ARLINGTON, Va. — The Navy has awarded two contracts to Northrop Grumman Systems Corp. to advance the fielding of the new MQ-4C Triton high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) on April 1 awarded a $12.8 million…
Marine Pilots Killed in AH-1Z Helicopter Crash; First Naval Aviation Loss of 2019
ARLINGTON, Va. — The loss of a Marine Corps AH-1Z helicopter March 30 was the first crash of a U.S. naval aviation aircraft since the beginning of the calendar year. Two Marine pilots were killed when the AH-1Z Viper helicopter…
Coast Guard Cutter Seneca Returns Home After 86-Day Atlantic Patrol
BOSTON — Coast Guard Cutter Seneca returned to its homeport in Boston on March 30 after an 86-day patrol in the northern Atlantic Ocean, the Coast Guard 5th District said in a release. During the patrol, Seneca’s crew responded to…
Richardson Prepares Sailors to Out-Learn and Be Ready to Out-Fight Adversaries
Adm. John M. Richardson began serving as the 31st chief of naval operations on Sept. 18, 2015, and he’s in his last year at the helm of the U.S. Navy. During the intervening years, Richardson has focused the Navy on…
Navy Secretary Names Destroyer in Honor of Korean War Helicopter Crewman
WASHINGTON — Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer (DDG-131) in honor of a Korean War veteran and Navy Cross recipient, Aviation Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class George M. Neal, the secretary’s public affairs officer said…
Marines Perform ‘Arduous’ Evaluation of New Grenade Launcher
MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Virginia —The Marine Corps plans to introduce a new weapon intended to enhance the lethality of infantry Marines on the battlefield, the Marine corps Systems Command said in a March 26 release. The M320A1 is a…
Coast Guard Demobilizes Two Alaska Forward Operating Locations
KODIAK, Alaska — Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak aircrews demobilized forward operating locations (FOLs) in St. Paul and Cold Bay on March 15, concluding the supplemental coverage of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Chain, the Coast Guard 17th District said…
Navy Awards New Contract to Austal for Expeditionary Fast Transport Ships 13 and 14
Mobile, Alabama — The U.S. Navy awarded Austal USA a $261.8 million contract for the 13th and 14th Expeditionary Fast Transport ships (EPFs) on March 25, Austal said in a release. The new contract not only expands Austal’s current 12-ship…
Military Sealift Command Opens New Center for Excellence
NEWPORT NEWS, Virginia (NNS) — Military Sealift Command hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to signify the opening of its new Center for Excellence located on Joint Base Langley-Eustis on March 25. The Military Sealift Command Center for Excellence provides MSC-centric basic…
SECNAV Names Future Destroyer in Honor of U.S. Navy Medal of Honor Awardee
WASHINGTON — Navy Secretary Richard V. Spencer has named a future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, DDG 130, in honor of a Medal of Honor recipient, Hospital Corpsman Master Chief William Charette, the secretary’s public affairs office said in a March…


