March 29, 2024

Probe Finds Pilot Error in F-35C Crash

JPALS

Naval Air Forces investigators found that pilot error caused an F-35C Lightning II fighter jet to crash onto the deck of the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson before sliding into the South China Sea last year. The error “was not conducted in a reckless manner nor with malicious intent,” according to the Naval Air Forces Command.

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Japanese Team Finds US WWII Sub

A team of Japanese researchers have located the missing submarine Albacore off Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost main island. USS Albacore (SS-218) had one of the most successful combat records of all Navy submarines in World War II when it sank near the strait between Hokkaido and Honshu islands, a main shipping channel on Nov. 7, 1944.

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More Tax Relief for MD Military Retirees?

Tax Relief

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore testified last week in support of a bill that would give the state’s military retirees a larger tax break. The tax exemption set would save Maryland veterans an estimated $30 million annually beginning in tax year 2024, according to the governor’s office.

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1st Missile Strike Missed UFO @ Lake Huron

Missile

The first US missile fired Sunday at the unidentified aerial object over Lake Huron missed the target and “landed harmlessly” in the water before a second AIM-9X Sidewinder missile successfully hit and blew up the octagonal object.

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Clutch Issues Ground Some V-22 Ospreys

V-22 Ospreys

A US Marine Corps MV-22B Osprey approaches the flight deck of the Lewis B. Puller-class expeditionary sea base USS Hershel “Woody” Williams on January 6, 2023. (US Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Conner D. Blake/Released) Morning Coffee is a robust blend of links to news around the internet concerning the Naval Air Station Patuxent River economic community. The opinions expressed here do not reflect opinions of the Leader’s owners or staff. The US Naval Air Systems Command grounded a subset of V-22 Osprey aircraft last week due to hard clutch engagement issues with the tilt-rotor aircraft, reports…

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USCG Investigates Passenger Deaths

The US Coast Guard is investigating several deaths and injuries of US citizens that took place on passenger vessels recently traveling in Antarctic waters. In one incident, two US citizens died when an inflatable boat from the Portuguese-flagged passenger vessel, World Explorer, capsized with six passengers aboard near Elephant Island, Antarctica.

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Chinese Balloon: Spying or Blown Off Course?

Chinese Balloon

A Chinese balloon’s three-day trip across the US ended Saturday afternoon off the coast of South Carolina after an F-22 fighter jet fired a missile at the balloon, puncturing it. There is much criticism of how the incident was handled as well as many questions about what the balloon was for.

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Navy Shuts Washington Dry Docks for Seismic Activity

The US Navy has suspended submarine repair work at four dry docks in Washington state, following new concerns about their ability to withstand seismic activity. The concerns relate to dry docks 4, 5 and 6 at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard as well as the dry dock at Trident Refit Facility Bangor.

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US Military Weapons Sales on the Uptick

Military Arms Sales

US military weapons sales to other countries saw a major increase in 2022, up nearly $51.9 billion.

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USAID Seeks ‘Novel’ STEM Contractors

STEM

The US Agency for International Development wants federal contractors to help develop “novel ideas” to launch new professional Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fellowships. USAID wants to award contracts for a program in late summer 2023, with the agency hosting the first set of fellows some time next year.

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