DoD Budget Short of Time and Submarines
The 2020 DoD Budget remains in a deadlock as time runs out to pass the defense policy bill. In addition to the budget battle being waged over the border wall, the defense budget does not contain everything the military had said it was seeking, including the number of attack submarines.
DoD Under-Utilizing Talent, Experts Say
DoD is under-utilizing existing talent and losing workers to civilian jobs. It needs to take a serious look at how it trains and assigns troops for high-tech jobs, says the Defense Innovation Board.
Military Pay Hike Is Safe, Some Lawmakers Say
A 3.1% military pay raise is set to take effect in a few months, despite current wrangling among lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Nationals Take Fans on a Wild Ride
The Washington Nationals took fans on a wild ride in 2019, all the way to the World Series, and then down to the wire, pulling ahead in the 7th inning of the 7th game to bring the World Series Championship home to Washington DC for the first time in 86 years.
$126M Aircraft Parts Found in 1st DoD Audit
With its next audit due out in two weeks, the Navy hopes its tracking system has improved. Last year’s audit found $126M in aircraft parts the Navy didn’t even know it had. It also didn’t know it had the warehouse where they’d been stored.
Is Navy Reconsidering 355-Ship Fleet?
Navy floating the idea of 310 ships as the best it can do at funding projections to keep the fleet properly manned, properly maintained, properly equipped, even though a 355-ship fleet “is a great target,” says Navy Vice Chief ADM Robert Burke.
With Pierside Exercises Complete, USS Ford Heads for Sea Trials
The plight of the USS Gerald Ford ignited a war of words between US lawmakers and Navy leaders last week as the first-in-class carrier finally heads to sea trials after a series of technical setbacks.
Boeing Says 737 Ban to Lift By End of Year
Boeing tells shareholders the ban on its 737 Max planes will be lifted before the end of the year. Grounded since March after two fatal crashes, 737 Max production costs rose in the quarter by almost $1 billion. The company is sticking to its plan to increase production of the planes to 57 a month by the end of 2020, up from 42 currently.
Troops May Guard Syrian Oil Fields
DefSec Mark Esper says some US troops may stay to guard Syrian oil fields, to make sure they don’t fall into the hands of a resurgent Islamic State.
Barrett Sworn In as Air Force Secretary
New Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett was sworn in late last week. She is the 25th secretary of the service and the fourth woman to serve as the Air Force’s top civilian leader.
