Happy 244th Birthday to the United States Navy
Two-hundred forty-four years ago today, the Second Continental Congress gathered in Philadelphia to pass a resolution that would create the Continental Navy, authorizing the purchase of two vessels.
These early ships would hardly cause the mighty British navy to quake in their boots. One of them, the USS Andrew Doria, was a 75-foot merchant brig that had to undergo a number of modifications before it was battle-ready. [Read more]
Russia’s Submarines are Getting Harder to Find (Business Insider)
The Russian sub fleet is growing and growing more active, and the US and its NATO partners are more concerned about what those boats and rest of the Russian navy are up to around Europe. [Read more]
Impeachment, Congressional Gridlock Threaten NDAA’s Passage (Space News)
With NDAA conference negotiations already under way, there is apprehension in the Pentagon that the presidential impeachment inquiry and the gridlock that has gripped the Congress will keep defense policy and funding bills from getting passed. [Read more]
VA Issues $400 Million In Home Loan Fee Refunds (Dept. of Veterans Affairs)
“The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently completed an aggressive initiative to process home loan funding fee refunds to Veteran borrowers, issuing more than $400 million in refunds. The refunds are the culmination of a multi-year internal review of millions of VA-backed home loans spanning almost two decades.” [Read more]