May 20, 2025

Lessons Learned in Red Sea, Ukraine

US Navy ADM Lisa Franchetti, chief of naval operations, said the service is taking lessons from its operations in the Red Sea to help US military leaders prepare for a potential future conflict with China. The service is also looking at what Ukraine has done to hold off the Russians in the Black Sea.

US Expands Military Presence in Middle East

Middle East

The US will expand its military presence in the Middle East amid growing tensions. The Pentagon has ordered the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group to the region to replace the Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group.

Sky Watchers Await Rare Celestial Event

Sky

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.

Weapons Tests at Dahlgren Prompt Lawsuit by Environmental Groups

Weapons Tests Dahlgren

US Navy weapons testing at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Dahlgren, VA, has sparked a lawsuit by two environmental groups. Environmentalists allege the tests don’t abide by the Clean Water Act.

Global Aviation on Display This Week

Aviation

The 2023 Paris Air Show opens today. Among the US military aircraft on display will be the F-25, F-15E, and F-16. Here, an Air Force F-15 and two F-35s in a training exercise May 17. (US Air National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Penny Snoozy) 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 Paris Air Show opens this week after a four-year hiatus. At this event, all things global aviation take…

MQ-4C Triton Anti-Ice Testing Underway at Pax River

Triton

The MQ-4C Triton test team conducted the first flight to assess the unmanned aircraft system’s ability to fly with wing ice accumulation January 25 at NAS Patuxent River.

DoD Outlines New Tech Strategies

Tech

The Defense Department outlined its vision for the US military to strengthen its tech superiority amid a global race for technological advantage. The plan includes a list of “critical technology areas” including biotechnology, quantum science, FutureG, trusted AI and autonomy, directed energy weapons and systems, hypersonics, and integrated sensing and cyber.

DoD Photos Take a Look Back at 2021

DoD

The Defense Department offers a glimpse into the lives and work of US military members across the globe in 2021 through the lenses of military photographers.

Sailor Charged in Assault Ship Fire

Fire

A seaman apprentice on the USS Bohomme Richard was charged late last week for starting the fire that destroyed the amphibious assault ship in July 2020 while it was docked in San Diego.

Navy Has New Ship Rules for Dealing With COVID

Rules

The US Navy now has new rules on how to continue operating in the midst of a global pandemic. The services says these plans and strategy are based on the scientific and operational lessons gained in the past seven months.