After 45 Years, F/A-18 Continues to Evolve
The Navy’s F/A-18 Hornet celebrated its 45th anniversary earlier this month. The aircraft was born at Naval Air Systems Command and developed to be a strike fighter. The Hornet introduced a level of aircraft superiority that had not been seen before and set the standard for future development of next-generation fighters. Improvements to the fighter jet ensure that it will remain the Navy’s “workhorse.”
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.
Retrofit Ordered for F-35 Fleet Worldwide
The F-35 Joint Program Office has ordered that all F-35 jets should be retrofitted with a fix intended to solve a potential engine vibration problem. This includes a global retrofit, not just for US aircraft.
2 Super Hornets, 2 Mishaps in 2 Days
Two US Navy Super Hornets suffered mishaps on consecutive days in November at NAS Oceana, VA.
US, Canada Bolster Haiti’s Security
Canada and the United States have sent “security equipment” including tactical and armored vehicles, to the Haitian National Police to help tackle an immediate health and security crisis. Haiti PM Ariel Henry has asked the international community for military assistance to quell growing violence, gang shootouts, and looting.
Lights, Camera, Action at NAS Pax
When “Top Gun: Maverick” technical crew members needed expert advice, they consulted engineers at NAVAIR. The command provided filmmakers with two F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets to modify for photography and a decommissioned Grumman F-14 Tomcat for on-the-ground scenes, as well as wind tunnel testing for the cameras.
5 Weeks, 2 Barges, 5 Tugboats. Ever Forward Refloats
The Ever Forward container ship is now afloat in the Chesapeake Bay. The operation took five weeks, two barges, and five tugboats to dislodge the 1,095-foot cargo ship after some containers were removed from the vessel.
Navy Offers Early Shipping Bonuses to Recruits
The US Navy is offering early shipping bonuses to new recruits — at least $25,000 to enlist active duty and ship out before the end of June. Some bonuses could be even higher.
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.
Deployments in Europe Likely to Remain Into Summer
The Pentagon said that thousands of troops mobilized over the past few months to Eastern Europe will most likely remain into the summer. DoD also announced that the US will send additional aid to Ukraine: $300 million more in military supplies, including drones, laser-guided missiles, armored vehicles, and machine guns.
