Newest Littoral Combat Ship Reports to Fleet
The Billings, a Freedom-class littoral combat ship, was commissioned in a Saturday ceremony in Key West, FL. The warship is named after Montana’s largest city.
Night-Refueling Tests for F-35 Completed
The F-35 Lightning II program completes testing on an improved lighting assembly with the KC-135 that will enable F-35 variants to refuel behind the tanker at night.
Might a Fitness Band Replace Fitness Tests?
The technology exists to make a fitness band for sailors that could replace the semi-annual fitness test and create a “culture of fitness,” says Juan M. Garcia III, the former assistant secretary of the Navy for manpower and reserve affairs and retired Navy Reserve captain.
Trump Wants Out of Afghanistan by 2020 Election
SecState Pompeo says President Trump wants troops out of Afghanistan before the 2020 election. Pompeo says “real progress” has been made with security in the area. “It won’t just be us. … we hope that overall, the need for combat forces in the region is reduced.”
Navy Tests Cutting-Edge V-BAT Drone
The US Navy sent its expeditionary fast transport ship USNS Spearhead to sea to experiment with a number of cutting-edge technologies, including MartinUAV’s V-BAT drone. V-BAT is capable of vertical takeoff and landings while also retaining the high efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft for long-endurance missions.
Task Force to Study Cancer-Causing Chemicals Used on Bases
DefSec Mark Esper signed a memo on his first full day at work establishing a task force to deal with cancer-causing chemicals found on military bases.
Esper is Sworn in as DefSec
Mark Esper is sworn in as US Secretary of Defense during an Oval Office ceremony. Esper supports former DefSec Jim Mattis’ National Defense Strategy to maintain preparedness for conflict with capable adversaries like Russia and China.
$738B for DoD Not Enough, Says GOP
The nearly $1.4 trillion spending plan — which would prevent a government shutdown this fall and do away with the final two years of budget caps known as sequestration — includes about $738 billion for DoD in FY2020, a 3 percent increase from current year levels.
Flight Hours Cut for Some Squadrons
Budget shortfalls are forcing the US Navy to cut flight hours for several squadrons on the East Coast. Maritime patrol squadrons, test pilots, and fleet air support units will all see a 10 percent cut.
Turkey to US: Reverse Decision on F-35
Turkey has asked the US to reverse its decision to exclude that country from F-35 fighter jet program.
