry, they offered support and dared me to give it a try.” 

Following in her family’s footsteps, Blythe’s daughter applied and was accepted to the welding program at New Horizons in Hampton, Virginia for the 2023-2024 school year. Blythe said she hopes to encourage women of all ages and inspire girls to seek a trade that is rewarding and fulfilling. 

Over the next 10 years, America’s submarine industrial base will need to hire 100,000 skilled employees to meet the Navy’s growing demand for submarine construction through 2040. 

“You are part of truly something special,” said Admiral Daryl Caudle, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command, during his keynote address at the Hampton Roads Signing Day. “No one else can do what our industrial base can do, anywhere in the world. No one else is able to sustain a combat fleet of conventional and nuclear-powered warships, at such a high tempo over the class lifecycle of thirty, forty, or even fifty years. No one else is so critical to our ability to deliver deterrence, sea control, and power projection at our timing and tempo. You all should be extremely proud. I know I am. It’s impossible to see the talent before me today and not be excited and confident in the future of our country.” 

The Navy is on a journey to recapitalize its sea-based strategic deterrence and to guarantee a capable and enduring undersea presence. To do so, it must address challenges to SIB capability, capacity, and workforce development. 

Speaking at the Pittsburgh event, Rear Admiral Scott Pappano, Program Executive Officer, Strategic Submarines said, “This event is to recognize the men and women who are taking the next step in their journey to join the defense industrial base. They are the future of this nation and will define where this nation goes in the next decade, the next generation, the next century. It all starts here, tonight.” 

Rear Admiral Pappano spoke about the importance of America’s submarine fleet in the context of increasing global threats and stressed the crucial importance of the manufacturing sector. 

“The most important thing we need right now is to re-establish manufacturing and continue to grow manufacturing. I’m very glad we’re doing that here in Pittsburgh.” 

Having launched the Hampton Roads and Pittsburgh Pipeline Projects this year, the Navy plans to build on the positive momentum with plans for five Signing Day events next year, adding events in Long Island, New York and Boston as SIB moves toward meeting workforce demand. 

For more information on the Navy’s Submarine Industrial Base Program’s Talent Pipeline Program visit: 

Talent Pipeline Program (dibtalentpipeline.com) 

From Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs 

***** 

29 June 2023 

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Carlos Del Toro announced in Paris that a future Constellation-class guided-missile frigate will be named USS Lafayette (FFG 65), June 29. 

The future USS Lafayette will honor Marquis de Lafayette and his service during the American Revolutionary War.  

A member of the French nobility, the young Lafayette took a fervent interest in the cause of the American revolutionaries, and in December 1776, was contracted into service as a major general in the Continental Army. In 1779, he returned briefly to France, where he successfully advocated for military aid for the Americans. He was wounded at the Battle of Brandywine, where British soldiers shot him in the leg. After his recovery, Lafayette joined Gen. George Washington as a member of his personal staff, forming a bond that has been characterized as the one shared between a father and his son. 

“Their shared ideals—that all people deserve liberty and the pursuit of happiness, as well as an unflinching commitment to democratic governance—are the foundation upon which the relationship between France and the United States of America continue to build upon today,” said Secretary Del Toro during remarks at the naming ceremony in Paris. “Just think, were it not for the Marquis de Lafayette’s willingness—along with that of tens of thousands of his compatriots—to fight alongside our Continental Army and Navy during our Revolutionary War centuries ago, we might not be here together this evening.” 

In 2002, Congress posthumously made Lafayette an honorary U.S. citizen.   

Three previous Navy vessels have been named in honor of Lafayette: a sidewheel ironclad ram, a transport ship (AP 53), and a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN 616). 

USS Lafayette, the fourth of our new Constellation-class frigates, is scheduled to commission in 2029. The other ships in the class are USS Constellation (FFG 62), USS Congress (FFG 63), and USS Chesapeake (FFG 64). 

USS Lafayette and her sister ships bring with them increased lethality, survivability, and the capabilities that our Joint Force requires to conduct operations around the world with our partners and allies. 

“Just as her namesake, the Marquis de Lafayette did almost 250 years ago, USS Lafayette and her crew will stand ready to answer our Nation’s call to defend our shared principles around the world, ensuring that our global maritime commons remain free and open for all who wish to use them for lawful activities,” said Secretary Del Toro. 

U.S. Ambassador to France Denise Bauer said, “The vital American-French alliance owes much to our historic naval partnership and to the early leadership of the Marquis de Lafayette, and so it is entirely fitting that the United States Navy will name a vessel in honor of this legendary hero.”  

The Constellation-class guided-missile frigate represents the Navy’s next generation small surface combatant. This ship class will be an agile, multi-mission warship, capable of operations in both blue-water and littoral environments, providing increased combat-credible forward presence that provides a military advantage at sea. 

The Constellation-class will have multi-mission capability to conduct air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and information operations. 

Specifically, the class includes an enterprise air surveillance radar, Baseline Ten Aegis combat system, a Mk 41 vertical launch system, communications systems, Mk 57 gun weapon system countermeasures, and added capability in electronic warfare and information operations with design flexibility for future growth.  

A ship naming celebration will also take place at George Washington’s Mount Vernon in Virginia on July 3, 2023.    

Find more information on Constellation-class guided-missile frigates here. 

Release from Naval Sea Systems Command 

***** 

June 28, 2023 

New Orleans, Louisiana – The Navy accepted delivery of the next-generation landing craft, Ship to Shore Connector (SSC), Landing Craft, Air Cushion (LCAC) 107, on Jun. 28. 

The delivery of LCAC 107 comes after completion of Acceptance Trials conducted by the Navy’s Board of Inspection and Survey, which tested the readiness and capability of the craft to effectively meet its requirements. 

“Delivery of LCAC 107 will immediately benefit the Navy and Marine Corps team as it provides capability around the globe,” said Capt. Jason Grabelle, program manager for Amphibious Assault and Connectors Programs, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships. “SSC provides the fleet with agility and speed to assist with current and future mission requirements.” 

LCACs are built with configurations, dimensions, and clearances similar to the legacy LCACs they replace – ensuring that this latest air cushion vehicle is fully compatible with existing, well deck-equipped amphibious ships, the Expeditionary Sea Base and the Expeditionary Transfer Dock. LCACs are capable of carrying a 60 to 75-ton payload. They primarily transport weapon systems, equipment, cargo, and assault element personnel through a wide range of conditions, including over-the-beach. 

Textron Systems is currently in serial production on LCACs 108-119. 

As one of the Defense Department’s largest acquisition organizations, PEO Ships is responsible for executing the development and procurement of all destroyers, amphibious ships, special mission and support ships, boats and craft. 

Release from Naval Information Forces Public Affairs Office

***** 

27 June 2023 

SUFFOLK, VA. – The Navy has announced the establishment of the Maritime Cyber Warfare Officer (MCWO) Designator via Naval Administrative Message (NAVADMIN) 143/23.  
 
The 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), signed into law on Dec. 23, 2022, directed the Secretary of the Navy, in coordination with the Chief of Naval Operations, to establish a cyber warfare operations designator for officers within 180 days after enactment of the NDAA. 
  
Previously, the Navy has utilized officers within the Information Warfare (IW) community, including Cryptologic Warfare (CW) and Information Professional (IP) to fill billets across the Cyber Operations Forces (COF).  The establishment of MCWO will allow officers to build expertise and professional experience within the COF. 
  
Vice Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander of Naval Information Forces and the Navy’s Information Boss, explained how the Navy developed its plan to establish the MCWO designator. 
  
“The Navy is committed to meeting current and future cyber capability requirements.  Naval Information Forces and key leaders in IW domain closely examined the IW construct and determined it did not adequately support multiple tours in the cyber mission area.  Creation of the MCWO designator creates a career path for those officers to specialize in the cyber mission and develop their unique and critical skillset.” 
  
The establishment of the MCWO designator is a major milestone in expanding the Navy cyber mission and recognizes the critical need for cyber specialization among the Navy officer line community.  MCWOs are experts in cyberspace operations, focused on both Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO) and Defensive Cyberspace Operations (DCO). 
  
“IW Officers have been absolutely critical to addressing threats in cyberspace – ensuring our Navy and joint force stay in competition,” continued Aeschbach.  “The Navy is committed to developing cyber specialization and skill sets among the MCWO Community to pace this competition, and to prevail in conflict if they are ever called to do so.” 
  
NAVIFOR’s mission is to generate, directly and through our leadership of the IW Enterprise, agile and technically superior manned, trained, equipped, and certified combat-ready IW forces to ensure our Navy will decisively DETER, COMPETE, and WIN. 
  
For more information on NAVIFOR, visit the command Facebook page at Https://Www.Facebook.Com/NavalInformationForces/ or the public web page at Https://Www.Navifor.Usff.Navy.Mil.  

Release from Bell Textron 

***** 

FORT WORTH, Texas (June 28, 2023) – The current H-1 fleet of AH-1Z Vipers and UH-1Y Venoms reached a major flight milestone by surpassing the 500,000-flight hour mark. Nearly 400 AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, built by Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc (NYSE:TXT) company and operated by the U.S. Marine Corps and their allies, combined to achieve the milestone. 

“The H-1 continues to be the premier example of a family of aircraft that can do more with less and deliver unmatched interoperability and expeditionary agility,” said Mike Deslatte, Bell H-1 vice president and program director. “We are thrilled to reach this tremendous milestone and excited for the future of both the Viper and the Venom as they continue to grow in number and capability around the world.”   

The H-1 Viper and Venom provide tremendous versatility to the fleet. Both variants demonstrated integration with advanced weapons and datalink capabilities.  

“We are proud that the first 500,000 flight hours of the UH-1Y and AH-1Z included constant deployments to austere deserts, numerous types of naval vessels, and frigid cold environments in support of U.S. and allied service members on the ground and at sea,” said Nate Green, Bell H-1 program manager. “With the Viper and Venom sharing 85 percent commonality of parts, a major advantage of this program is that a single readiness improvement or capability upgrade can often support both aircraft.”  

Bell supports the future of H-1s through its work on the Marine Corps Structural Improvement Electrical Power Upgrade (SIEPU) program. Structural and electrical modifications optimize the aircraft to improve mission capabilities, aircrew safety, and interoperability. Bell is currently working to increase the electrical power capacity on the platform, which will allow the airframe to support the integration of additional capabilities for years to come.   

“This milestone highlights the crucial missions our customers have accomplished with the H-1 during this time. Congratulations to the U.S. Marine Corps and their allies on this tremendous milestone. Bell is proud to be your partner on this platform,” added Deslatte. 

Bell provides diverse and comprehensive services to H-1 squadrons, including parts, maintenance, training, on-site field representatives, and data analytics, supporting worldwide operations.