GAO Critical of How F-35 Spare Parts Are Tracked
A Government Accountability Office report reveals that more than 1 million F-35 fighter jet spare parts worth at least $85 million have gone missing over at least the past five years since the government does not have a system to track the parts.
New Kennel Keeps Military Dogs Close to Home
NAS Patuxent River Security has a new Military Working Dog kennel. Before the kennel opened, the dogs assigned to Pax River were housed at Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling more than 60 miles away. With a kennel at Pax, base security has improved its overall readiness and also cut logistical costs associated with housing and transporting the dogs off site.
MD’s Bridges Get $400M for Repairs
There are currently 273 bridges in Maryland that have been rated poor or structurally deficient, including the Thomas Johnson Bridge. The bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act includes $400 million earmarked for Maryland bridges over the next five years.
Air Force Wish List Includes More F-35s
Add more F-35 fighter jets to the US Air Force’s wish list. The service’s list for fiscal 2023 include billions of dollars for seven more, brand-new F-35As as well as EC-37 Compass Calls aircraft, hypersonic technology tests, and 26 construction projects for bases recovering from natural disasters.
Pax Alums Selected for SpaceX Mission
Two US Naval Test Pilot School at NAS Pax River alums — Nicole Mann and Josh Cassada — have been selected to command and pilot NASA’s SpaceX Crew-5 mission headed to the International Space Station next year. The pair expected to fly on early missions of Boeing’s crew capsule, but instead will ride to orbit with SpaceX.
For the CH-53K, a Real-World, Heavy-Lift Mission
A Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion completed its first official fleet mission. The heavy-lift helicopter recovered another helicopter from a mountain ridge. “Heavy lift is a unique and invaluable mission for the Marine Corps. Horsepower is our weapon system and the CH-53K is armed to the teeth,” said the VMX-1 officer in charge.
Undersea Warfare Priority for Navy
The US Navy is renewing its focus on undersea threats and has labeled anti-submarine warfare a priority for all sailors.
F-35 Office Eyes More Pilot Simulator Training
US Navy CAPT Robert Betts of the F-35 training management office said the program is looking at reducing live training hours for the fighter jets’ pilots and moving to simulators as a way to cut sustainment costs.
STEM Education Deficit Threatens US
The Pentagon’s highly respected annual report on the US defense and manufacturing industrial base targets a STEM education deficit threatening to weaken the nation’s competitive advantage in everything cutting edge.
1st Step Taken in Renaming Bases, Ships With Confederate Names
The first members of the commission to rename at least 10 Army bases and possibly two Navy ships that honor the Confederacy have been appointed by acting DefSec Christopher Miller.
