US Builds Up Forces in the Middle East
An F/A-18E Super Hornet, attached to Strike Fighter Squadron 151, launches Jan. 30 from the flight deck of the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea. (US Central Command photo) 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 military buildup of warships and fighter planes near Iran mirrors the assets that the US has in the Caribbean, reports The Hill, as President Donald Trump weighs strikes against the Islamic Republic….
CBO Puts Price Tag on 1st Trump Battleship
The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the first Trump-class battleship could cost more than $20 billion if ordered today. Additional ships could cost anywhere from $9 billion to $13 billion per vessel.
Trump Team Wants Probe of Afghanistan Withdrawal
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team is considering creating a commission to investigate the 2021 US military withdrawal from Afghanistan. A list is being compiled of current and former military officers who were directly involved in the withdrawal, and possible court-martials are being studied.
Sky Watchers Await Rare Celestial Event
A total solar eclipse will sweep across North America today, April 8, blocking out the sun momentarily for millions of viewers along a path stretching from northern Mexico to Maine. 2017 was the last time the US experienced a total solar eclipse, and there will not be another until 2044.
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.
Flying Taxi Maker Joins Paris Airshow
While the world’s largest air show typically focused on military and commercial planes, flying taxi maker Volocopter showed up at the Paris Airshow to show it is on track to ferry customers around Paris Olympics next year. Other 2023 newcomers to the world’s largest air show included electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
MD Won’t Send Guard to Southern Border
A growing list of Republican leaders are sending their state National Guard soldiers or other state law enforcement officers to the US border with Mexico. Gov. Wes Moore (D) said last week that “Maryland’s not doing that. Right now, what Maryland is doing — Maryland is focusing on public safety here. Maryland is focusing on our schools here. Maryland is focusing on the myriad of challenges and the myriad of opportunities that we have here in the state of Maryland … .”
Dahlgren Proposes Expanding Zone for Weapons Testing
Some boaters and watermen say they are worried about a proposed expansion of the zone for weapons testing on the Potomac River. Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division filed a notice seeking public comment on expanding the middle “danger zone” that extends about 20 miles downriver from Dahlgren, VA.
US Navy Found Guilty of Piracy
A US federal court has found the US Navy guilty of pirating a software company’s copyright by using a 3D mapping software without permission. The Navy is on the hook for $154,400, plus a yet to be determined sum to be paid for damages.
At NAS Pax, Take the Pedal Off the Metal
NAS Patuxent River has lowered speed limits on base in an attempt to improve driver, pedestrian, and cyclist safety. In most areas where a change has occurred, the speed limit has been lowered to 25 mph.
