July 8, 2025

Women in Combat Debate Reignites

Female F-35 Pilots

President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has reignited a debate that many thought had been long settled: Should women be allowed to serve their country by fighting on the front lines?

NavSec Del Toro Violates Hatch Act

Hatch Act

NavSec Carlos Del Toro violated the Hatch Act for voicing support for President Joe Biden during a work trip to the United Kingdom in January. The Hatch Act prohibits federal officials from participating in political activities while serving in their official capacity and in their federal workplace.

Former Pax Test Pilot to Lead Next NASA ISS Mission

Test Pilot

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.

Lockheed Announces Layoffs at Pax

Lockheed Martin has announced the layoff of 176 workers at its Sikorsky division supporting the heavy lift helicopter program at NAS Patuxent River. The layoffs are effective April 27.

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.