Kenneth J. Braithwaite has been sworn in as the 77th secretary of the United States Navy. The ceremony took place on Friday at the Pentagon. Navy Times reports that Defense Secretary Mark Esper officiated. Braithwaite, who formerly served as the U.S. ambassador to Norway, retired from the Navy in 2011 as a one-star rear admiral.…
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The amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland (LPD-27) completed a critical test of a laser weapon system earlier this month off the coast of Hawaii, disabling an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in the process. The test took place May 16 using the Solid State Laser – Technology Maturation Laser Weapon System Demonstrator (LWSD) MK 2…
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While we often think of wars fought overseas when we think of Memorial Day, its origins were right here at home. A century and a half ago, it was known as Decoration Day, and it was done to honor the lives of those who had died during America’s bloody struggle with itself during the Civil…
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The Senate has confirmed Kenneth Braithwaite as the secretary of the Navy, a month and a half after former acting Secretary Thomas Modly stepped down. The Hill reports that Braithwaite’s nomination was approved by the Senate Armed Services Committee on earlier this week, leading to a voice vote Thursday by the full Senate that resulted…
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All of us at the Association of the United States Navy wish a speedy recovery to the security force member who was wounded in Thursday’s possible terrorism incident at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi. Even when not deployed, our Sailors and Coast Guardsmen at home are at risk of terrorism, and they rely on the…
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The commanding officer of the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG-58) has been removed from command of the ship less than two weeks after the vessel spilled 4,000 gallons of diesel fuel into the York River in eastern Virginia, according to a report. USNI News reports that Rear Adm. Richard Cheeseman, commander of…
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The Navy is “cautiously optimistic” that it will achieve its recruiting goals for the year despite the coronavirus pandemic that has caused most activities to grind to a halt. Navy Times reports that although there was a three-week pause this spring in recruiting because of the pandemic, the service still expects to reach its goal…
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The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) has been undergoing a second round of carrier qualifications (CQs) for Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS) pilots as it gets closer to joining the fleet. The Ford held its fourth independent streaming event (ISE) since commencing an 18-month post-delivery test and trials phase of operations back in November, the Navy…
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There will be no public Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, officials will hold a private wreath-laying ceremony with limited guests invited by the Office of the Secretary of Defense. The decision was made out of concern for the health and safety of attendees. Ordinarily,…
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The Department of Veterans Affairs has tested 95,680 Veterans for COVID-19 as of late April, and 6,372 have tested positive, according to a new report from the VA. Of that figure, 2,477 patients were submitted to VA facilities for COVID-19 care, and 1,352 have been discharged home. The VA serves 9.21 million total patients. The…
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