Submarine USS Arkansas Launches at Newport News

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…

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Meink Confirmed as Air Force Secretary

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…

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USS Normandy Returns to Norfolk Home Port

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…

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General Dynamics Awarded Contract on Building Two Submarines

WASHINGTON – Naval Sea Systems Command has awarded a two-ship contract modification on the existing Virginia-class submarine Block V contract to General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) for the construction of two FY 2024 Virginia-class submarines. The award signals the Navy’s commitment to maintaining its warfighting advantage in the undersea domain and continues the Virginia-class’s teaming arrangement…

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Army Establishes New Fitness Test

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army announced the establishment of the Army Fitness Test (AFT) as the official physical fitness test of record for all Soldiers, replacing the Army Combat Fitness Test. The five-event AFT, is designed to enhance Soldier fitness, improve warfighting readiness, and increase the lethality of the force. The AFT consists of the…

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USS Nimitz Arrives in Guam for Port Visit

APRA HARBOR, Guam – 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), USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) arrived in Guam for a regularly scheduled port visit, April 18. [US Navy Photo above] As a sovereign part of…

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Defense Dept. to Assess Progress of DEI Elimination

A nine-member Defense Department task force headed by Jules W. Hurst III, an Army veteran who is performing the duties of undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, will visit numerous military installations, including military service academies, in April and early May. The task force will evaluate the implementation of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s recent…

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Navy Will Reinstate Sailors Who Left Due to Covid

The United States Navy is inviting former Sailors who voluntarily left the service or allowed their service to lapse, rather than comply with the COVID-19 vaccination mandate, the opportunity to apply for reinstatement, in accordance with Executive Order 14184, “Reinstating Service Members Discharged Under the Military’s COVID-19 Vaccination Mandate.” Under this initiative, Sailors who are…

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USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul Embarks on Maiden Voyage

[Photo above: The combat ship USS MINNEAPOLIS ST.PAUL (LCS 21) departed from Naval Station Mayport on March 26, beginning her maiden deployment to support U.S. 4th Fleet area of operations. Navy photo by Abrionna Thompson.] MAYPORT, FL – The combat ship USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul (LCS 21), along with the “Valkyries” of Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron…

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