PASCAGOULA, Miss. — The guided-missile destroyer USS Fitzgerald departed Huntington Ingalls Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuilding shipyard on June 13 to return to its homeport in San Diego, Naval Sea Systems Command said in a release. The sail away reflects more than two years of effort in restoring and modernizing…
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…
Senate Bill Devotes More Money to Shipbuilding, Creates Pacific Deterrence Initiative
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Senate Armed Services Committee’s $740.5 billion version of the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act includes a billion-dollar boost in shipbuilding to $21.3 billion, signaling support for the 355-ship U.S. Navy “as soon as practicable.” The legislation, approved…
Bell-Boeing Delivers 400th Osprey
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. — Bell-Boeing has delivered the 400th V-22 Osprey to the Defense Department. U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command received the 400th Osprey, a CV-22, on June 2, marking a milestone for the world’s first production tilt-rotor aircraft. “The delivery of the 400th V-22 represents…
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 Secretary, CNO Announce New Batch of Flag Officer Assignments
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy secretary and chief of naval operations on June 10 announced these flag officer assignments: Rear Adm. Daniel L. Cheever will be assigned as director for plans, policy and strategy, J-5, U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, Peterson Air…
Cleaned After COVID-19 Detection, Amphib Carter Hall Awaits Crew’s Return
ARLINGTON, Va. — The most recent U.S. Navy warship to detect COVID-19 among crew members, the amphibious dock landing ship USS Carter Hall has been cleaned and sanitized and awaits a decision to move the crew back on board, according…
CNO to Issue Order Banning Confederate Flag
ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Navy has begun to develop a policy prohibiting the display of the Confederate battle flag aboard Navy bases, ships, aircraft and submarines, a Navy official said. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday’s order will be “meant to ensure unit cohesion,…
Defense Secretary Announces Flag, General Officer Nominations
ARLINGTON, Va. — Defense Secretary Mark T. Esper announced June 9 that the president has made the following nominations: Navy Vice Adm. James J. Malloy for reappointment to the rank of vice admiral and assignment as deputy commander, U.S. Central…
Coast Guard Breaks Illegal Fishing Interdiction Record for 3rd Straight Year
NEW ORLEANS — U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement crews have already interdicted a record-breaking number of lanchas throughout the Gulf of Mexico for fiscal year 2020, the Coast Guard 8th District said in a release. Since October 2019, Coast Guard assets…
