AMARILLO, Texas — Bell Textron, a Textron company, has started production of the first AH-1Z Viper for the Czech Republic at Bell’s Amarillo Assembly Center, the company said Feb. 23. The production of the Viper joins UH-1Y production as part…
CH-53K Test Team Wins DON Test and Evaluation Award
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The CH-53K King Stallion test team, part of the Heavy Lift Program Office, PMA-261, is the recipient of the Department of the Navy Test and Evaluation Working Integrated Product Team award for 2021, Naval Air Systems…
Navy Decommissions Coastal Patrol Ship USS Firebolt
BAHRAIN — The crewmembers of Cyclone-class coastal patrol ship USS Firebolt (PC 10) marked the end of the ship’s U.S. Navy service during a decommissioning ceremony Feb. 23 at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. The nearly 27-year-old ship was one of 10…
CNO Is ‘Sighted on a Bigger, More Capable Navy’
ARLINGTON, Va. — Addressing the topic of future force structure after it submerged again into the depths of analysis, the Navy’s top officer laid out his views for a “bigger, more capable Navy” in the future informed by a series…
U.S. Navy Reestablishes Submarine Squadron 8
NORFOLK — The U.S. Navy reestablished Commander, Submarine Squadron (COMSUBRON) 8 during an official ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on Friday, Feb. 18, commander, Submarine Force Atlantic said in a release. COMSUBRON 8’s reestablishment is intended to distribute and align…
Mississippi, Maine Delegations Urge Support for Destroyers in Navy’s Next Budget
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker and Cindy Hyde-Smith, and Representatives Steven Palazzo and Trent Kelly, all Republicans from Mississippi, joined lawmakers from the Maine congressional delegation in a letter urging Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro to include…
USCGC Reliance Returns to Homeport Following 52-day Patrol
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Reliance (WMEC-615) returned to homeport in Pensacola, Florida, Feb. 18, following a 52-day patrol in the Caribbean Sea in support of the Coast Guard 7th District. The Reliance crew supported…
NATO ASW Exercise Under Way off Sicily
MEDITERRANEAN SEA — While the NATO maritime forces have had to navigate around the rocks and shoals of the global pandemic, it has not stopped them from exercising and raising their game in looking for adversary submarines in the Mediterranean….
Navy’s CMV-22B Achieves Initial Operational Capability Designation
The Navy announced initial operational capability for the CMV-22B Osprey, confirming the platform’s operational readiness following the successful completion of its first deployment on Feb. 17, Naval Air Systems Command said Feb. 18. The aircraft was formally declared IOC on…
Coast Guard Cutter James offloads More than $1.06 Billion in Illegal Narcotics
MIAMI — Coast Guard Cutter James’ crew offloaded approximately 54,500 pounds of cocaine and 15,800 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $1.06 billion on Feb. 17 at Port Everglades, Florida, the Coast Guard 7th District said in a release. The ship’s…
