US Munitions Stockpiles at Safe Levels
With senators raising concerns about the US munitions stockpiles in the wake of armaments Biden is sending to Ukraine, DefSec Lloyd Austin assures the lawmakers he will not allow critical munitions to fall below minimum levels. But the defense industry is already facing an array of supply chain obstacles.
Marine One Operational, Not Yet Secure
The new VH-92A Presidential Helicopter is integrating into the fleet that carries the US head of state as “Marine One.” But problems with the secure communications system could delay its full entry to service unless a fix is funded.
DoD Wants the Force More Capable, Not Bigger
The Defense Department is looking to reduce 25,000 military positions. DoD Comptroller Michael McCord said the goal is not to make the force bigger, but to make it more capable. The new budget request would reduce the number of active-duty sailors by 1,184 and the Reserve by 951.
Weather, Climate Disasters Taking Toll on Guard
Climate change and weather-related disasters are running the National Guard ragged, some experts believe. An increase in man hours spent fighting wildfires is just one example of how these record-breaking incidents are impacting the Guard, which often responds to wildfires and hurricanes all over the country.
Marines Can’t Protect and Surge
The Marine Corps did not have enough amphibious warships to meet its mandate to protect the nation and answer the call from the head of US European Command for a Marine Expeditionary Unit and Amphibious Ready Group to deploy early to Europe as a hedge against the Russian-Ukraine conflict expanding.
US Closes Arms Deal for Ukraine
More than a dozen European allies will get nearly $400 million in a deal to buy American military hardware to backfill weapons they’ve donated to Ukraine from their own stockpiles. It is not a donation of drawn-down US stockpiles, but cash to purchase arms and military supplies from the US.
3 Options in Navy’s New Shipbuilding Plan
The Navy is sifting through three options for its shipbuilding plans — only one gets to the goal of 355 ships.
More Weapons on the Way to Ukraine
More weapons – howitzers, artillery rounds, unmanned aerial systems – are on the way to Ukraine as part of the US’ latest arms package. And a retired three-star Army lieutenant general will help coordinate the security assistance the US and other partner nations are providing.
Crocodile Briefly Shuts Airfield
A crocodile sunning on the Boca Chica Key airfield forced NAS Key West to call in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to move the reptile beyond the fence line, so planes could take off and land.
Rocket Lab Breaks Ground at Wallops
Rocket Lab USA intends to build a 250,000-square-foot production complex and launch pad for its new Neutron rocket on a 28-acre site adjacent to the Wallops Flight Facility.
