Confidence in US Military Lowest in 25 Yrs.
American confidence in the United States military — 60% — is at its lowest point in 25 years, according to a new Gallup poll. The all-time low came in 1981, on the heels of the Iran hostage crisis.
Former Pax Test Pilot to Lead Next NASA ISS Mission
LT COL Jasmin Moghbeli will lead NASA’s next space station mission. She will serve as the commander of the upcoming SpaceX Crew-7 mission, slated to launch August 17. Moghbeli is a graduate of the US Naval Test Pilot School at Pax River.
Lockheed Top Dollar Contractor Again
The General Services Administration released FY22’s financial commitments federal agencies made to their top 100 contractors. As in past years, Lockheed won more than anyone else, $47.7 billion – nearly as much as the next two combined: Raytheon scored $27 billion and General Dynamics at $24.7 billion.
Biden Taps Franchetti to Lead Navy
President Joe Biden is set to tap ADM Lisa Franchetti to lead the Navy, which would make her the first woman to serve as a member of the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff.
F-35: Filling Gaps after Turkey’s Exit
A new Germany-based F-35 fuselage factory near Düsseldorf is expected to begin operations in 2025. It will replace a factory previously operated by Turkey. The new factory will fill a void in the supply chain resulting from the US removing Turkey and its companies from the F-35 program.
House Passes NDAA w/ Restrictions
The House narrowly passed its $886 billion defense policy bill mostly along party lines on Friday, breaking a longstanding tradition of passing the legislation on a broad bipartisan basis, reports Politico. Democrats largely opposed the National Defense Authorization Act after Republicans loaded it up with controversial amendments, including ones to restrict the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy, cut funding for medical care for transgender troops and diversity programs.
Ukraine: Biggest NAVWAR Ever
NAVWAR is the use of space and cyberspace to disrupt a military’s positioning, navigation, and timing. “What we’re seeing in Ukraine now is the largest NAVWAR confrontation ever seen,” says Space Command’s deputy commander.
Military Struggles to Reach Recruitment Goals
US DefSec Lloyd Austin swore in new military recruits last week. As DoD marked the 50th anniversary of the country’s all-volunteer force, the armed services are struggling to meet recruitment goals.
Pax Firefighter Buried Today
Naval District Washington Firefighter Brice C. Trossbach died fighting a house fire in Leonardtown on June 27. His services will be streamed live this morning at 10am. Expect traffic delays around and on NAS Pax River through the 12:30 to 2pm funeral procession.
Service Academies Exempt in Affirmative Action Ruling
Military service academies are exempt from the US Supreme Court’s recent ruling on affirmative action that effectively ends that policy at the country’s colleges and universities.
