President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order this month changing the Defense Department’s name to the Department of War as a secondary title. The order — the 200th signed by the president since taking office — authorizes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and DOD subordinate officials to use secondary titles like “Department of War,” “Secretary…
The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRF CSG) led an allied maritime force with Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and NATO Allies Norway, Germany and France to conduct routine operations in the High North region from Aug. 23-Sept. 8, 2025. The High North in the Arctic Ocean is a critical region for the U.S….
APRA HARBOR, Guam – The aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, and cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62) arrived in Guam for a scheduled port visit, August 17, while destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) visits Saipan. [Photo above: The USS George…
The aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 11, embarked Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 17, and destroyers USS Gridley (DDG 101) and USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) arrived in Manama, Bahrain, for a scheduled port visit, on Aug. 10. This marks the first port visit for an aircraft carrier…
NORFOLK, VA – Guided-missile destroyer USS Mitscher (DDG 57), assigned to Destroyer Squadron Two (DESRON-2), departed Naval Station Norfolk for a regularly scheduled deployment to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility on July 25, 2025. Equipped with the Aegis combat system, Mitscher provides multi-mission offensive and defensive capabilities to conduct anti-air, anti-submarine and anti-surface…
MEDITERRANEAN SEA – The United States’ newest and world’s largest aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), guided-missile destroyers USS Winston S. Churchill (DDG 81) and USS Bainbridge (DDG 96), all assigned to Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group (GRFCSG), transited the Strait of Gibraltar with Spanish Navy Santa Maria-class ESPS Canarias (F86), and…
NEWPORT NEWS, VA — Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced that Virginia-class submarine USS Arkansas (SSN 800) was recently launched into the James River at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division. Shipbuilders transferred the submarine from a construction facility to the floating dry dock, where it was launched and moved by tugboats to a submarine pier…
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a pay raise for Army paratroopers during remarks to current and former members of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC this week. Hegseth made the announcement during the 82nd’s All American Week, a four-day event that brings past and present paratroopers together to celebrate their service through competitions…
WASHINGTON — Dr. Troy E. Meink was confirmed May 13 by the Senate as 27th Secretary of the Air Force, placing a trained engineer who rose through ROTC to senior positions, including those focusing on space, as the Department’s highest-ranking civilian leader. The 74-25 vote reflected both Meink’s well-known record from previous active duty and…
The Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Normandy (CG 60) returned to Naval Station Norfolk on May 15, concluding a nearly three-month deployment to the U.S. 4th Fleet area of responsibility. The crew departed Feb. 25, 2025 with their mission focused on strengthening maritime partnerships, enhancing regional security, and conducting multinational naval operations in the Caribbean and…