By U.S. 6th Fleet Public Affairs, April 30, 2026

Exercise Obangame Express 2026 officially concluded during a ceremony in Douala, Cameroon, host nation for the 15th iteration, on April 30. The ceremony marked the conclusion of three weeks of training for participants from 30 nations across Africa, Europe, South America and the U.S. reinforcing regional collaboration and maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea.

“As this exercise concludes, our work is not over. Obangame Express is not simply an annual event; it is a catalyst for continuous cooperation,” said Capt. Andrew Cleeves, exercise director for Obangame Express 2026. “I challenge you to maintain the networks you have built, to keep the lines of communication open, and to make ‘togetherness’ a daily practice.”

Obangame Express, the largest multinational maritime exercise in West and Central Africa, is an annual event facilitated by U.S. 6th Fleet and sponsored by U.S. Africa Command. Obangame means “togetherness” in the Fang language to symbolize the partnerships built and strengthened through the collaborative effort.

This year, participants worked together from Maritime Operations Centers located across the Gulf of Guinea and from ships at sea, focusing on countering illicit maritime activity and improving communication and information sharing between nations. With over 30 nations working together across the 5 Yaounde Code of Conduct zones in maritime operations centers and at sea, partners operated in real-time to conduct complex scenarios including piracy interdiction, illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing enforcement and search-and-rescue operations.

“With piracy, illegal fishing, various forms of trafficking and attacks faced on the maritime environment, our response must be commensurate with the challenges: concerted, structured, and sustainable,” said Vice Adm. Jean Mendoua, chief of naval staff of the Cameroon navy. “Cameroon, faithful to its international commitments, will continue to play its full role in this collective dynamic.”

In addition to at-sea training, subject matter experts from participating nations led classroom instruction on topics such as maritime law and interdiction, medical readiness, and command-and-control techniques. These exchanges are vital for building long-term cooperation and understanding among the partner nations.

“Every time you demonstrate the capability to counter piracy, you are safeguarding the flow of global commerce that fuels economic growth for the entire continent,” said Cleeves. “Maritime security is the bedrock of economic prosperity.”

Participating nations in OE26 include: Angola, Benin, Belgium, Brazil, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Equatorial Guinea, France, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Italy, Liberia, Mauritania, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Republic of Congo, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, Togo, Tunisia and the United States. 

OE26 is one of three regional maritime “Express” series exercises led by U.S. 6th Fleet as part of a comprehensive strategy to provide collaborative opportunities to African forces and international partners to address maritime security concerns.

Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet, headquartered in Naples, Italy, conducts the full spectrum of joint and naval operations, often in concert with allies, international partners, and other U.S. government departments and agencies to advance U.S. national interests, security and stability in Europe and Africa.

By Lt. j.g. Paul Archer

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet successfully concluded their annual Fleet Experimentation (FLEX) event from April 24-30. The exercise showcased the powerful integration of unmanned systems and artificial intelligence in the fight against transnational organized crime.

FLEX is a cornerstone of USNAVSOUTH’s strategy to field advanced robotic and autonomous systems, addressing the challenge of patrolling vast maritime regions with a limited number of traditional naval assets. The campaign focuses on operationalizing AI alongside innovative air, surface, and subsurface platforms to accelerate the delivery of next-generation capabilities to the fleet.

“The time to work with international partners and industry leaders to secure the Western Hemisphere is now,” said Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, commander of USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet. “Through FLEX, we leverage and operationalize new technological advancements to increase maritime domain awareness, counter illicit traffic, and defend our homeland.”

The at-sea portion of the exercise demonstrated a sophisticated kill chain where commercially developed unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and unmanned surface vehicles (USV) worked in concert with traditional manned platforms — MH-60 helicopters and the Freedom-variant littoral combat ship USS Wichita (LCS 13). These synchronized platforms successfully found, fixed, tracked and targeted a captured drug boat. This scenario culminated in a successful law enforcement interdiction and kinetic engagements destroying several captured drug boats, proving the concept’s real-world effectiveness.

Highlighting the event’s strategic importance was a group of distinguished visitors, including Undersecretary of War for Research and Engineering Emil Michael; Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command; and Vice Adm. John Dougherty IV, commander of Naval Air Systems Command. Leaders from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, Joint Interagency Task Force South, partner-nation militaries and various industry partners also attended.

“FLEX provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders to operationalize new technologies that directly support our warfighters in countering illicit activities and threats,” said Dr. Christopher Heagney, the Naval Air Systems Command Fleet / Force advisor to USNAVSOUTH/4th Fleet. “From initial concept in December, to fielding operational systems by April, we showed how quickly the acquisition community and Fleets are delivering increased capability and lethality at a lower cost and risk to the Warfighter.  This is the result of strengthening partnerships between Congress, defense laboratories and programs, industry, and academia.”

This year’s FLEX in Key West serves as a prelude to further experimental operations later this year in Comalapa, El Salvador, deepening international partnerships and advancing the integration of unmanned platforms into a hybrid fleet.

FLEX 2026 featured a comprehensive collaboration across the Department of War. Participants included operational commands like U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet and Joint Interagency Task Force South, alongside premier research and development entities from the Navy, Army and Air Force, as well as the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office.

The success of FLEX and the development of the hybrid fleet are critically dependent on robust collaboration between the Congress, Department of War, and trailblazers in industry and academia. These partnerships are the engine of innovation, accelerating the development and fielding of cutting-edge unmanned systems and AI. By bridging the gap between commercial ingenuity and military requirements, these collaborations ensure the fleet can rapidly adapt and integrate the most advanced technologies, maintaining a decisive advantage at sea.

U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet supports U.S. Southern Command’s joint and combined military operations by employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships to enhance regional security and promote peace, stability, and prosperity in the Caribbean, Central and South American region.
 

From U.S. Fleet Forces Command

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) has completed sea trials, marking the successful early completion of its Planned Incremental Availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

A PIA is a scheduled period for an aircraft carrier to undergo extensive maintenance, repairs and modernization to meet future operational demands, spanning a wide array of overhauls and inspections. Regularly scheduled maintenance maximizes the lifespan of Navy warships and ensures mission readiness.

“Mighty IKE” becomes NNSY’s second timely carrier delivery back to the fleet following USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) completing its PIA in November 2024.

“The primary drivers behind IKE’s successful availability are the NNSY, Ship’s Force, and contractor teams who ensure the ship is materially ready to fight,” said Project Superintendent, Cmdr. Jason Downs. “The entirety of the project team mustered more than 4,000 people daily, all with one common vision–deliver IKE, fully mission capable, back to the fleet before our commitment date. The highly skilled tradespeople and sharp engineering acumen are the heroes in the IKE FY25 PIA story.”

The project team proved resourceful in accomplishing work pier side while NNSY’s carrier dry dock continued its multiyear renovation as part of the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program. NNSY firsts during this availability included installing a main seawater valve for a waterborne carrier, as well as performing nozzle block inspections of main engine high pressure turbines to scope repair to similar components in the fleet. For the first time at any of the nation’s four public shipyards, underwater carrier shafting inspections were performed to help gauge future dry dock work on IKE. “Lastly, we executed first-time catapult trough non-destructive test inspections and structural repairs, efforts that were pivotal to extending the life of this significant aircraft launch system,” added Downs.

During the PIA, the project team worked to prioritize new work and effectively manage workload with available workforce capacity, efforts that contributed to a timely delivery. By aligning resources with readiness priorities, more ships and submarines are available as needed for fleet tasking. “This team thoughtfully budgeted workload and workforce to execute more than 25,000 resource days of new work,” said Downs. “This team also meticulously managed to execute the required new work under budget, saving 2,000 resource days.”

“IKE represents the SECOND consecutive early finish of an aircraft carrier availability at Norfolk Naval Shipyard. Our NNSY project teams are now setting the corporate standard for aircraft carrier maintenance,” said Shipyard Commander Rear Admiral Kavon Hakimzadeh. “Thank you to everyone who drove to focus and finish this significant availability, meeting our commitment and enabling IKE to continue supporting our national defense.”

“Based on the current global security landscape, IKE’s early delivery is a critical national security imperative,” said Downs. “An aircraft carrier is one of the most powerful instruments of national will, and having one delayed in the shipyard creates a significant strategic gap at a time when US military presence is in high demand across multiple theaters.”

A Nimitz-class nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Dwight D. Eisenhower serves as flagship for Carrier Strike Group 2. As one of the largest, most historic and multifaceted shipyards in the nation, Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s mission is to repair, modernize and inactivate Navy warships and training platforms to maximize readiness and availability for fleet tasking.

By Lt. Jaliya Wilson, U.S. 7th Fleet Public Affairs, April 27, 2026

U.S. 7th Fleet flagship USS Blue Ridge (LCC 19) returned to Commander, Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, April 23, marking the completion of the spring patrol in the Indo-Pacific region.

Blue Ridge departed for patrol March 8 and traveled 6,613 nautical miles, making port visits to Okinawa, Japan; Changi, Singapore; Manila, Philippines; and Laem Chabang, Thailand. 7th Fleet leadership also disembarked to conduct staff talks with military counterparts in Jakarta, Indonesia, and the commander hosted Philippine Navy, Royal Australian Navy and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force leadership aboard Blue Ridge while underway.

“Each engagement with our partners and allies advances our fleet interoperability, readiness and lethality,” said Vice Adm. Pat Hannifin, commander, U.S. 7th Fleet. “Blue Ridge provides a unique capability to command and control forces from the sea, enhancing our military-to-military partnerships across the theater. We appreciate the hospitality of each of these port cities and their respective nations’ commitments to ensuring maritime security throughout the Indo-Pacific.”

During the port visits, 7th Fleet and Blue Ridge leadership met with foreign dignitaries, as well as local leaders, to discuss ways of improving operational readiness, advancing future military capabilities and enhancing relationships in the region.

7th Fleet, embarked aboard Blue Ridge, commands the world’s largest forward-deployed fleet. Its primary mission is providing operational command and control for forces in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans while promoting regional stability and maritime security through engagements with allies and partners.

“This patrol was a huge success,” said Capt. Louis F. Catalina IV, commanding officer of Blue Ridge. “The hard work and commitment to excellence by our Sailors allowed us to meet every mission throughout a dynamic schedule. Their professionalism enabled the completion of 10 sea and anchor evolutions, four port visits, two big top receptions, and safe navigation alongside our Japanese, Australian, and Philippine allies during two group sail events. I am extremely proud to lead and serve alongside the Sailors who make up this talented team.”

U.S. 7th Fleet, the Navy’s largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific.

From HII

PASCAGOULA, Miss., April 28, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HII (NYSE: HII) announced today that the U.S. Navy awarded its Ingalls Shipbuilding division a $283 million contract to perform FF(X) class frigate lead yard support activities for the new frigate class. The contract allows Ingalls Shipbuilding to procure long lead time material, execute design work and begin pre-construction activities for the first ship. 

“We are proud of our past performance in engineering, design and production of warships that meet U.S. military standards, a performance that gave the Navy confidence to select the national security cutter as the basis for the next small surface combatant and to choose Ingalls as the program’s lead yard,” said Brian Blanchette, Ingalls Shipbuilding president. “We are excited to partner with the Navy to bring these preproduction steps under contract to accelerate delivery of the frigates that our warfighters need.” 

Under this contract, Ingalls Shipbuilding will begin cutting and shaping raw material to support future phases of work on the main structure foundation and the overall construction sequencing plan of the first frigate. This new approach will enable a smooth transition from design to production at Ingalls Shipbuilding and eventually across the industrial base. 

In December 2025, the U.S. Navy selected Ingalls Shipbuilding to design and build the future FF(X), leveraging the stable and proven design of the Legend-class national security cutter (NSC). Ingalls previously delivered 10 NSCs to the U.S. Coast Guard and will use the same proven build sequence for the FF(X) program. The new frigates will be constructed alongside production lines that currently support DDG 51 Flight III destroyers, LHA assault ships, LPD Flight II amphibious transport docks, and modernization activities for the Zumwalt-class guided missile destroyers. 

To meet urgent Navy demand and support construction of next-generation platforms, Ingalls Shipbuilding has invested more than $1 billion in modernizing its infrastructure, facilities, and toolsets. HII as a whole is actively working to expand U.S. shipbuilding capacity by, among other things, increasing the number of distributed shipbuilding partners, collaborating with international manufacturers, and evaluating the addition of another U.S. shipyard. 

The Navy’s new class of smaller combatant ships, the FF(X), is a critical component of the Navy’s fleet of the future. The FF(X) will be a smaller, more agile surface combatant designed to complement the fleet’s larger, multi-mission warships and enhance operational flexibility around the globe. 

From Fleet Readiness Center East, April 27, 2026 

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. — Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) is marking a new era of aircraft sustainment with the delivery of its first flight-certified metal additive manufactured parts to the fleet, significantly improving aircraft downtime and flight line readiness.   

A recent collaboration with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Additive Manufacturing Team and Fleet Support Teams has allowed the Advanced Technology and Innovation Team at FRCE to develop processes and obtain certification to use metal additive manufacturing to create its first non-flight-critical aircraft parts. 

Metal additive manufacturing works similarly to traditional 3D printing, but instead of applying plastic filament layer by layer, it uses high-powered lasers to weld thin layers of aluminum powder into a solid object. Since establishing capability, FRCE has used this process to manufacture and deliver three flight-worthy parts to the fleet: the weapons pylon fitting for the AH-1Z Viper, the repair fitting for the main landing gear on the V-22 Osprey, and a blanking plate for the C-130 Hercules. 

The integration of metal additive manufacturing marks a strategic shift in the command’s warfighter support. This capability is designed to enhance mission readiness by providing a more efficient and localized solution for parts procurement, effectively reducing maintenance lead times and ensuring aircraft remain flight ready. This on-demand manufacturing initiative is a central element of FRCE’s broader effort to modernize its support and enhance mission readiness. 

Beyond delivering its first flight-ready metal additive manufactured parts, FRCE reached a second milestone along the way: successfully completing the rigorous capability demonstration in under six months. This achievement serves as a formal validation of the depot’s metal additive manufacturing processes and confirms the 3D-printed metal parts made at the facility meet the same safety and quality requirements as traditionally manufactured parts. FRCE’s Advanced Technology and Innovation Team lead said this accomplishment was a group effort between many teams within NAVAIR. 

“We were challenged to complete the qualification, production and certification processes for these parts in six months, and we not only met but exceeded that standard,” the team lead said. “This is the fastest this sort of thing has ever been done within Naval Air Systems Command, and it shows that we are competitive with industry standards. This entire process has been a team effort between FRC East, our headquarters, the site in Lakehurst, and the Fleet Support Teams, working together to ensure these parts are ready and reliable for our troops.” 

The pylon fitting, a small but important attachment point for the aircraft’s weapon pylons, was the depot’s first flight-certified metal additive manufactured aircraft part. FRCE delivered the pylon fitting to the H-1 Fleet Support Team in early 2025, followed by the delivery of the landing gear repair fitting to the V-22 Fleet Support Team and the blanking plate to the C-130 Fleet Support Team later that year. 

In addition to the three flight-worthy parts, the FRCE has also used the metal additive manufacturing equipment to produce specialized tooling and support parts for the depot’s maintainers to use, allowing for more efficient repairs. 

Metal additive manufacturing provides the fleet with a time-saving solution for replacing worn and damaged parts that can be difficult to obtain through the traditional supply chains. FRCE Additive Manufacturing Team lead said producing the parts in-house and on demand improves flight line readiness by decreasing aircraft downtime. 

“If there’s a fight and the fleet needs these parts tomorrow, they won’t have time to wait for those parts through traditional supply chains,” the team lead said. “The fleet was having a hard time getting their hands on repair fittings for the V-22 main landing gear – it’s basically a doorstop for the landing gear door when it comes up. They turned to additive manufacturing and asked us if it was something we could make, so we took on that part, and a few others, as part of our capability demonstration. The goal is to give the fleet what they need when they need it, and we did just that.” 

FRCE will soon expand its metal additive manufacturing capabilities to include stainless steel, a stronger and more durable material than aluminum. This expansion will allow the depot to produce a wider range of flight-critical parts and support equipment for the fleet, further increasing flight line readiness. 

By Matt Lyman, NSWCDD Corporate Communications, April 24, 2026 

DAHLGREN, Va.  –  The U.S. Navy, in times of competition, conflict, and contingency or combat operations, leverages Maritime Operations Centers to equip commanders and staff with the resources needed to execute responsibilities as a component, Fleet and/or Maritime Component Commander. 

Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division is applying the Maritime Operations Center doctrine, and in concert with the U.S. Naval War College, offered the first NSWCDD Wartime Readiness Short Course at the Innovation Lab March 24-26, 2026, in Dahlgren, Virginia. 

Susan Botkin, the workforce development lead for NSWCDD, said the course ensures employees and military members understand how their work fits into larger Navy decision cycles and crisis-response frameworks. 

The inaugural class included about 24 students, comprised of Sailors and government civilians from NSWCDD and other Warfare Centers. They attended the course to begin building a common operational language across NAVSEA and the warfare center enterprise, enabling more effective collaboration, faster problem‑solving, and better alignment with Fleet priorities. 

“It’s essential because it strengthens the workforce’s ability to think, plan, and operate in the same environment our Fleet commanders face every day. NSWCDD’s technical excellence must be paired with operational understanding,” added Botkin.   

Instructors from the U.S. Naval War College taught the class, giving students direct access to professors who routinely teach senior officers preparing for command and major operational roles. This exposure accelerates learning, ensures our workforce receives instruction grounded in real‑world operational experience, and allows students to ask questions and get on-the-spot feedback. 

“The primary intended takeaway was a better understanding of how the Fleet plans and how the system commands accelerate support in a crisis.  Despite cultural and institutional differences, there are many similarities between what the SYSCOMs do and how the Fleet conducts missions,” said Eric Dukat, associate professor, director of operations at the College of Maritime Operational Warfare, Naval War College. 

That fact was not lost on the students who came from other Warfare Centers across the United States to attend the course. 

“For the Warfare Center Enterprise, this training was about moving from technical support to operational partnership. We are already experts at the how, but this course helped us better understand some of the why,” said Andria Wenz, the wartime readiness coordinator for NSWC Crane. 

Students will graduate from the short course with a deeper understanding of how the Navy plans, fights, and executes operations. They will have insight into the Maritime Operations Center construct and how decisions are made at the operational level. 

“By understanding MOC structures and the Navy Planning Process, we can go from being a reactive help desk to a proactive part of the Navy’s ‘Foundry’,” added Wenz. 

They will leave with a stronger ability to align their technical work with Fleet needs, improved communication skills when working with operators, sponsors, and senior leaders and a broadened perspective on how NSWCDD and other warfare center capabilities contribute to deterrence, crisis response, and wartime execution. 

“This signals to higher headquarters and to the Fleet that we take this seriously and that we are trying to prepare for crisis and/or conflict, because if we’re better, everyone’s better,” said Capt. Joe Oravec, commanding officer for NSWCDD. 

Increased activity across the globe, cyber threats, unmanned system proliferation, and the pace of technological warfare highlight the importance of preparing civilians to support the Fleet during crisis or conflict and have driven warfare centers, including NSWCDD, to refocus on Wartime Readiness. 

“Real-world events, the increased Navy presence around the world, rapid technological change and the fast-moving “era” of artificial intelligence, and contested maritime domains, have underscored the need for a workforce that understands operational readiness,” said Rob Ward, wartime readiness lead for NSWCDD. 

Students are expected to bring an enhanced toolkit back to their respective workspaces to help coworkers gain operational context and thus improve the quality and timeliness of technical solutions. 

They will also support more informed decision-making during tight deadlines from the Fleet, all while enhancing warfare center credibility. Setting the warfare centers apart as workforces, specifically committed to technical excellence, who are always willing to be there to support the Sailors and the Fleet. 

“Wartime Readiness is not just a short course; it is an investment in the Navy’s future. NSWCDD’s technical workforce plays a critical role in shaping the systems, tools, and capabilities the Fleet depends on,” said Ward. 

“To design for the fight, we must understand the fight. This training builds that bridge. It equips our workforce with the operational mindset needed to anticipate Fleet needs, accelerate innovation and deliver solutions that matter in the moments that matter most. By empowering our people with this knowledge, NSWCDD strengthens its role as a trusted, operationally relevant partner to the warfighter,” added Ward. 

From U.S Fleet Forces Command, April 29, 2026 

NORFOLK, Va. – First-in-class San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS San Antonio (LPD 17) returned to its homeport in Norfolk, Virginia, April 28, 2026, after eight and a half months at sea supporting the Iwo Jima Amphibious Ready Group (IWO ARG) and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)-Special Operations Capable (SOC) mission in the U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations.

San Antonio, alongside USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) and USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD 28), departed on Aug. 14, 2025. The three ships make up the IWO ARG and were among the first expeditionary naval assets called to support Operation Southern Spear. 

While on mission in the Caribbean, San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines worked seamlessly to support national-level tasking with joint services and naval assets in the region to accomplish Department of War-directed operations and the President’s priorities, which included Enhanced Counter Narcotics Operations designed to protect the homeland.   

“The performance of our Navy-Marine Corps team during Operation Southern Spear was nothing short of exceptional,” said Capt. Tom Uhl, San Antonio’s commanding officer.   

“Our deployment to the 4th Fleet area of responsibility required immense focus, and I stand continually impressed by this crew’s dedication to the mission,” said Uhl. “From the moment we left the pier, they leveraged their rigorous pre-deployment training to flawlessly execute enhanced counter-narcotics operations and seamlessly adapt to every contingency they faced in the region.” 

While in theater, San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines supported the U.S. Southern Command mission, Department of War-directed operations, and the President’s priorities to disrupt illicit drug trafficking and protect the homeland. The ship’s integrated team of Sailors and Marines stood ready as the backbone of support for Marines conducting embassy reinforcement in the region. The ship also executed contingency operations in the region, including disaster response efforts in Jamaica from Oct. 31 to Nov. 13, 2025, in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa. San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines partnered with Joint Task Force (JTF) Bravo to provide foreign humanitarian assistance to those greatly affected by the hurricane. 

“The destruction wrought by Hurricane Melissa was devastating to see,” said Uhl. “Having just pulled into St. Croix for a resupply opportunity, we quickly got back underway in less than 24 hours and made best speed toward Jamaica.” ` A whole-of-force effort, San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines took the lead in the mission to provide – by sea, air, and land – water, food, supplies, and assistance into highly affected areas where damage prevented the logistical flow of aid. The careful mission planning aboard San Antonio, in concert with JTF Bravo and the 22nd MEU (SOC), enabled mission success. Using organic ARG-MEU air assets, San Antonio’s crew enabled its embarked Marines from the 22nd MEU (SOC) to airlift aid and personnel directly into Jamaica to augment JTF-Bravo’s ongoing efforts. 

“By quickly surging to respond to this mission, our Sailors and Marines provided a beacon of hope for the people whose lives were upturned by the storm,” Uhl said. “I am extremely proud of this integrated team for meeting our tasking head on to provide aid to our neighbors in need.” 

Central to most deployments, San Antonio also made several port calls, among them St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Ponce, Puerto Rico. Sailors and Marines participated in several outreach projects across the community while in port. 

Community service projects are a cornerstone of every deployment and allow Sailors and Marines to connect with and give back to the community, while fostering vital relationships with partners and allies across the world as ambassadors of the United States. 

While in St. Kitts and Nevis, San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines had a unique opportunity to meet with leaders from the Caribbean Community and engage with the Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis, Dr. Terrance Drew. The visit highlighted the strong diplomatic ties between St. Kitts and Nevis and the United States of America. 

During the deployment, San Antonio traveled nearly 49,000 nautical miles and conducted roughly 453 hours of flight operations. This deployment proved the wide range of capabilities and flexibility that the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps team provides the Nation’s leaders. 

“For more than 20 years, USS San Antonio has deployed across the globe in support of U.S. strategic interests, serving as a symbol of freedom and 250 years of American sea power,” Uhl said. 

While in port in Norfolk, the warship will perform previously planned maintenance and preservation work to prepare for follow-on tasking. San Antonio’s Sailors and Marines will also have the chance to reunite with family during this in-port period. 

“The most important, key enabler in the resilience and efficacy of our force is without a doubt the Navy and Marine Corps families who support us on the homefront,” said Uhl. “They are our strongest motivation to get through the hardest days, and our greatest source of excitement to return home.” 

By Navy Chief Petty Officer Darren Moore, Submarine Readiness Squadron 32 

The U.S. Navy commissioned the submarine USS Idaho in a traditional ceremony at Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut, April 25.  

The ceremony marked the culmination of a multiyear construction process and officially brought the USS Idaho into the fleet. It is the fifth Navy vessel named for the Gem State. The most recent predecessor, USS Idaho, was a battleship commissioned in 1919 that earned seven battle stars for its service during World War II, including action at Iwo Jima and Okinawa, Japan.  

Sen. James Risch of Idaho delivered the principal address as the ceremony’s keynote speaker.  

Hung Cao, acting Navy secretary, also delivered remarks, emphasizing the strategic importance of the new submarine.  

“We are a maritime nation, bordering on both the Atlantic and the Pacific . Our commerce depends on safe and secure sea lanes of communication,” Cao said. “President Trump’s commission to our military is simple: to achieve peace through strength. The USS Idaho joins the fleet ready to answer the call to action, in any ocean, at any time.”  

Navy Cmdr. Chad J. Guillerault, commanding officer of the Idaho, addressed the attendees, speaking on behalf of the crew and the submarine’s rich heritage.  

“The Idaho connection is more than a name, it is a legacy — a legacy built before us that is being reborn today,” Guillerault declared. “I am incredibly proud to be the commissioning captain of a vessel so steeped in tradition … and most importantly, honored to be the captain of a crew so mighty that they have outshone all those before them.”  

The ship’s sponsor, Teresa Stackley, gave the traditional order to “man our ship and bring her to life,” at which point the crew ceremonially ran aboard to man the submarine. 

“This moment is for you, Cmdr. Guillerault, and your crew,” Stackley said. “Please note that when you sail, my heart sails with you.”  

The Idaho is the 26th Virginia-class submarine and the eighth of the advanced Block IV configuration. The ship was christened on March 16, 2024, at the shipyard in Groton.  

As the newest submarine to join the fleet, the Idaho brings cutting-edge warfighting capability to the nation’s undersea forces. Virginia-class submarines feature enhanced stealth, sophisticated surveillance capabilities and special warfare enhancements to meet the Navy’s multimission requirements.  

These submarines are 7,800 tons, 377 feet in length and have a beam of 34 feet. They are powered by a nuclear reactor plant that will not require refueling during the planned life of the ship, reducing lifecycle costs and increasing operational availability.  

The commissioning of the USS Idaho reinforces the Navy’s commitment to maritime superiority and national security. For 250 years, American naval power has projected strength across the globe. That mission continues and intensifies with the addition of the nation’s most advanced undersea assets.

From Naval Air Systems Command, April 27, 2026 

NAS PATUXENT RIVER, Md. — The U.S. Navy’s MQ-25A Stingray™ successfully completed its first test flight from Boeing’s facility at MidAmerica Airport in Mascoutah, Illinois, April 25, achieving a key step for unmanned carrier operations.  

The MQ-25A took off at 10:49 a.m. CDT and flew for approximately two hours. During the flight, U.S. Navy and Boeing Air Vehicle Pilots (AVPs) controlled the aircraft from the Unmanned Carrier Aviation Mission Control System MD-5 ground control station that includes Lockheed Martin’s MDCX™ system. The AVPs executed a series of maneuvers and tests, successfully validating the aircraft’s basic flight controls, engine performance, and handling characteristics.   

“Achieving this first flight underscores the strong partnership between the Navy and our industry partners,” said Rear Adm. Tony Rossi, who oversees the Program Executive Office for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons (PEO (U&W)). “The MQ-25A is not just an aircraft; it’s the first step in integrating unmanned aerial refueling onto the carrier deck, directly enabling our manned fighters to fly further and faster. This capability is vital to the future of naval aviation.”  

The MQ-25A Stingray is the U.S. Navy’s first operational, carrier-based unmanned aircraft system, designed primarily to serve as an aerial refueling tanker. By taking over the refueling mission from crewed fighters, the MQ-25A will significantly extend the combat range and effective strike capability of the Carrier Air Wing.   

“I am incredibly proud of the team for working tirelessly over the last several months to achieve this milestone,” said Capt. Daniel Fucito, Unmanned Carrier Aviation program manager (PMA-268). “The successful first flight officially initiates the rigorous flight test program, which will focus on expanding the aircraft’s performance envelope and verifying all mission systems.”  

The MQ-25A integrated test team will continue ground control station integration, expanding the flight envelope, and verifying performance parameters prior to its ferry flight to Pax River later this year.